This morning I was browsing their website and read this...
Venus de Miles is a lot of things, Northern Illinois' first all-women's road ride a celebration of sisterhood, support for Greenhouse Scholars, and crazy fun – but one thing it’s not is a race. So, don’t be afraid to walk your bike up that hill, and, most importantly, enjoy yourself.
It put things into perspective and set me at ease. Venus de Miles is not about how fast I can cover the miles. It's about a fun experience with fabulous endearing women. Yes, the mileage itself will be a challenge... I signed up for the 61 mile event, but there is also a 25 mile event. I may have a sore booty the next day, but surely I can do this! Yes, I can!
 |
| Her Majesty (my bike) was so good to me during my first triathlon |
Six-Week Training Goals
Spinning / indoor cycling: 2-3x each week
This can't change much since I teach classes.
Outdoor road ride: 2x each week
One fast tempo ride of 7-10 miles
One comfortable paced ride of 20-35 miles
I wish I had devised a more definite training plan, but to be honest, I've never done real cycling training. It's always been a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of thing for me... mostly dependent on the weather and scheduling. I did a little research looking at training plans for the bike, but there's not nearly as much out there as compared to running. And most plans talk specifically to the illustrious Century Ride. It kinda overwhelmed me and I quit reading. I'm not up on the cycling lingo and admittedly have a lot to learn about the sport. I'm a huge book hound... so I am looking for a great cycling book. Any riders have a recommendation??Next task... What shall I wear?!?
Who wants to be my training buddy? Hold each other responsible for the miles and learn from one another... and then meet up on July 28 at the Venus de Miles women's bike event!!
If you'd like to be a part of this exciting ride, enter below to
WIN A FREE Venus de Miles REGISTRATION!!
It's gonna be EPIC fun!
Are you a West Coast gal? Check out the Colorado Venus de Miles event in September!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I would love to do this ride and be your buddy! I have several friends doing the ride, and I think it would be so much fun!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd, my cycle experience isn't very strong, but I do like to ride. I find that like running, I don't eat before I ride because otherwise my tummy gets too upset.
DeleteI'll do it with you!
ReplyDeleteThe more cycling I do, the more I'm loving the sport! I'll be your buddy, and maybe you can teach me a few things along the training way. Bonus, my schedule is wide open!
ReplyDeleteI hope to be back out riding by the day of this event. On May 24th I was out on a training bike ride fot the Trinona Triathlon when I was struck by a pickup truck that did not see me and turned right in front of me. A trip to the ER via ambulance revealed a broken left hand:( At my follow up appt, it was determined I needed to have surgery to pin the bone. After I get the pins out in 2 weeks, PT will be the next step. It is hard for me to be idle and I am hoping the dr will give me the go ahead to start some exercise up again tomorrow...feeling like a slug! This would be a grwat motivator once I can get back on the bike!
ReplyDeleteThis Sole Sister would love to do it but need to start training again, preferably with someone. I love to have more to do than I can possibly fit into a day - makes life one BIG ?.
ReplyDeleteI've done the RAIN ride for the past 2 years, a 160 mile, 1 day ride across the state of Indiana. Like you, I have never really utilized a "real" riding training plan & wing it. I've survived, barely, lol!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome ride!!!!!!! I did it last year and am doing it again, but I would love to win the free entry so I could bring a friend.
ReplyDeleteI am doing our local Ride for Roswell next weekend. 30 mile bike ride. I haven't really created a training plan; I've just been getting in as many miles as I can. I would seriously be so excited to get the opportunity to meet you and participate in this event!
ReplyDeleteI don't have much cycling experience, husband and I bought bikes a few months ago, so I've just started riding, so no advice for you.
ReplyDeleteI have very little cycling experience... but I want to get more! a better bike would help, but for now, it's just me and my trusty Trek from 1997.
ReplyDeleteBest advice thought: Just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling, pedaling, pedaling!
I would LOVE to win, I have heard so many great things about this race and the awesome after party!
ReplyDeleteWow, how awesome of you to do a giveaway! Would love to win, but even if I don't, would love to get together and train with ya! I love riding the Salt Creek Trail in Villa Park leading out to Arlington Heights. I ride 15-20 miles currently ... Don't sweat race day, your going to do great! ♥
ReplyDeleteand I'm doing the Women's Rock race too!! Only I'm doing the 10K!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I would love to win this giveaway! I'm actually just gearing up training for my first tri, so I don't have a lot of bike advice for you. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I would love some motivation to get out and ride. All I ever do is run.
ReplyDeleteJust doing my first sprint tri this weekend. I don't know if I'm going to be into triathlons for the long-haul, but the cycling is definitely fun!
ReplyDeleteI would love to do this ride! How is it possible I live in the area & don't know about this? It's a beautiful section of trail to ride, you're going to so enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI love riding in addition to running (I'm training for the Chicago Marathon this year). Be sure to do a few long rides prior to this one. I started to run a lot better when I incorporated long rides into my training schedule.
ReplyDeleteYou look sooooo skinny in your picture with your bike! I need to dust off my bike, give it a whirl & see if I want to do a sprint triathlon. I hate sweating in the already hot summer, though, so wish me luck.
ReplyDeleteyou deserve to win - just for that skinny comment! LOL Thx!
DeleteSo I don't have a road bike. I have a townie. Can I still do this? I"m really not set on going super fast but I would love to challenge myself to finish the short course.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win, but the longest I've ridden is 13 miles. I'd have a lot of training to do!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win. I wouldn't say I'm an avid cyclist or anything like that but I do love to ride.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win. I wouldn't say I'm an avid cyclist or anything like that but I do love to ride.
ReplyDelete