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Coach Steve’s Fitness Tour de France Challenge – July 5 – July 27, 2014 – Train Everyday the Tour Rides a Stage
Coach Steve’s Tour de France Fitness Challenge 2014
It that time of of year again, the three weeks of the Tour de France, the world’s greatest cycling/endurance event.
In honor of what the riders attempt to accomplish, we have created a Challenge for cycling enthusiast
Here’s the Fitness Challenge
- Ride your bike everyday the Tour de France rides a stage (there are 21 stages in 23 days).
- Take an Indoor Cycling class everyday the Tour de France rides a stage
- Do either of the above everyday the Tour de France rides a stage
or the 50k option - Ride your bike at least 50k everyday the Tour de France rides a stage
If you choose option #4 you will ride 1050k (652 miles) over the 23 days.
Here’s some facts from the Tour de France:
- Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2014, the 101th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,664 kilometres (2277 miles).
- The course has 9 flat stages, 5 hill stages, 6 mountain stages with 5 altitude finishes, 1 individual time trial stage, 2 rest days
- The Tour will go through 4 countries this year
My good friend Andy posted a daily stage description:
July 5 Stage 1 Sprinter mostly Flat, 3 tough little hills
July 6 Stage 2 Sprinter Flat
July 7 Stage 3 Sprinter Flat
July 8 Stage 4 Sprinter Flat
July 9 Stage 5 Sprinter Flat, “pave” oh yes, cobblestones
July 10 Stage 6 All-Arounder Flat, 2nd half lump rollers
July 11 Stage 7 All-Arounder Flat, hills just before finish
July 12 Stage 8 Climber Rolling uphill with finishing climb. Cat’s 2, 2 & 3 hills.
July 13 Stage 9 Climber Hills ! Cat’s 2, 3, 3, 2, 1 & 3.
July 14 Stage 10 Climber Hills with a finishing climb. Cat’s 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 1, 1.
July 15 REST DAY !!!
July 16 Stage 11 All-Arounder Hills in the 2nd half. Cat’s 3, 3, 4, & 3.
July 17 Stage 12 All-Arounder Hilly. Cat’s 4, 3, 3, & 4.
July 18 Stage 13 Climber Hill will a finishing climb. Cat’s 3, 1, with HC Finish.
July 19 Stage 14 Climber Hill will a finishing climb. Cat’s 1, HC & 1 Finish.
July 20 Stage 15 Sprinter Flat
July 21 REST DAY !!!
July 22 Stage 16 Climber Pyrenees. Hills. Cat’s 4, 4, 2, 3, with HC Finish.
July 23 Stage 17 Climber Hills ! Cat’s 1, 1, 1, with HC Finish.
July 24 Stage 18 Climber BIG DAY! The Tourmalet. Hautacom Finish. Cat’s 3, 3, HC with HC Finish.
July 25 Stage 19 Sprinters Flat
July 26 Stage 20 Time Trail Some fun rollers. 1 good little climb.
July 27 Stage 21 Sprinters Flat run into Paris !
I will be posting my rides everyday here on SoCalRunning.com or on my Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages. My friend Ken created a Strava group to post your rides Click Here to Join Our Strava Group.
I will also offer opportunities for people to ride with with others going for this challenge. Look for those here and Facebook.
I hope you choose to take this Tour de France 2014 Challenge. Any questions feel free to contact me: Steve@SoCalRunning.com
Watch the Tour de France
Ride Focused, Steve Mackel – Cycling Coach
Tour de France Challenge – 50k a Day / 21 Rides in 23 Days
Coach Steve’s Tour de France Challenge / 21 Rides in 21 Days / 50k a Day / Take an Indoor Cycling Class Everyday the Boys Ride
I love races. Races to keep me focused. If I don’t have a race or a goal I don’t train with the same intensity and I can find excuses for not training.
Some people love fitness challenges. I like a challenge but I don’t like “30 days or challenges” or those types of events because I like to be able to take breaks or maybe its a fear of commitment. Somedays I just don’t feel like doing some type of specific training. So, I rarely commit to these types challenges.
But I love the Tour de France and I want to feel what it is like to wake up every morning and ride like they do. I decided to create my own challenge “Tour de France 50k a Day.”
Here’s some facts from the Tour de France:
- Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2014, the 101th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,664 kilometres.
- The course has 9 flat stages, 5 hill stages, 6 mountain stages with 5 altitude finishes, 1 individual time trial stage, 2 rest days
- The Tour will go through 4 countries this year
I am going to ride 50k or 31 miles everyday the boys are riding in the Tour De France. It means 21 rides in 23 days and 1050k over the 3 week period. On a strong day it should take my about 1.5 hours. When I slow down a little or ride a hilly route it should take around 2+ hours. During the Tour de France this year I will be in Tahoe teaching at the Wanderlust Festival and spending some time in Yosemite. That means my road bike is coming with me and some beautiful scenery.
Ok, that’s great for me but how can some of my non-riding friends play with this challenge? How about taking an indoor cycling class everyday the guys riding the Tour de France? You would get 21 hours of good cardio in this 3 week period of time and if you do it right it can help your running. I’ll write a post how to cycle to help your running.
It kicks-off Saturday, July 5. Pick an option that works for you. If you have a bike ride outside, maybe work in some indoor cycling classes or create your own option. Just get motivated by one of the toughest endurance feats in all of sports, the Tour de France.
I will be posting results and opportunities to ride with me. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter. Let me know it you are up to the challenge.
Ride Focused, Steve Mackel – Cycling Coach and Tour de France Enthusiast
Pub Run from Runners High in Belmont Shore in Long Beach Tuesday, July 1, 6:30 PM
Did someone say Pub Run?
This sounds like summer fun. I missed the first Runners High Pub Run in June (I was at the World Champion Los Angeles Kings playoff game) but this time I plan on showing. The Sole Runners team took first in the first one, whatever that means. I am going to try and help there team out this time. Plus, Runner High is one of my favorite running stores in So Cal.
The details are on the banner above but quickly again:
- The Run is FREE the food and beverage is not
- Meet at Runners High in Belmont Shore by 6:30 PM ready to run – 5338 E. 2nd St. LB, CA 90803
- 3 Miles – 3 Beers or whatever you want to drink
- Wear your Red, White and Blue
- Have fun or stay home
- Please RSVP to:
Easy, fun training, with fun, cool people. That’s what I’m talking about. I hope to see you there.
Train Focused, Steve Mackel – RRCA Marathon Coach
Xterra Snow Valley Trail Race and Triathlon July 26 – 27, 2014 – Special SCR Discount
Looking for a fun, beautiful and challenging trail race? The Xterra Snow Valley Trail Races and Triathlon are worth putting on your calendar. The Trail Races are on Sunday, July 27, 2014. Below is my video from the 2013 21k (half marathon).
You can read the full race report at:
http://socalrunning.com/the-xterra-snow-valley-21k-7-28-13-race-review/
They are also offering a special for SoCalRunning.com readers. Use the code “SoCalRunning” for 15% off your your registration.
To Visit the Xterra Site and Sign-Up Click Here
My Garmin race data is below. Click “View Data” on the bottom right of the Garmin frame
Race Focused, Steve Mackel – Master ChiRunning® Instructor
FREE ChiRunning Clinic at the Dog Haus in Old Town Pasadena Tuesday, June 17, 6 PM
- Do you want to improve your running technique?
- Would you like to run faster, easier?
- Do you have questions about training for races?
- How about ending it with some “Yoga for Runners” that Coach Steve has been teaching for the past 10 years?
Tuesday, June 17, 2014, 6 PM at the Dog Haus in Old Town Pasadena, Coach Steve if offering a FREE ChiRunning® clinic for the Dog Haus Running Club followed by Yoga for Runners
All you have to do is show up with your running shoes and if you have a yoga mat that would be great too.
The Dog Haus has great hot dogs and beer. I’ll be hangin’ around to eat and answer questions afterwards.
Train Focused, Steve Mackel – Master ChiRunning® Instructor
Founder – Coach Steve
Running Shoe Store of the Month – Jan/Feb 2017
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