I just finished riding the first and last 25 miles of the Leadville 100 course, including the St. Kevins climb, Sugarloaf Pass and the Powerline descent and climb.

Sure, it was really hard, but not impossible. And I managed it in a reasonable time with some long stops and without pushing as hard as I could. I think I can do this thing.

Tomorrow is the mighty Columbine climb. I’m really glad I’m previewing the course, this is going to make a big difference on race day.

I just got passed by a guy wearing shorts and a t-shirt riding a steel bike with sandals. Doh. I’m climbing Torrey Pines, one of my favorite hills in all of San Diego. Looking at my Garmin, I see I’m generating 272 watts – time to slow down again. I push my smallest gear over as slowly as I possibly can. My power output dips to 235 watts and I wonder what it would feel like to be passed by a chipmunk.

I used to think I understood what a “recovery ride” was. It meant you go out and have fun without hammering any hills or sprinting for town signs. Just keep the pace fun. Then I started working with Coach Colin who was much more exact about it – go out and ride, generating between 160w and 260w watts. Don’t go over 260w and average near the middle. Yikes, it doesn’t take very much for me to generate 260w.

The theory behind the numbers is that you want to be rested and fresh so you can give 100% to key workouts. If you aren’t able to go the limit, you’re can’t grow stronger. And it turns out that riding just a little bit is much better than just sitting around. And that’s how you get this balance of riding, but going very slowly.

That’s also how I arrive at my favorite hill in San Diego and get passed by the surfer on his steel bike. By the way, I did eventually catch and drop the running guy, although it was close.

How much do you have to give? I’ve often wondered exactly where my personal boundaries are, now I know. Here’s how you can find out too:

Author’s note: I’m no doctor or sports trainer, but I have a distinct feeling it’s possible to kill yourself doing this so please be careful.

Step 1 – Choose a favorite piece of road where you can ride uninterrupted, preferably uphill. Go as fast as you can. Really dig deep and give everything you have.

Step 2 – Ok, now go just a little bit faster. Is it starting to hurt yet?

Step 3 – Now, give it a little more. At this point, this exercise may seem like a really stupid idea. That’s how you know it’s working.

Step 4 – Quit being a wussy, dig deeper and go faster.

Step 5 – Your whole body is screaming at you to stop. Get mad, scream back, dig deeper than you ever have and just go a little, tiny bit faster.

Congratulations, you’ve just completed one power interval for Coach Colin. Only three more to go.

I have been working with Coach Colin from CTS for a month now and I’m starting to understand why this was such a great idea.

How it works
Working with Coach Colin is super easy. He publishes my workout schedule for the next 2-3 weeks online. My job is to perform each workout to spec and email him my data file so he can see my power, heart-rate, cadence, etc. He emails me feedback after every workout and we chat via phone 1-2 times per week.

Here are the three big reasons why this coaching program will have a major impact on my fitness for the Leadville 100.

1. Coach Colin is Big Brother

The number one benefit of working with a coach is accountability. I know that Coach Colin is patiently waiting for my data file after each and every ride. He goes through my data with a fine toothed comb and gives feedback on how I did – every single time.

When I was self-trained, it was too easy to skip a day because I was tired or busy or whatever. Since working with Coach Colin, I have not missed a single workout. Also, when I was only accountable to myself, it was too easy to do the fun workout instead of the best workout for my fitness. I can always find a reason to turn a workout into “hill day” – yeah, I like hills that much.

2. Coach Colin is Cruel

It’s really easy for Coach Colin. With just a few clicks of his mouse, I’m off grunting out big chain ring intervals or ripping my guts out trying to generate 320 watts for 15 minutes – three times in a row. I would never in a million years have tried that while self-training. The first couple of minutes are ok, then it gets harder and harder until time slows down to where seconds become minutes and then I’m just wishing I could sell my damn bike and quit!

But then I remember that Coach Colin is patiently waiting for my data file and it better be perfect so I get mad and keep pedaling – and get stronger for it.

3. Coach Colin is Really Smart

Try asking Coach Colin something like, “Hey, how does that power meter thingy help with my training?” He loves this stuff and gets all excited explaining it to you. The first few minutes are interesting and then it just starts to sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher – “wah wah wah-wah wah…” I’m glad all I have to do it pedal, because what he does sounds really hard.

Coach Colin lives for graphs like this.

The Verdict (so far…)

Overall, I’m riding fewer hours and fewer miles but get way more fatigued. I train five days a week, but since the rides are shorter it fits better into my family and work time. I feel like my fitness is higher than ever, but we’ll wait for Coach Colin to prove it with data.

I thought about coaching for a long time before I pulled the trigger, now I wish I hadn’t waited. This is way worth it.

You see, I signed up for this crazy 100-mile mountain bike race held in Colorado called the “Leadville 100”. Well, this insane race actually starts at 10,200 feet above the ocean and goes uphill from there. I can smell the ocean from my house.

No, I don’t really live at 123 Main Street.

Both Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis have raced Leadville and NOT won. I am going to have to train my butt off just to finish in the 12-hour minimum.

I tried doing the self-training thing. I read the book 12 times and built a whole series of spreadsheets. I tracked everything and was as meticulous as an engineer can be about workouts, nutrition and recovery. In the end, I lined up for a 40-mile early-season Cat 5 road race and did…

Velonews: Arlyn, congrats on finishing the Boulevard Road Race, how did you do?
Arlyn: Thanks. I dunno, good? 22 is my lucky number actually.
Velonews: Could you have done any better?
Arlyn: Well, 22nd sure seems to leave a lot of room for improvement.
Velonews: What could you have done differently to have done better?
Arlyn: Uh, good question. I’m not really sure.
Velonews: What kind of training will prepare you for the Leadville 100, one of the most prestigious ultra-endurance races in the world?
Arlyn: Uh… why are you asking me? I’m an engineer, not a coach.

Exactly! I’m not a coach. So, I got one. In fact, I hired Lance’s coach! Ok, not Chris himself, but one of CTS’s senior coaches – meet Coach Colin, a new regular here on the Adventure. We’ve been working together for about one week and I’m digging how I don’t have to spend any time thinking about my training plan. All I do is whatever Coach Colin says.

No pressure Coach Colin, but it’s all up to you now.