Ep.6 4 Weeks to Unbound: Training, Recovery, and Gear Decisions

Holly, Maggie, and Laura open the “Average Age Groupers” episode with Maggie drinking wine at a winery while Holly tries to recover from a concussion and Laura jokes she’s only starting 70.3 training after Unbound. They discuss being four weeks out from Unbound and compare training approaches: Maggie blends the Unbound/Garmin plan with triathlon training, while Holly works with coach Ann Tully, who emphasizes recovery and weekly volume over “hero workouts,” especially after Holly’s recent car accident. Maggie outlines a planned 140-mile gravel ride on the C&O Canal and a 46-mile hilly ride, while Holly expects two consecutive 100+ mile weekends before tapering. They also cover equipment planning—bigger tires, tubeless inserts, bar comfort, lights, hydration packs, nutrition, and drop-tail bibs—plus Unbound rules, checkpoints, cutoffs, and the need for support crews.00:00 Winery Chaos Intro00:55 Meet the Age Groupers03:13 Four Weeks to Unbound03:47 Training Plans Compared05:34 Longest Rides and Taper07:56 Recovery Over Hero Workouts11:30 Coaching and Life Stress14:20 Bike Shop Reality Check15:57 Gear Talk for Unbound19:22 Tires Inserts and Comfort24:47 Support Rules and Checkpoints26:24 What to Wear and Mishaps27:28 Bibs Blowout Drama28:00 Drop Tail Bib Hunt30:07 Castelli Fit And Features31:06 Hydration Pack Experiments34:00 Bike Computer Debate36:19 Travel Van And SAG Needs37:46 Course Intel And Crew Rules40:52 Cutoffs And Long Day Math42:38 Badger Ride Recap45:53 Four Weeks To Unbound47:53 IRL Pod And Sign Offhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYFKP1OYAMiMR1Ve36fOAwhttps://www.instagram.com/averageagegroupers/Anne Tully : https://annetullycoaching.com/home