Been putting in 35-45 mile rides the last couple weeks. Slowly making progress. Went out with my old group, NCCC for the Saturday group ride. Still have plenty of strength in my legs, just lacking stamina. I'm sure the last month of riding has gotten my legs back to pretty good shape. I don't quite have that bounce on the pedals feel that I had back at 185, now 205, but it's within reach. I'm hoping to get back down on the weight and my mileage back up to 180-200 per week soon. I'm aware of picking up the mileage too quick, but in all reality, I still have some fitness left from before and my legs aren't too far out strength-wise.
Don't know exactly where I'm going with all the training again, other than getting back in shape. It's pretty addicting, once you start getting back in shape. I love the riding and like being in shape. Always worried about the car thing, but it's just a calculated risk on a daily basis. Easy to justify not riding for long periods when you start worrying about cars anyway.
Looking forward to an easy ride tomorrow (Friday), then the group ride on Saturday again. Looks like mileage this week will be around 120 - 150.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Back at it!
It's been awhile since I've put anything of any importance up here. After my race at the beginning of February, I put cycling on a backburner for awhile. Actually, I think I went about 5 months without putting in 100 miles on the bike. First time a year and a half or so.
I tried to start running sometime in Feb, March, but just couldn't get comfortable with different shoes, custom orthotics, stretching, etc. So I gave up on that and just went idle for about 4 months. Ouch.
I've been back on my bike for the last month. It's pretty eye opening. I was in really good shape around January 1, 2010. During the month prior to the Boulevard Race, I wasn't able to keep up my training regiment, due to work constraints. I was blown away on race day, literally! I didn't warm up at all, it was pouring rain and windy. I finished 2/3's the way through the field. Pretty disturbing after all the training. I had set my sights too high and had them beat down pretty hard. I learned a lot from that ordeal. I think I was within the top 10% of my fitness on January 1. Knowing how long it took to get to that, I don't think I will be able to achieve the same fitness level by Jan 1 2011, but the race isn't until Feb, so my goal is to go back next year. I'm not gonna win, but I'm going to get back to my training, that's what keeps me in shape and competetive.
I've put on a few pounds during the off time. After all, it's river season and I've been down to our place atleast 10 times since April. Relaxing, partying, boating. Pretty much everything you wouldn't do as an athlete. My river season weight gain is complete, and I'm back on the bike. Trying to get in 120 miles/week for the next month, then step it back up to 200 miles/week.
The same routes that I used to ride are exhausting, even at a slow pace now. I'm making small improvements and will get back to a good shape soon enough. Until then, it's like towing around the back markers of my old group ride. I'm going back to NCCC tomorrow for the first time in almost 6 months. Should be painful. Talk soon.
The pic below is from my morning ride yesterday up into Ramona. Cheers!!!!
I tried to start running sometime in Feb, March, but just couldn't get comfortable with different shoes, custom orthotics, stretching, etc. So I gave up on that and just went idle for about 4 months. Ouch.
I've been back on my bike for the last month. It's pretty eye opening. I was in really good shape around January 1, 2010. During the month prior to the Boulevard Race, I wasn't able to keep up my training regiment, due to work constraints. I was blown away on race day, literally! I didn't warm up at all, it was pouring rain and windy. I finished 2/3's the way through the field. Pretty disturbing after all the training. I had set my sights too high and had them beat down pretty hard. I learned a lot from that ordeal. I think I was within the top 10% of my fitness on January 1. Knowing how long it took to get to that, I don't think I will be able to achieve the same fitness level by Jan 1 2011, but the race isn't until Feb, so my goal is to go back next year. I'm not gonna win, but I'm going to get back to my training, that's what keeps me in shape and competetive.
I've put on a few pounds during the off time. After all, it's river season and I've been down to our place atleast 10 times since April. Relaxing, partying, boating. Pretty much everything you wouldn't do as an athlete. My river season weight gain is complete, and I'm back on the bike. Trying to get in 120 miles/week for the next month, then step it back up to 200 miles/week.
The same routes that I used to ride are exhausting, even at a slow pace now. I'm making small improvements and will get back to a good shape soon enough. Until then, it's like towing around the back markers of my old group ride. I'm going back to NCCC tomorrow for the first time in almost 6 months. Should be painful. Talk soon.
The pic below is from my morning ride yesterday up into Ramona. Cheers!!!!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
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Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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Friday, March 5, 2010
Mellow Ride to the Beach
Good ride today. New pedals (Look Keo 2 Max Carbon) worked fine. I've been using Look pedals for over 15 years now on road bikes, so no surprises there. New helmet was good too, no complaints. My old helmet was dated to 2002, so it was time for a new one.
Since I'd been off the bike for awhile, my heart rate is still running higher than usual, although it is lower than the previous two rides this week. Went out through Rancho Santa Fe then up and down the coast on Hwy 101. It was just shy of 60 miles at 18 mph average with 3000 feet of climbing. It felt good to get that many miles in. Looks like the rain will hold off tomorrow am and I'll be able to get a ride in with NCCC. Don't want to go back to Ranchos right now. Too painful while I'm still getting my legs back. No herculian efforts tomorrow, that's for sure.
I did keep all my weight off during my time off the bike, which although two weeks doesn't sound like much, the previous month was really limiting on my mileage, so realistically it's been about 6 weeks off my usual 200 miles per week. I should be able to get another 5 pounds off and get the climbing thing where I want. I think 5 pounds will do it. That will put me sub 180 for the first time in decades.
Have a good weekend.
Since I'd been off the bike for awhile, my heart rate is still running higher than usual, although it is lower than the previous two rides this week. Went out through Rancho Santa Fe then up and down the coast on Hwy 101. It was just shy of 60 miles at 18 mph average with 3000 feet of climbing. It felt good to get that many miles in. Looks like the rain will hold off tomorrow am and I'll be able to get a ride in with NCCC. Don't want to go back to Ranchos right now. Too painful while I'm still getting my legs back. No herculian efforts tomorrow, that's for sure.
I did keep all my weight off during my time off the bike, which although two weeks doesn't sound like much, the previous month was really limiting on my mileage, so realistically it's been about 6 weeks off my usual 200 miles per week. I should be able to get another 5 pounds off and get the climbing thing where I want. I think 5 pounds will do it. That will put me sub 180 for the first time in decades.
Have a good weekend.
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