kerry4sam & her first Cycling Training Log

kerry4sam

blorg wrote: »

If you can do this sort of speed on a road bike, on a TT bike you almost certainly would have made the podium in last months womens national TT championships. In your first week of cycling. And this is an increase from 22km in 45 mins... Only the day before (itself an extremely fast solo speed for a beginning rider.)

Something is off about your numbers for sure. But it doesn't particularly matter; the ROK is not a race and your main focus should be upping the distances before worrying about the speed. Keep at it.

Cheers for the feedback blorg. It's my first time in serious competitive cycling, but not cycling per sé.

Lumen wrote: »

40km in 1:05 on a hilly route on a normal road bike with no training? I'm sorry but I just don't believe it.

The fastest women in our interclub league do 1:06 or thereabouts on a flattish course with aerobars. One of those is amongst the top few triathletes in the country and another is on the national development squad.

Sure there are faster women than that but that's after large volumes of training for years, natural talent and highly specialised equipment and optimal aerodynamic position. The Irish Women's 25-mile record is about 55 minutes.

Once I alter my terraine Lumen I am sure that the stats will change considerably.

Beasty wrote: »

Maybe clarify one thing kerry4sam - was it a circuit/out and back route that you did that 40k, or was it one way (and indeed were you riding solo or with others)?

If it was one way, that could explain a lot, as a tailwind and net descent would make a lot of difference to your speed

It also really could be a calibration issue with your computer - what type is it and what wheel circumference is input?

I'll clarify no bother. I started with the circuit to get the km's up and as I stated previous, I'm not hitting that max speed too often. It's all down to terraine and as I stated ^^^ once I alter my terraine, my stats will undoubtedly change also. Riding solo at the moment although I've a few clubs in mind that I'll be getting in touch with after the 11st August so should hopefully make the cycles all the more enjoyable.

These are the stats as I am training to date. My routes will be changing to suit the RoK terraine, no choice with that you know. You'll no doubt notice too the change in my stats I'm sure.

***

I'm pushing myself too much for the first 40km and suffering for the latter. For me to complete my 70km in around the 2hr mark I will have to pace myself better. All that will come with practice and patience over time.

I'm just doing my thing, just enjoying my cycling and the routes I've been taking to date. Familiarity of routes is also helping with my timing no doubt.

kerry4sam

kerry4sam

Knowing I won't get out cycling tomorrow I pushed myself today and travelled further. Just pushing and pushing myself taking a few water breaks, more on return admittedly.

I done 59.78km in 2hr5min in one cycle this evening. Up to now, I would do 38-40km and stop for work or other commitments and then again cycle in the difference to 70km.

Today though I just kept going and that's what I finished with. I won't forget the feeling of reaching my destination before turning and knowing I would have to return back and then thinking 'right! who will I phone if I can't actually do this' but it was okay! I took more smaller stops taking in fluids and the beautiful scenery and before I knew it, I was back on the home-stretch.

70km in 2hr by end next week, based on my cycle today does seem do-able to me & I will persevere. Early Sunday morning again is the plan as of now for kerry4sam's next venture. I think I'll be in need of a good long cycle in the wee hours of Sunday morning

Beasty

kerry4sam, what other sports have you been doing and at what level? You are clearly physically very fit, but it usually takes time to translate general fitness into "cycling fitness" given the different muscles typically used. One sport that does seem to translate very readily is rowing for example. Also if you've been spending a lot of time on gym bikes that could help explain how you've taken to road cycling so well.

Whatever the reasons, keep it up, but as I've alluded to before watch out for overdoing it. You seem to have fantastic potential within this sport and if over time you can work out a training plan (no rush at present, but maybe start thinking about what you may be able to do over the winter) you should be able to go a long way. The critical thing in many ways is to keep enjoying what you are doing. That certainly helps reduce the risks of overtraining.

Lusk Doyle

What device do you use to record your rides?

kerry4sam

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

What device do you use to record your rides?

It's a wireless odometer/speedometer with something like 8settings on there. I didn't fit it but a local bike mechanic purchased and fitted it for me once I told him what it was I was looking

Lusk Doyle

kerry4sam wrote: »

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

What device do you use to record your rides?

It's a wireless odometer/speedometer with something like 8settings on there. I didn't fit it but a local bike mechanic purchased and fitted it for me once I told him what it was I was looking

Ok. What are your route profiles like? What were the wind conditions like? I'm trying to understand how you went from approx 27kph average to 29kph average and then leapt to 37kph average in the blink of an eye. Like Lumen said previously, I just don't buy it.

I don't mean to be offensive to you but it just sounds too good to he true. I consider myself to be a fairly strong club rider but I cant manage that average on my own and I'm up at the business end of our league.

I'd love to know what you are doing that I'm not!

Beasty

I suspect there may be a calibration issue, as I alluded to earlier. If a mechanic set up the computer he may not have adjusted the wheel circumference properly. If, for example, the wheels are 650c (typical for ladies bikes) and the computer is set for 700c (typical for mens bikes), the speed would be overstated by perhaps 8% or so. If the tyre size is not properly factored in this could give rise to further discrepancies. Even with such adjustments though kerry4sam would still be recording some very impressive speeds

CH3OH

Kerryforsam.
I hope you won't mind me making a suggestion.

I put the route I travel in googlemaps and use get directions from A to B to give me a distance.
I find it tallies exactly with the distance my cycle computer registers for my cycle.. Anyway just a suggestion

kerry4sam

kerry4sam

I've done smaller cycles in the interim but nothing to be writing up about:
Firstly: To you guys in the blue hi-ace van that followed me around on Monday night at 11:30pm I've your reg noted and now I've seen who you are, just need to get a name from a guard for who that hi-ace is registered to if it happens again! It pissed me off :mad:

Today I done my same route as day#9 but with fewer stops meant I returned sooner so made up the extra km's with random routes. I done 64.58km in 2hr 5mins so my 70km route on 11th August is in the bag for me now

I've gained a lot more respect for cyclists since I purchased my lickle dawes so I am. From reading your threads around boards and what you encounter whilst cycling is only hitting home with me now and especially how close some of those drivers actually are to you when passing out :eek:

Nothing major to note today only one seriously delira kerry4sam with my 64.58km in 2hr5mins

kerry4sam

Caroline_ie

kerry4sam wrote: »

I've gained a lot more respect for cyclists since I purchased my lickle dawes so I am.

I hope you get the time to reply to the nods at this speed What size bike to you ride? Is it that ickle?

kerry4sam

Just checking in to keep my log going:

Training is still going well and I'm just a week from my first cycling event :eek: Jeez don't know where the time has gone!

Delighted that I purchased my first racer; delighted that my training is going better than expected by me; delighted to have this release from everything else going on.

The wording below is pretty apt for me

Lusk Doyle

No distances or speeds of note to report?

RossieMan

i hope this thread is wrong, or i'm getting severely beaten by a girl.

DirkVoodoo

When do we get to see some pics of the "lickle Dawes" against the backdrops of Kerry? It's kinda mandatory round these parts to put up photos of your steed!

smacl

RossieMan wrote: »

i hope this thread is wrong, or i'm getting severely beaten by a girl.

Sounds fun, though should probably be in after hours

kerry4sam

Delira & Excira so I am & having smiled for the majority of the cycle, delighted with the training I had put in to get to this, my 1st Charity Cycling Event!

Thanks to the organisers of the Ring of North Kerry Cycle. When I mark the Ring of South Kerry off my bucket-list I will remember this day where for me, I truly felt I could achieve my goal!

Three days ago I found a route with hills & climbs that I repeated and repeated after reading about the two tough climbs for today. Today, they were grand!

I am proud of myself for taking this challenge on and seeing it through. I don’t make commitments to anyone, including myself that I don’t keep and thankfully that still stands true. Well chuffed!

I know the Ring of South Kerry is within my reach now and will be looking into clubs from here to learn from them, who would have members that would have that complete and then some!

Arrived very early after a 3hr nap last-night and set off early. Having prepped myself for the 70km route, that is what I done today. Well my odometer/speedometer came in at under 67km which I completed in 2hr 10mins. I was slightly annoyed with myself for not taking on the 120km because I had it in me, which I didn’t realise until I had finished my 67km as I felt I could just go again

Attached below, not a great picture but it was what I faced into as I headed toward Listowel / Finuge this morning – A Glorious Sunrise!

kerry4sam

kerry4sam

Just registered there for the Sean Kelly tour in Waterford 100km It is in me and it's the next challenge that I need to get me closer to the goal!

Accommodation on Saturday night also secured so no excuses now. Once I can complete this, I'm truly not that far off my initial goal, so this is the step-up that I need!

Thanks again to the organisers of the Ring of North Kerry Cycle and to flying11 for informing me of todays event

flying11

congrats on completing your first event!

heres another cycle you might be interested in, probobly more challenging than the Ring of North Kerry but if you keep training like you are at the moment you will fly up the Connor Pass - http://www.thechaingangsportives.com/

kerry4sam

Sean Kelly 100km Cycle has now been added to my achievements! Surreal Experience.

I suppose the main point I admired was that although it is an individual sport, you are never on you own. The team-work, positivity, support and enthusiasm is what really grabbed my attention today. Even during those tough times, their were people passing with words of encouragement and then more who cycled at my pace for a time until I re-found my mojo. Fantastic! No bitching, no back-stabbing, everyone was there to support each other, whether they knew you or not! Great team sport I must say I don't remember when last I prayed so much as I did in parts today (I know my nan would have been proud )

- A big shout out to the boardsies I started with, great meeting you guys! I see you've posted in the '2012 Sean Kelly thread' - you done remarkably well guys!
- Their was one hill that got the better of me and I didn’t know how close I was to the top when I hopped off and walked the remainder :mad:– but to the two ladies from Cork & Kilkenny who I met walking up – we will complete it next year! I am adamant that climb will NOT defeat me next year.
- Huge shout-out to Eoin, my dub, you’re a dote, a pure gent! Met you today, pure random conversation but we’ll meet again I am sure. That’s the thing about these events and we both know what we’re looking at from here so…

To the comics who painted the smiley on the climb along with “The fun is only beginning” – Jeez lads I’d say you were laughing by the end alright! That climb is the one that got me, and I was so damn close to the top too but didn’t know it. In saying that though, tbh, if my fitness was up to it then I would have kept going, but it wasn’t. So thanks for the smile lads, it made me laugh anyways as it got me!

The organisers, support, volunteers, everyone involved today – Sincere Thank You. Remarkable day out that I will repeat next year for sure.

From the moment I arrived to see the 160km participants all lined up ready and rairing to go, the sheer volume of people along with the tension and excitement in the air is something that I won’t forget. Surreal.

Fantastic Days cycling for me and I was proud of myself too. To see my levels of fitness improve; to have two memorable cycling achievements now under my belt and great memories to co-incide. I am delighted that I have commenced my journey to the mark the ROK 2013 off my bucket-list. It is do-able, not far from my reach now which I realise after todays cycle. Delighted to have cycled the 100km Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford in just over 4 1/2hrs.

I need to put some thought into my next challenge after speaking to people en route today and they adding their own personal insights with the cycling they have done to date.

Thanks again to everyone though, both involved with the Sean Kelly tour of Waterford and everyone who has supported me on my cycle today and to date

kerry4sam

Pembily

Well done, you did great time! Was wondering when you would fly off on me :P That hill got the better of me too, if you had any idea of when the top was it might have helped but around each bend it just seemed to get higher and longer

Well done

kerry4sam

There is some great reading in this thread by varying boardsies that participated. I want that thread linked in here also as a memento

kerry4sam

Pembily wrote: »

Well done, you did great time! Was wondering when you would fly off on me :P That hill got the better of me too, if you had any idea of when the top was it might have helped but around each bend it just seemed to get higher and longer

Well done

Ah jeez girl. When that group of 7lads came up alongside chatting to me, their pace was matching what I was used to travelling at. Next thing I knew :eek:


I stopped at the 60km marker and everyone there was just lovely! Great breather had there by me I must say and I was delighted I did stop. I remember looking at my odometer not too long after that mark and thinking this is when I'd normally be finishing, but then looking up their was nothing ahead but climbs.

We'll get that climb next year hun! You hear me?! 2013 and we'll climb it! :pac:

Raam

Pics or it didn't happen

kerry4sam

Raam wrote: »

Pics or it didn't happen

As soon as/If I spot myself in the pics online, I'll post em

Pembily

kerry4sam wrote: »

Ah jeez girl. When that group of 7lads came up alongside chatting to me, their pace was matching what I was used to travelling at. Next thing I knew :eek:


I stopped at the 60km marker and everyone there was just lovely! Great breather had there by me I must say and I was delighted I did stop. I remember looking at my odometer not too long after that mark and thinking this is when I'd normally be finishing, but then looking up their was nothing ahead but climbs.

We'll get that climb next year hun! You hear me?! 2013 and we'll climb it! :pac:

It's great when you get into a group, I am hoping that next year my pace will be faster and I can join a group!

Next year that is my hill to beat! We can do it! As one of the kids at the side of the road shouted to us as we passed "You can do it"

I never find any pics of myself, thankfully :pac:

kerry4sam

Pembily wrote: »

It's great when you get into a group, I am hoping that next year my pace will be faster and I can join a group!

Next year that is my hill to beat! We can do it! As one of the kids at the side of the road shouted to us as we passed "You can do it"

I never find any pics of myself, thankfully :pac:

Here - Best of Luck in your 140km too! I'm sure you'll do great. This was a great tester I found to know what needs to be done from here. Since we're both aiming for ROK2013 too, your 140km will be a greater marker. Best of Luck with it

The support en route was lovely The kids really got enthused didn't they! Yeah that'll be complete next year by us! We will be better prepared for it.
Yeah, doubt I'll see pix of myself online, that's okay too though

kerry4sam

I've chosen the Rebel Rider 85km cycle on 15th September 2012 as my next challenge. It was a close call between that and The Conor Pass Challenge both falling on the same day.

I've gone with Cork for a few reasons. Namely, the scenery is something I would like to experience on my bike; I have no need to rush getting to the 180km level just yet; I've done the Ring of North Kerry already along with the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford so I'd like to branch out and have a wee tour of Cork next

Training was hit by illness recently but I'll be back on my bike shortly and will be more than ready for my 85km Rebel Rider Tour Saturday week!