Eric Rich Macro-Hill Ride with Friends over ABP bike session?
Hi Coach, I've got another question regarding a modification-HIM beginner plan week 13-on route to 10/22/16 IM. Sunday's plan calls for a 135 minute ABP ride. Sunday there's a sponsored ride which has a 25, 50, and 100 mile option. The ride is extremely hilly. I've only done the 50 miler, but apparently the 100 mile course is even hillier. The 25 mile course is the least hilly. My friends and I do this every year and I was planning on the 100 miler this season. Right now they are thinking of riding the 25 mile course twice and I'd kind of like to do it with them.
My question is can I work this into the weekend's bike training? If I can, should I use it for Sunday's 135 ABP ride or Saturday's 240 ride? Lastly, can I ride it with my friends, who average 16.7-17.5 on the flats, versus my new Z3-4 pace, 19 hoping to get to 20? My preference would be to ride with the group 25 mile course twice at their pace, which will mean waiting at the top of hills. I'll should get a fair amount of Z3 time on hills, but it probably won't be more than 5 minutes at a time and I'll be back to Z1-Z2.
I'm already kind of feeling the social effects of IM training, yesterday I had to break away from the group several times and explain that I had to keep my heart rate up; ride an extra 20 minutes after they went for coffee; and then show up and cut out real quick after a brief conversation to do my brick run. I like hanging with my old tri friends (and the beautiful girl who joined us this season). I'm not really looking for a new hardcore group. But, I don't want to compromise my training and will skip it or otherwise modify as needed.
Thanks in advance for the input.
Comments
Fine to do this ride but harder and/or longer is better. Yes, IM training can get lonely the closer you get to the race and the more valuable/important each workout becomes. At some point you'll likely find your workout goals and the goals/culture of your group to be incompatible. And through EN and our "work works" mantra you'll likely become more and more aware of the low ROI of slower paced rides with significant admin time, etc.
But you don't need to be a total geek yet. You have time to get the hot gal on your training program
Cool! Any ride that ends with a date is a win. I ride with my GF a bit and have learned how to circle down and back up a hill until she gets to the top. And the international symbol for "stay on my wheel" is to tap your right hip/butt cheek