training 3-29-13

Folsom Canal, 32.5 miles (2502.5 YTD). Birkenstein (170mm cranks). 1)221w, 2)229w, 3)262w, 4)260w.

training 3-28-13

Folsom Canal, 44.5 miles (2470 YTD). QuestXS (foothole covers, hood w/shield). N-29.4, S-29.8, N-30.2, S-30.0, N-29.5, S-29.2.

training 3-27-13

Folsom Canal, 44.5 miles (2425.5 YTD). QuestXS (foothole covers, hood w/shield). N-28.3, S-26.2, N-29.1, S-26.8, N-29.1, S-26.2.

5-mile watt test

Folsom Canal, 43.5 miles (2381 YTD). Birkenstein (170mm cranks). 1) 323w, 2)205w, 3)240w, 4)225w, 5)224w, 6)227w. I guess my peaking program worked okay. I was hoping for 300 watts and got 323. I finished off the third pass with a bogged-down, 792-watt sprint. Time to switch to higher volume and lower intensity and get into fat-burning mode.

training 3-23-13

Folsom Canal, 44.5 miles (2337.5 YTD). QuestXS (foothole covers, hood w/shield). N-25.9, S-27.0, N-26.3, S-27.1, N-26.4, S-27.5. Super easy day. Watt test on Tuesday. I lost my regular internet access so I'm not sure when I will post the results.

training 3-21-13

Folsom Canal, 32.5 miles (2293 YTD). Birkenstein (170mm cranks). 1)224w, 2)238w, 3)236w, 4)242w.

training 3-19-13

Folsom Canal, 44.5 miles (2260.5 YTD). QuestXS (foothole covers, hood w/shield). N-30.8, S-30.0, N-31.7, S-30.1, N-32.1, S-29.4. When I was training six days per week my pulse was routinely over 50bpm which for me is high. This morning I checked it three times in a row and it was 45, 43, 45 so something good is happening.

training 3-17-13

Folsom Canal, 32.5 miles (2216 YTD). Birkenstein (170mm cranks). 1)227w, 2)241w, 3)254w, 4)263w.

training 3-15-13

Folsom Canal, 44.5 miles (2183.5 YTD). QuestXS (foothole covers, hood w/shield). N-30.9, S-31.7, N-32.9, S-32.5, N-30.5, S-31.6. 32.7mph avg (32.9+32.5/2) is a single round-trip training record. It was pretty easy on the legs. The first two runs were done in a lower gear and higher cadence. It's amazing the effect it had on my breathing and heartrate. Even though they were slower with less muscular effort my heart and lungs were working hard. The next two runs, which were a PR, were much easier on my heart and lungs (and not hard on my legs). I wonder if this is a function of bodyweight. I prefer making power using a higher cadence but that is not going to happen in my present condition. I wonder if things would change if I was 20lbs lighter? Hmmm, that would be a good excuse to lose weight. If I knew it needed to be done I could do it without effort. Of course, looking more like an athlete instead of an American recumbent-riding, overweight, bike-path commando would be icing on the cake. Perhaps after my watt test I can experiment. If it happens that I end up losing power as I get lighter I can always gain it back leading up to Battle Mountain. Actually, gaining weight from a too-low bodyweight is the optimal way for me to prepare for an event from a hormonal perspective so there isn't much to lose in trying.

training 3-13-13

Folsom Canal, 32.5 miles (2139 YTD). Birkenstein (170mm cranks). 1)252w, 2)254w, 3)288w, 4)261w. With a 288 watt effort on the third run maybe I'm not hurting myself too much with plan A. 300 watts on test day is the make or break and will determine whether or not I feel worthy of stoking Larry Lem's streamliner at Battle Mountain. I'll do it either way but I'll feel a lot better knowing my threshold is at least 300 watts.

training 3-11-13

Folsom Canal, 44.5 (2106.5 YTD). QuestXS (foothole covers, hood w/shield). N-27.6, S-27.7, N-27.9, S-28.2, N-28.7, S-28.0. Recovery ride with a high cadence throughout. This felt so good. I've been feeling a bit testy lately so I know I needed it. I'm having a bit of doubt about my plan A tapering program. I probably should have did plan B. Oh well, I'll carry on and see what happens.

training 3-9-13

Folsom Canal, 32.5 miles (2062 YTD). Birkenstein (170mm cranks). 1)251w, 2)253w, 3)263w, 4)256w. Since I switched to every other day riding my legs hurt more off the bike. It must be DOMS setting in on the off days.

training 3-7-13

Folsom Canal, 44.5 miles (2029.5 YTD). QuestXS (foothole covers, hood w/shield). N-29.3, S-30.5, N-30.5, S-30.2, N-30.0, S-30.0. I started my taper yesterday because I felt I needed the rest. That'll give me three full weeks.

training 3-5-13

Folsom Canal, 44.5 miles (1985 YTD). QuestXS (foothole covers, hood w/shield). N-31.3, S-27.8, N-32.0, S-28.2, N-31.9, S-28.4.

training 3-4-13

Folsom Canal, 32.5 miles (1940.5 YTD). Birkenstein (170mm cranks). 1)215w, 2)217w, 3)224w, 4)218w. Quasi-recovery ride.

training 3-3-13

Folsom Canal, 44.5 miles (1908 YTD). QuestXS (foothole covers, hood w/shield). N-31.3, S-29.0, N31.7, S-29.5, N-31.3, S-29.6.

training 3-2-13

Folsom Canal, 44.5 miles (1863.5 YTD). QuestXS (foothole covers, hood w/shield). N-31.5, S-31.8, N-32.3, S-32.0, N-32.1, S-30.7. No wind at all. Easy ride but my speed still dropped at the end with the same PRE. Perhaps it's because of the warmer air. I have yet to take in a single drop of fluids while riding my velo. I'll start bringing a bottle. After this week I start my taper for my first event. My plan A is to switch to two weeks of every-other-day riding followed by three days off. Plan B is to keep the same routine but reduce intensity. I think I'll stick with plan A since I suspect my weak link at this time is muscle damage. The extra days off should rectify that. My first event will likely just be a watt test.