When does it go beyond training and become a brutal challenge?

My training phase has moved out of the "building a base" phase and into building endurance and speed. The last few weekends I've put on a lot of miles on with some 55-68 mile rides. I'm feeling good heading into Memorial Day weekend.

This weekend I'm going to Georgetown, KY for the Horsey 100 sponsored by the Bluegrass Cycling Club. It's been a highlight of my riding season for about 5 years now. Usually the weather is pristine compared to Chicago on Memorial Day weekend. It also provides some beautiful scenery with the route flanked with multi-million dollar horse farms, while providing some challenging rolling hills. I remember joking my first year "Oh look, another hill. Oh look, another hill." But now I know what to expect and just enjoy.

Past years I've opted for the 78 mile route...86 miles last year when I got lost. At least I scored a QOM on a Strava segment during my uphill bonus miles. This year is trending to be different. Training for my Ironman AquaBike race I have scheduled into my training a century ride once a month in June, July and August. My June century was to be the MCBC's Udder Century on June 1st. That's a week away. But now I'm leaning...or should I say being pushed...to do the 104 miles in Kentucky. Well it is actually 108 since we ride to the start and back from our hotel.

I'm hearing mixed reviews about how hard the 104 mile option really is. I equate it to a fish story. The climbs and elevation gains started small and now are getting bigger and bigger. Below is the elevation map for the ride.

Total elevation over the 104 miles is said to be about 8,500 ft. Yikes. So at what point does this go beyond training and become just a brutal challenge? To be honest I'm still on the fence...it's a pretty white horse farm fence, but still on the fence. I am leaning towards doing the full century. The weather forecast is sunny and mid 70s with 5 mph winds. Yes, I need to take into account the winds.

The guys I ride with who did the century last year said "you gotta do it for the pin." I guess you get this silly pin when you complete the ride. I'm thinking from the sound of this challenge, I'll treasure that silly little pin.

Well wish me luck. If all goes as planned...108 miles Saturday, 51 miles Sunday and 47 miles Monday. So how many calories will I burn so I can inhale a Lou Malnati's pizza Monday night?

Enjoy the ride,
Sheri