Weekend Miles

I have decided to revive this blog a little.  As a cycling coach I do a lot of research on how to train and how to improve. I was never what I considered a "natural athlete". I have always had to read, research and try different approaches to training.  Everyone is different and none of my clients are on the same plan.  I figured I would start talking about my training again.  This is for a couple of reasons:

1.  People who find themselves in the same time commitments may benefit from copying my plan.

2.  For the first time in 4 years I feel like my back is good enough to really train again and be competitive. 

3.  This is probably the most important, my family is tired of listening to me talk about training. 

At the beginning of December I brought home a new bike from East Coast Bikes. My new Trek Madone 5.2. 

I really like this bike. So far I haven't had any back pain and the only foot numbness I have had is due to cold toes.  Last season my longest ride of the year was 2.5 hours.  Last weekend I did 2.75 hours with no issues.

This last week ended my first 5-week segment of base building.  As I mentioned before with limited riding time for the past 4 years, I really needed to build a good base.  Week 5 was a recovery.  I took three days off during the week and did not do any cross training or strength training.  On Saturday I did a power test.  This time of year I use an 8-minute test for FTP.  It was very motivating to see my numbers increase 14 watts.  They are not where they were 4 years ago, but I'm on the right path.  Sunday I went out on a 2-hour ride in my endurance zone.  In the last 30 minutes I started to bonk because I was dumb and didn't eat anything.  Sometimes you forget how much sugar you burn just staying warm.  I came home and ate nearly everything in the house.

I ended up with two 2-hour rides this weekend.  Again this is a step in the right direction for me and I'm very excited to continue this training and even more excited to come out strong next year.