Katie is a recreational runner turned mountain biker, turned swimmer, turned triathlete, turned road cyclist, now ready to turn amateur road racing cyclist. While still new to the world of swimming and cycling there is one thing Katie is well seasoned in: setting goals, learning how to accomplish them, and then crushing it.
Follow along as she shares lessons, triumphs, and setbacks from committing to a cycling-specific training plan over the Winter of 2025, to going hard in the Spring and Summer of 2026.
Ultimately her goal is to break open the mysterious world of bicycle racing to show folks that sometimes the best way forward is to take a turn and start a new journey.
“My hope in writing about my experience is that I can share something
-Katie
that inspires you to try a hard, brand new goal, too!”
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Concept2’s SkiErg World Sprints Challenge
According to Concept2’s (“C2”) website, “the SkiErg offers a total body exercise that builds strength and endurance using the motions of cross-country skiing.” That description belies its true nature as a cardio weakness exposing piece of machinery fully equipped to make your lungs, core, and legs burrrrrn. When I started working on the Finance team…
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Not recommended: a chaotic training pattern
When I started to consider cycling-specific training, in my mind’s eye, I copied and pasted what I know about endurance running onto an indoor trainer. My assumption was I’d ride 5 times a week, building up my time on the bike with one long ride on the weekend. Once I was three weeks in, I’d…
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My indoor training plan experience with TrainerRoad
After signing up for a TrainerRoad (“TR”) subscription, I input my “A” races for the season. Working with their training plan builder on a PC was a better experience than a mobile device. My main goal is to peak while racing the Green Mountain Stage Race in early September 2026. Training in 12-week blocks also…
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Choosing between TrainerRoad and Zwift
Many of my experienced cycling friends and mechanics at Vermont Bicycle Shop recommended using the app TrainerRoad to prepare for the 2026 season. Another option I’ve seen friends use on Strava is the app Zwift. My research into the two has distinguished these key differences: TrainerRoad can build a training plan with AI that automatically…
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Ask and the universe will deliver strength training
I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed by the undertaking of creating a race schedule and training plan. It’s the classic, chaotic, overcommitted pattern I have, but I’m putting it out to the universe that I need help with the endeavor. That seems to be working in my favor because today while I was at…
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Knowledge and support from the Vermont Bicycle Shop
As I shared in Ode to My Bicycle and Bicycle Fitting, I am getting a shiny road bicycle for racing from Vermont Bicycle Shop in Barre, VT. I’ve been visiting them since I got into mountain biking in 2021, and they’re a welcoming, supportive team. When it comes to buying a road bicycle, I am…
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Bicycle fitting
Am I the only one who tried to fake their eye exam for years as a kid…? I started wearing glasses at 8, and even though I was clearly not able to see, I didn’t want to fail the test, so I acted ultra confident. I squinted as hard as I could and tried to…
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Ode to My Bicycle
After succesfully completing my first road race in September 2025, I will be retiring my beautiful commuter bike from races. Don’t worry, she’ll pedal on, just not in the most demanding circumstances. In collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle Shop, I will be riding a Trek Madone SLR 7 AXS Gen 8. Ode to My Bicycleat…
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My training time commitment conundrum
Whether it’s training for a marathon, an endurance swim event, a bicycle stage race, or other feat of fitness, preparing to be in peak shape at the right time takes hours every week for months. As a professional with an office job and commitments outside of work, the time component needs to be considered up…
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Planning my race schedule
Living in the age of AI has its benefits: a rookie like me can access advice to pursue what might otherwise be out of reach. How do you define a dream? It scares me, it thrills me, and I’ve already started self-sabotaging by not biking at all since Labor Day weekend. So, it’s probably a…