Actually, this all started about a year ago when I announced to my husband that I wanted to do the Great Divide race. After an argument about the absurdity of that idea (I don't think it is all that absurd) I decided to start with something a little more reasonable. I needed something big to keep me motivated. Leadville was my compromise. I have never done a 100 mile mountain bike race, so I have created a grand plan to make sure I am ready. My first real test will be at the Cohutta 100 on April 28. On paper, this race is harder than Leadville. It has over 14,000 feet of climbing (Leadville has 12,000) and way more technical terrain. One thing the Cohutta doesn't have is altitude. That will be the subject of a different post. If I finish this race in under 12 hours, then Leadville should be no problem, right?!?
Feel free to comment or to offer up advice, I want this blog to be an exchange of information. I will post any interesting info that I come across as well. Hopefully we can all learn something along the way:)
If you have not ridden at altitude before it may or may not be an issue. I have road raced over Independence Pass (around 12,000 ft) and mountain climbed to 20,000 ft without any issues. Some people have issues though. If you have time to go early and acclimatize it's insurance.
ReplyDeleteYou better start holding your breath a lot to get used to the thinner air. I think it's awesome that you're going to do this race. I look forward to helping you achieve your goal in small ways...like secretly grabbing onto your seat on the next climb up Caesar's Head. It's all for your own good and I'm happy to help. You go girl!
ReplyDeleteOnly did something of this length once, some years ago. I was working and could not spend any sessions on 8-10 hour workouts so he had me do 2 day blocks. I would go 4-5 hours on back to back days. If you do anything like this in late June or early July, I would like to train with you.
ReplyDeleteORAMM should be in your training plan:) You may have already done it, but when Scott did it in 2010, it was 95 degrees and brutal is an understatement! Plus, it's on this side of the states and in July which equals HUMIDITY (which is our answer to altitude!)
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