Training Log: 50-Mile Bike, Trail Running, and Recovery Fuel

August 24, 2025

50 Miles on the TT Bike

Today was one of those training days that felt like three workouts rolled into one — because it basically was.

I started the morning locked into the TT bike for a 50-mile ride on the trainer. Average pace: 19.8 mph. Not bad considering my butt was still wrecked from yesterday’s ride around Lake Wawasee. Let me tell you — bike seats should come with a warning label. I had headphones in and locked onto two new episodes of Chris Griffin’s The Pocket Podcast. If you ever wondered how long you can stay in one spot sweating buckets while contemplating your life choices… the answer is apparently 2 hours and 30 minutes.

And that was just part one.

Trail Run at Chain O’Lakes

After the ride, I stood up and immediately realized the arch of my foot had other plans. A gnarly cramp had me rolling in pain on the yoga mat, and Rikki and I spent the next hour massaging, scraping, and foam rolling just so I could walk, let alone run.

But somehow, by the time we hit the trails at Chain O’Lakes, everything clicked. Perfect 68° weather, dry trails, and legs that felt like they were floating. We cruised 4 miles at an 8:45 - 9:00 pace and crushed it. Running together with Rikki always makes the work feel a little easier (don’t tell her I said that).

Recovery = Food + Mobility

You can’t outrun (or out-bike) the fork.

After the run, we went into full refuel mode: three plates of arroz con pollo from our favorite Mexican spot in Columbia City, half a watermelon, a whole carton of strawberries, and two bowls of cereal.

Add it all up: roughly 3,000 calories in under two hours. Champion-level eating. If eating was an Olympic sport, I’d be a contender.

Headphones back in, I spent the afternoon stretching, doing mobility, and convincing myself that yes, eating that much was “for recovery.”

Gear Shoutouts

Training like this wouldn’t be possible without the right gear. I’ve been living in my Arena swimsuits and goggles — seriously, they’ve nailed the balance of high quality and affordability. I can buy multiple items from Arena for the cost of just one piece from other brands. Durable, comfortable, and ready for abuse.

Buoy & SUP

And for safety, which people in the comments seem very concerned about... I never get in the lake without my Sunlite Sports Swim Buoy 20L. Bright, reliable, and basically a neon-orange peace of mind. If you are in the market for a swim buoy I highly recommend this one. 👉🏼 https://amzn.to/41SJJTe

Rikki and the crew trail me on our Feather Light inflatable paddle boards. They roll up, pack easily, and have been rock-solid for everything from sunrise shoots to long support sessions. Follow this link to check them out. 👉🏼 https://amzn.to/4lLOGVg

Reflections

This training block has been massive — 130+ mile weeks stacked together. I’m tired, yes, but I feel strong, hungry, and excited to see just how far I can take this.

Big shoutout to everyone who’s been supporting me — signing up for the newsletter, following the blogs, sending messages and encouragement. It matters more than you know.

Mental note to myself: remember why this started. The goal wasn’t medals or records — it was to be healthier, to be better. Every mile, every stroke, every cramp I scrape out is just one step closer to being the best version of myself. And that’s a journey worth sharing.

— Jace

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