This week I nailed down the logistics and registered for our fifth Pennsylvania Dutch Farm to Fork Fondo. We’ve got four weeks to get in shape for those Lancaster hills. With two Conte’s hill rides in the books and room on the calendar for 2-3 more, I think we’ll be ready.
Heading down the lane for whoopie pies in 2019
Will Climb Hills For Food
Ever since we discovered the weekly hill ride hosted by the Falls Church Conte’s bike shop, they’ve been the foundation of my Pennsylvania Dutch Farm to Fork Fondo training plan. (My husband comes along for the ride, but doesn’t share my need to prepare–he’ll just suck it up and get through regardless.) In 2019, we did a few hill rides, but mostly did the slightly easier route hosted by the Arlington Conte’s shop. While some folks did the route on their own in 2020, we chose to ride closer to home–or from my Mom’s.
Catching our breath at the top of N. Quebec St.
My husband thinks I’m crazy, but I missed the challenge of the Quebec St. and golf course hills–or at least the sense of accomplishment once I reach the top. Someone joked that you’re either going 5 mph or 25 mph on this route. My heart data reflects the ups and downs of the course pretty well.
I also enjoy getting back to the shop for coffee and pastries from Northside Social. Luckily they have mini scones and muffins so I don’t have to choose just one.
Yes, I will climb hills for food!
This year we are going all-in on the Farm To Fork Fondo, with the “weekend getaway” package. We’ll do a ~15 mile ride Friday afternoon before the farm dinner, the ~50 mile ride Saturday, and then a ~30 mile guided tour ride on Sunday. I just hope there are whoopie pies.
Weekly Run Down
I am THRILLED to report that my Achilles is getting better (again). 🙂 This time I am really trying to hold back and recover for real. Having the Farm To Fork Fondo to give a purpose to my (indoor) cycling is helping. I’m not going to lie, though, it feels FANTASTIC to be logging a few Scooby miles again.
Tuesday and Wednesday I did 20 min Walk + Run programs, and Thursday and Sunday I did a 20 min run–with just a few Scooby stops. Yay!
I did some great Peloton rides this week too–Sam Yo’s Imagine Dragons class was fantastic, and Leanne Hainsby’s Spice Girls ride was so fun!
There’s even a special Spice Girls badge!
I tried to be more intentional with my strength workouts, and made Friday a very light day to give my legs a rest before Saturday’s ride. I also did a great 10 min post-ride stretch after we got home. See, I am learning. 😉
As for cycling, to prepare for our weekend getaway, we did back-to-back rides on Saturday (the Conte’s hills ride) and Sunday (to my Mom’s).
37 miles down; 1.3 to go.
And what a cruel 1.3 miles it is!
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up.
Are you training for anything now?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
That ride sounds so far. Good luck with preparing for the hills.
Hope your Achilles continues to improve.
I have a weakness for Starbucks pastries. Downside to going back to the office.
LOL, I’m a sucker for their brownies!
I’m glad your achilles is healing! How exciting to be doing Farm to Fork Fondo!
Your husband sounds like my dad. There was a race that we would do together every year and I would actually train for it and he would only do a few runs the week before and yet somehow he always ended up placing in his age group…lol
That’s crazy – and fantastic!
Sounds like so much fun! i’ll be putting my bike in the trainer this week, now that the swelling in my foot has gone down. I don’t think I’ll be hitting the road any time soon, tho. Glad to hear your achilles is finally settling down. Tell it to talk to my leg please!
Hah, it’s still bossing me around, so I don’t know if you want it sharing its ‘tude.
I am glad your achilles is feeling better! You are definitely ready for the cycling event. I totally agree with your assessment that you are going either 5 or 25 on that Contes ride. I don’t miss that golf course hill!
I still think it’s crazy we never did it together! You should come out some time.
That Farm To Fork Fondo event sounds like something I would enjoy. I would get the weekend package as well, especially after I saw All The Delicious Food in your 2016 post.
Please make sure to get a photo of the Whoopie Pies! I’m dying to know what they look like.
I’m pretty sure there are always whoopie pies! They aren’t very pie like — two rounds of chocolate cake with a whipped, creamy white filling.
So glad your achilles is improving! But its great that you are training for a cycling event so it will have even more time to heal. That course looks pretty tough!
Yes, I need that incentive to do something that’s not running!
I used to run for food, but unfortunately this year just not running a whole lot. But I still indulge occasionally, obviously.
I love that you & your husband can share cycling! Your weekend sounds like so much fun!
There was a Menonite woman at the farmer’s market yesterday. She had whoopie pies (including chocolate ones). I considered it, but I’d just really been wanting a cookie lately!
I’ll hike for food too. 😉
Yay for your achilles feeling better! I’m so glad you’ll be able to get back to the Farm to Fork Fondo this year – that course looks like quite the challenge!
The Conte’s hill ride is aptly named.
That cycling weekend sounds awesome!!! And it’s perfect- training for it will distract you from running too much on that achilles. Glad to hear it’s feeling better- I’m sure Scooby missed his runs!
It’s such lovely country up there — it’s always fantastic.
That’s great news about your achilles. The F to F ride sounds like all kinds of fun. I’d be all over a mini scone or two….for fuel. Haha!
Exactly, It’s fuel. The one I chose did look like it was made with whole wheat flour and had some healthy things tucked under it’s sugar-sprinkled top. 😉
Totally agree with you about Sam and Leanne’s rides – I really enjoyed both of them!
So great that you signed up for another Farm to Fork Fondo! I always look forward to your cycle outfit for that event 🙂
Well, we won’t be wearing lederhosen in August. 🙂
Great news about the Achilles! I hope it continues to improve. Enjoy the bike race!
Thanks. Now I just hope the weather cooperates.
Your Farm to Fork Fondo rides sound a lot like Ragbrai…substantial miles with a few stops in between, right? That’s great news on your getting back to running with Scooby! I’m sure he’s pleased 😉
The Farm To Fork rides are MUCH more relaxed than Ragbrai. The main goal is to enjoy the scenery and the food. 😉
ah I so wish I could ride with you!!
and it’s so good to have cycling to fall back on when you are healing!
By any chance was my friend Barb the ride leader for your Conte’s ride? She works at the Belle Haven Spooks and leads their rides, but just started leading a few of Conte’s.
How fun that you’re doing Farm to Fork Fondo again this year! I’ll be looking for a picture of a whoopie pie!
Make that Belle Haven Spokes! LOL
I’m glad your Achilles is feeling better, and I am with you. I’ll climb hills for food. 🙂
Yay on the improving achilles
that weekend cycling event sounds amazing/insane. Whoopie Pies forever
That is great news about the Achilles! Lots of miles for the Farm to Fork Fondo Ride but you will be ready. I have to check out the Imagine Dragons Ride. I think Kim also mentioned it in one of her posts.