If I keep going like this I'm going to be in trouble.
Training has been a bit hit and miss again this week. Some good intervals in the turbo on Thursday and Friday, followed by a fun weekend away in Oxford. Good to see Matt & Niki and the boys again, and good to relax with a beer or two, but not good from a training point of view.
The main down side is that there was no long ride again this weekend. My good intentions of another turbo session when I got home on Sunday soon faded and we tried to get an early night. Monday was a gray day and I just couldn't summon the enthusiasm for training. A slightly randon 30 minutes on the turbo, followed by a couple of hours battling with the internal cable routing on my TT bike handlebars instead.
Tuesday Night 10 round #10 this week was an interesting night. The new base bar on the time trial bike had moved the position of the aero bars - just a little closer together. I'm not exactly Martin Johnson, but I think I've got quite wide shoulders and chest. The new position was a bit uncomfortable, and also made steering a bit difficult.
Wind was really blustery, from the side. No real help in either direction, but did bouncy me sideways a couple of times. Once, at about 9.5 miles, the quickest part of the course for me, I lurched onto the wrong side of the road. It scared the **** out of me, but no harm done.
Per formance was good. Didn't feel smooth, and was fighting the bike a bit, but came out on top. time : 25:11 just 1 sec of my PB from a couple of weeks ago. Quite a few people struggled, and many were significantly slower - so a net gain then !?!
The rest of the week again lacked motivation and energy. No more training at all. This weekend is also filling up. Saturday we will be off to see my brother-in-law to discus house stuff and the evening is the MIRA 65th celebration party. Sunday is the HCRC 25 mile TT championship. Weather is looking wet and windy. Don't think quick times are on the cards.
So, again, no long ride this weekend.
31 days to go.
Just want it to be over now.
Showing posts with label etape 2011 training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label etape 2011 training. Show all posts
Friday, 10 June 2011
Monday, 16 May 2011
Training Continues - 56 Days to go
Training has been a bit better over the last couple of weeks. Not perfect, and never quite as much as I hope, but getting back on track. The chaos of bank holidays and royal weddings didn't help.
Weekend rides are now pushing up to 50miles. A club run with Kelvin, Ralph, Joules and Marc gave about 35miles, then pushed on to Mum's in Leicester to make a 50 mile morning. The new bike shakedown totalled 35ish, but it was cold and wet, and the crank fell off. This weekend's outings of 55 (very windy) and then 45 with the club were more like it. The "Club Run" was a bit quicker than I really wanted, and a couple of miles pushing 30mph killed me off (then I got stuch behind a van in Mallory, so seeing a chance to escape, I let them go while I peeled off and trundled home), disapointed not to be able to keep up in the later stages, but it was a really good workout. Legs ached in the moring !
Add in a couple of Turbo sessions during the week, and it is looking OK.
Could do with a going a bit further this month. With only about 8 weeks to go I've got to put some work in. The calendar is looking busy though.
Weekend rides are now pushing up to 50miles. A club run with Kelvin, Ralph, Joules and Marc gave about 35miles, then pushed on to Mum's in Leicester to make a 50 mile morning. The new bike shakedown totalled 35ish, but it was cold and wet, and the crank fell off. This weekend's outings of 55 (very windy) and then 45 with the club were more like it. The "Club Run" was a bit quicker than I really wanted, and a couple of miles pushing 30mph killed me off (then I got stuch behind a van in Mallory, so seeing a chance to escape, I let them go while I peeled off and trundled home), disapointed not to be able to keep up in the later stages, but it was a really good workout. Legs ached in the moring !
Add in a couple of Turbo sessions during the week, and it is looking OK.
Could do with a going a bit further this month. With only about 8 weeks to go I've got to put some work in. The calendar is looking busy though.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Where Did February Go ?
Training was going well in January. Despite not being able to get out for the much needed long rides at weekends, I still felt I was clocking up some good hours on the turbo. Feeling that I was improving. Feeling that the legs were starting to get stronger.
Then, all of a sudden, we are in March.
I don't know why by I seem to have lost a month somewhere. The last time I went out was the 50 miles on Feb 20th, and now it is March 15th. Looking back, I had a bit of a smack playing rugby that knocked me about more than I thought ( probably a bit of concussion, whiplash ) and then a busy week at work before a week away skiing.
The results of all thosereasons excuses is that I've taken several steps back. The turbo session on Monday was really hard work, and I wasn't even close to finishing the Intervals I had got scheduled. I struggled to hold 300 watts for more than a minute. Went out again last night and really struggled to get the enthusiasm up to keep turning the pedals. I ended up watching YouTube clips on my phone while spinning for an hour. That is the first time I've ever had to find some distractions while on the turbo. Usually I'm happy concentrating on the numbers on the computer and getting the intervals done.
I need to find a big chunk of motivation and get back up to speed.
First Tuesday 10 is only a couple of weeks away
Etape is 117 days away.
Then, all of a sudden, we are in March.
I don't know why by I seem to have lost a month somewhere. The last time I went out was the 50 miles on Feb 20th, and now it is March 15th. Looking back, I had a bit of a smack playing rugby that knocked me about more than I thought ( probably a bit of concussion, whiplash ) and then a busy week at work before a week away skiing.
The results of all those
I need to find a big chunk of motivation and get back up to speed.
First Tuesday 10 is only a couple of weeks away
Etape is 117 days away.
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
200 Days To Go
200 days, sounds like a lot doesn't it ?
It is now just 200 days until the etape, not that I'm starting to worry.... much !.
Training this week has been a bit poor. I've had a nasty chesty cough and haven't done much. An hour of intervals ( 2min @ 250w ) on Wednesday. No Rugby again this week (snow). Jo went out on Saturday night, so I dragged the bike and turbo in from the garage and did a good L2 hour in the kitchen ( 80min @ 155bmp, 220-240watts)
On Sunday we went to Mum's for the pre-Christmas family gathering. Good to see everybody. Hope I didn't give anybody my cough :o/
I fell asleep for most of the afternoon, aided by a big lunch and a dose of Benilyn with a red wine chaser. Mum has announced that I've entered "some bike ride thing" so I guess there is no getting out of it now :o)
Cough is still bad, so can't see much training happening over the next few days, and then we are into the Christmas festivities. Probably won't hurt to take it easy for a bit.
Happy Christmas.
It is now just 200 days until the etape, not that I'm starting to worry.... much !.
Training this week has been a bit poor. I've had a nasty chesty cough and haven't done much. An hour of intervals ( 2min @ 250w ) on Wednesday. No Rugby again this week (snow). Jo went out on Saturday night, so I dragged the bike and turbo in from the garage and did a good L2 hour in the kitchen ( 80min @ 155bmp, 220-240watts)
On Sunday we went to Mum's for the pre-Christmas family gathering. Good to see everybody. Hope I didn't give anybody my cough :o/
I fell asleep for most of the afternoon, aided by a big lunch and a dose of Benilyn with a red wine chaser. Mum has announced that I've entered "some bike ride thing" so I guess there is no getting out of it now :o)
Cough is still bad, so can't see much training happening over the next few days, and then we are into the Christmas festivities. Probably won't hurt to take it easy for a bit.
Happy Christmas.
Monday, 13 December 2010
Outside...
The snow has gone, and the temperature has crept above freezing for a couple of days , so rugby was back on again. A pretty good afternoon gave Earlsdon a 40-3 win over Spartains. I scored a try from a flying run down the wing :o) I'll happily describe it to you in intricate detail..... "It all started just inside our own 22...."
Sunday was rugby for Fin, and then I squeezed in a couple of hours out on the bike, before Josh's cristingle service. Note the use of the word "out" - yes, I actually make it out into the real world, rather than just on the turbo in the garage. Hard work though. Lots of excuses ( cough, sore legs from rugby, not eaten enough, still early days, etc, etc) but it just about killed me.
Also first trip out for the phone + HRM. A bit annoyed thet the heart rate trace stopped after a couple of minutes, and the phone battery died after an hour. ( Map )
Spent the evening looking at the elevation trace. Leicestershire hills are so tiny compared to the Alps. I was hoping to find that some of the slopes around here would be at the 8% I'm facing (obviously not for very long, but would give me some idea of the steepness). From the traces and looking at maps, I'm not even close, and I'm struggling on these.
The reality of how hard this is going to be is not lost on me.
Sunday was rugby for Fin, and then I squeezed in a couple of hours out on the bike, before Josh's cristingle service. Note the use of the word "out" - yes, I actually make it out into the real world, rather than just on the turbo in the garage. Hard work though. Lots of excuses ( cough, sore legs from rugby, not eaten enough, still early days, etc, etc) but it just about killed me.
Also first trip out for the phone + HRM. A bit annoyed thet the heart rate trace stopped after a couple of minutes, and the phone battery died after an hour. ( Map )
Spent the evening looking at the elevation trace. Leicestershire hills are so tiny compared to the Alps. I was hoping to find that some of the slopes around here would be at the 8% I'm facing (obviously not for very long, but would give me some idea of the steepness). From the traces and looking at maps, I'm not even close, and I'm struggling on these.
The reality of how hard this is going to be is not lost on me.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Turbo Intervals
SportsTrackLive
Another turbo session done. Hard work tonight. Still feeling the cold a bit so it took good dose of will power to get outside.( not something I have a lot of ! )
Felt surprisingly good on the warm up, so stuck in a few intervals. 250 watts for 2 min. 2 min rest (200w ish). Managed 8 repeats until I started to struggle. Long warm down.
Package from PHD arrived today (very quick service) so I've got a very nice SIS Recovery chocolate drink tonight.
Feel I've missed a few sessions and I've only been going a couple of weeks, but seem to be making progress. Long way to go.
Another turbo session done. Hard work tonight. Still feeling the cold a bit so it took good dose of will power to get outside.( not something I have a lot of ! )
Felt surprisingly good on the warm up, so stuck in a few intervals. 250 watts for 2 min. 2 min rest (200w ish). Managed 8 repeats until I started to struggle. Long warm down.
Package from PHD arrived today (very quick service) so I've got a very nice SIS Recovery chocolate drink tonight.
Feel I've missed a few sessions and I've only been going a couple of weeks, but seem to be making progress. Long way to go.
Got man Flu...
Well, got a bit of a cold.
Josh is suffering with proper (6year old) Man Flu. He's had a couple of nights of broken sleep, with strange hallucination/dreams when he overheats. Not much fun for the little chap, and keeps me awake too.
Had a heavy session in the gym on Thursday lunchtime. This had a big affect on the following turbo session on Friday, when I struggled to do anything useful. Cut the session short after about 30minutes and experimented with saddle positions instead. The result is I don't like the saddle I have on the TT bike, and it causes numbness no matter what angle I have it. the saddle on the old training bike is much better, but is falling apart. Dear Santa.... ;o)
Swapped the training bike onto the turbo and did a good hour on Monday. Saddle feels a lot better.
( 60min, 220 watts, 90 rpm, 150-160bmp)
Missed the session on Wednesday because of my cold, but did manage to go to the gym today and should be able to get another turbo hour in tonight. I could even get outside and join the Club at the Mallory Park training ride ?!
Josh is suffering with proper (6year old) Man Flu. He's had a couple of nights of broken sleep, with strange hallucination/dreams when he overheats. Not much fun for the little chap, and keeps me awake too.
Had a heavy session in the gym on Thursday lunchtime. This had a big affect on the following turbo session on Friday, when I struggled to do anything useful. Cut the session short after about 30minutes and experimented with saddle positions instead. The result is I don't like the saddle I have on the TT bike, and it causes numbness no matter what angle I have it. the saddle on the old training bike is much better, but is falling apart. Dear Santa.... ;o)
Swapped the training bike onto the turbo and did a good hour on Monday. Saddle feels a lot better.
( 60min, 220 watts, 90 rpm, 150-160bmp)
Missed the session on Wednesday because of my cold, but did manage to go to the gym today and should be able to get another turbo hour in tonight. I could even get outside and join the Club at the Mallory Park training ride ?!
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Missed Weekends
Almost every training plan you come across will show long rides on Saturdays and Sundays. On a normal Saturday I'll be playing rugby on and then on Sunday I'll be recovering from playing rugby and helping coach Fin's U10s rugby team. So not much time (or energy) for that 4 hour training ride then!
The last couple of weekends have been different because rugby has been frozen off, which would have left time to ride, but we have been away visiting friends so I didn't actually get out. This is a prime example of Carmichael's "Time Crunched Cyclist", other commitments, quite rightly, outrank sitting on the bike. The time spent in Oxford and Sandy over the last couple of weekends was wonderful and I really wouldn't want to give them up. I just need to find other times to get the miles in...
The last couple of weekends have been different because rugby has been frozen off, which would have left time to ride, but we have been away visiting friends so I didn't actually get out. This is a prime example of Carmichael's "Time Crunched Cyclist", other commitments, quite rightly, outrank sitting on the bike. The time spent in Oxford and Sandy over the last couple of weekends was wonderful and I really wouldn't want to give them up. I just need to find other times to get the miles in...
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
More Snow...So going to Turbo
The snow continues to fall and temperatures have fallen to "bloody cold" so more Turboing in the garage. ( Actually think I'd be on the turbo even if it was sunny outside )
Usual story - start with fan heater on, jumpers, hat, gloves until I warm up.
Surprisingly, I didn't feel too bad. Managed to keep going for 60minutes + 15warm-up and 10 cool down without getting too bored. The novely will wear off soon I'm sure.
I've been reading a couple of new books. Todays favourite is The Time-Crunched cyclist, Chris Carmichael. An interesting read, and I love the theory, but it's not going to get me to the top of the Galibier. Back to the traditional Base Line training so a long Level 2 slog tonight.
Latest Training
http://www.sportstracklive.com/
60 minutes at Level 2
145-155 bmp
210-220 watts
20mph
90rpm.
Usual story - start with fan heater on, jumpers, hat, gloves until I warm up.
Surprisingly, I didn't feel too bad. Managed to keep going for 60minutes + 15warm-up and 10 cool down without getting too bored. The novely will wear off soon I'm sure.
I've been reading a couple of new books. Todays favourite is The Time-Crunched cyclist, Chris Carmichael. An interesting read, and I love the theory, but it's not going to get me to the top of the Galibier. Back to the traditional Base Line training so a long Level 2 slog tonight.
Latest Training
http://www.sportstracklive.com/
60 minutes at Level 2
145-155 bmp
210-220 watts
20mph
90rpm.
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