Rain gave me an excuse to get on the bike for an FTP test. New FTP is 238, up 13 in 2 months! Feeling 💪, but workouts are going to suuuuuuck until I adapt (but hey, that’s the point). Did 3 routes, #zwift doesn’t let you combine back-2-back rides so my Strava stats for the day aren’t useful, boo.

Short on time today and after Saturday’s century I figured it was time for a hard structured workout to continue my build for Bryce Canyon. Off day tomorrow and then back to running, weather permitted. Less than 7 weeks to go.

Super annoyed that the Tour de France Femmes coverage (at least in the US) seems to be nowhere near as comprehensive as the men’s race. No pre-show analysis? No profiles of the riders? Just a barebones feed. NBC is totally disrespecting the women so far. I hope I’m wrong and just missing something.

For both my 46th birthday and the anniversary of my first 100 mile run I did my first 100 mile #zwift bike ride. Thrilled to finish sub 4:45. My average heart rate was only 138 and it felt like a real celebration of me and my fitness. Lots of nutrition details in the alt text if you’re curious.

Was compelled to push hard on the bike, which is probably not the smartest move since I had a workout yesterday and a big ride planned tomorrow, but I’m at the point where I’d rather hit my limits and crash instead of selling myself short. Plus I got to fuel on chocolate cake and candy corn. #zwift

This is the most overproduced parody of itself I’ve ever seen. The parts where athletes are profiled are genuine and inspiring. But they added a movie trailer voice that was downright comedic. So many unnecessary cliches around toughness. Let the race speak for itself. Huge contrast to ultra docs.

2025 IRONMAN World Championship Documentary

YouTube video by IRONMAN Triathlon

youtu.be

Another day another mountain: Alpe du Zwift as part of threshold intervals. My aerobic system had such a good response to my last bike heavy week that I’m going to do it again. Maybe I’ll start to alternate between bike/run heavy weeks. Can feel these getting easier which means time for an FTP bump.

My schedule isn’t conducive to working out for the next two days, so rather than try to cram one in this morning I took my wife on a breakfast date and crammed a Grande Huevos Rancheros in my mouth instead. Pretty sure I’m “Doing it right”™️

Yeah, let’s not climb Mount Ventoux anytime again soon, tis a silly place. #zwift

Today‘a trail run was amazing. Nothing different, but everything just clicked. I was faster, calmer, and just felt great. It’s kind of terrifying: is this my new normal or am I going to struggle to recreate this? Also, 129 average HR? Maybe my cardiovascular system got an upgrade. #running #runsky

VO2 workout on the bike today. For me, the hardest part of The McCarthy Special is not the 27 minutes you spend in pure hell trying to keep the wheels spinning, but rather the 9 minute breaks between sets that gives you time to doubt yourself and your ability to do another set. #zwift

Forgot I had plans for late morning so I pivoted to a bike ride to see how my legs held up from yesterday; which was surprisingly well. Will do a long hilly trail run on Sunday and take my time with it. This pie was baked a few months ago, but I’m dreaming about it, might need to bake another soon.

With all the trail, bike, and speed work, it’s been 4 weeks since I did a long run on flat/paved road. Turned into my 2nd fastest HM. Added 6x30 strides in the last mile to continue to build speed. Back to trails tomorrow. Drew was only interested in how fast I could get her treats. #running #runsky

Ate a piece of big piece of cheesecake, chugged a can of Coke Zero then immediately headed out the door for a 90 minute run with 10x30 hill sprints in the middle. I felt fine the whole time. Overeating is my superpower, but I still practice it. Don’t sleep on gut training. #running #runsky

Couldn’t resist one more #zwift ride around Paris to cap off my first 200+ mile bike week (Actually 221 in 5 days). I can’t believe my legs still feel good. I guess it’s true that biking is way easier on the body than running. Hoping to see this aerobic brick stacking carry back to running.

Still stuck inside so I tried something new on the bike. 170 watts ERG for 2.5 hours. As steady a Z2 ride as I can get. Definitely more mentally tough than a free ride since you’re consistently pedaling the while time, but prevented me from pushing too hard for a 4th day in a row. Betas a rest day.

Started watching The Long Walk and while I usually have no trouble suspending disbelief, the fact that no one in this movie seems to have actually trained for this event may be a bridge too far. No training, no athletic clothing, little to no fueling, no gear. It’s ridiculous.

Air is ever worse out today so a rare 3 days in a row inside on the bike. While it doesn’t quite replace back-2-back long runs, I pushed hard with fatigued legs to hopefully continue to build aerobic base and muscle endurance. With the weather reports, it may be until Sunday that I can run. #zwift

Yesterday it was temp, today it was air quality that kept me inside. 155 AQI is unhealthy for everybody. I hope US #running and #runsky are checking the air before you go out. Replaced my long run with an equivalent #zwift ride. Hoping I can do a long run tomorrow, actively avoiding the treadmill.

97F outside means I’m bike riding inside. Same grueling workout that almost broke me 10 days ago, but with 100g carbs from Tailwind and slightly fresher legs. This was still a very tough workout but felt slightly easier than the first time I did it. Feels like progress. #zwift #cycling

It was hotter than expected, but I managed to get in my 10x30 hill sprints. I’ll likely stick to an every other week schedule for them to maintain speed during my race build-up. I would do them every week, but I think that would take away from getting enough overall very. We’ll see. #running #runsky

Woke up planning for a 10 mile hard run but couldn’t mentally get there. Asked my wife if she was up for a walk and maybe I’d take a rest day. After she declined I told myself to hop on the bike for a little bit, I could stop whenever I want but I’ll feel better after. 2 hours later… oops #zwift

Just signed up for the Salt Springs Field, Forest & Falls 50K. Best part is it's only 3 weeks before my 100 miler. I'm a firm believer in a big effort 2-4 weeks out from a race and this one has 7000+ feet of elevation gain in only 31 miles, which should do nicely to prepare my legs. #running #runsky

Salt Springs Field, Forest & Falls Trail Races

The Salt Springs Field, Forest & Falls Trail Races is on Saturday August 29, 2026. It includes the following events: 5K Race, 10K Race, and 50K Race.

runsignup.com

Was not feeling up for a long endurance workout today so did some VO2max work on the bike with Zwift’s The Wringer. No feeling of despair worse than doing 30 second intervals on 25 second legs. Was the most grunting I’ve done in a while.

I was familiar with the concept of bikepacking but not ultra bikepacking races. This was a really well made documentary on what looks like a grueling 400 miles race in the Ozarks. Any ultra endurance athlete will feel these kindred spirits.

DOOM: The Documentary | Ultra Endurance Bikepacking Race | Full Film

YouTube video by Ozark Gravel Cyclists

youtu.be

Bike day to give my body a break after two hard runs. Tour de France in the background. Accidentally chose a little hillier route than I intended but every little bit of climbing helps get me ready for September. Definitely feeling fatigued and plan to have a lazy rest of the day. #zwift #cycling

Set out to do the same 20 miles as yesterday in reverse, which gives me a chance to bomb down a steep technical hill 8 times. Everything was going well until thunderstorms showed up. 13 miles will have to do — meadows and lightning don’t mix. Still feel great about the last 2 days. #running #runsky

I feel like #running and #runsky don’t talk nutrition enough. I fuel during anything over 2 hours. Today I practiced race day: 4 hours meant 7 50g gels for a total of 350g carbs, 100mg caffeine 1,125mg sodium, and 2.5 liters of water. On race day I snack at aid stations as well. What do others do?

Matt Amato@matt-amato.bsky.social · 4w ago

With no races in last 2 months and having been working on speed; it’s been a while since I’ve done a long hilly trail run. The course felt a little easier, which I hope is a sign of improved fitness. The scary part will be trying to do it again tomorrow, reversed and on tired legs. #runsky #running

With no races in last 2 months and having been working on speed; it’s been a while since I’ve done a long hilly trail run. The course felt a little easier, which I hope is a sign of improved fitness. The scary part will be trying to do it again tomorrow, reversed and on tired legs. #runsky #running

Yesterday’s bike workout took way more out of me than I realized, so I ended up with a slow 90 minute recovery run today. It’s probably for the best since I’m planning 40 miles of hilly trails over the next 2 days. My biggest mileage week in a while. #running #runsky