Hill is a Four Letter Word

In some of my earlier posts I think I may have given my followers the indication that I am not all that fond of riding UP hills. Lets clarify that point then. I am neither fond, enthralled nor excited by hills. Despite that fact that I love feeling the wind rushing by as I reach for my drops and watch my speed climb, I do not look forward to the effort it takes to get to the top. I have often thought a rope tow or T-Bar for bikes would be a fantastic idea! But alas such is not the state of affairs in cycling. Hell, hills are the reason I do not ski cross-country. Put simply, HILLS SUCK!

Seriously, hills are just another challenge we all face whether we are casual riders on a weekend ride, or a pro team rider scaling les Alpes. They require technique, training and determination. As my teammates and I prepare for our Lake Tahoe adventure the prospect of over 4000 feet of ascents looms large. As does the need to train!

Although I live on the Jersey Shore and for the most part the dunes along Sandy Hook are the biggest climbs, you do not have to wander far inland to find a few short but steep hills. OK, compared to the Sierra they are mere speed bumps in elevation, but the grades are up there with some of the steepest Tahoe offers.

Beginning this afternoon I plan to take advantage of the added hour of evening daylight. Within a few rpms of my home are several 100-150 ft hills. Not the 7100 of Spooner Junction with its 9 mile ascent but some small steep hills. I have put together a series of loops that will take me up and down them 6 times in a 10 mile circle. I plan to start with 2 loops and add 1 a week until I can do them without burn and without losing cadence. I know the coaches have plans for some of the major ascents in the nearby mountains of north west New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania which i both look forward to and dread, but I plan to be prepared when we get to them.

When the going gets tough I will just have to remind myself of why I joined Team In Training. No matter how high the hill, 0r how much my legs burn or lungs ache, this is a far easier course than life with blood cancer. I know that one too, and while I was lucky with my leukemia, too many can not say the same. And many are so young they can not even express if for themselves or even comprehend what is going on. When my legs burn on those hills I will think of them and that thought will get me over the top, just as your support will get us closer to the top of the fight against Leukemia, Lymphoma and other blood cancers.