Easy Rider
At this time last year, I was already two months into my indoor training regimen. But by the end of June I also felt overtrained, so this year I decided to extend my off-season and not do any heavy training until March.
In the first two months of 2009, I spent 22 training hours doing 27 workouts, but this year I’ve put only 13 hours into 14 workouts. So I’ve about halved my early-season training. That sounds right to me, since I’ve been working out once every four days, rather than last year’s schedule of exercising every other day.
Naturally, that means I won’t have the same early-season form that I had last year, but I can’t see that as a problem. I’ve still got three and a half months to prepare for my first major ride of the year! And I need to peak later in the season, since four of my five major rides this year will take place from the last week in July through the end of September. It would be a waste-as well as counterproductive-for me to work hard to be in top form in May, when I don’t need that form until August!
That means a couple things. First, I don’t need to spend a lot of time on the indoor trainer, nor do I have to grit my teeth and force myself outside to ride in 40-degree weather. And even once the weather warms up, my spring will be a time of long, slow, aerobic base miles, rather than lung-searing hammerfests with my riding buddies who (I must note) happen to be 17 years younger…
Of course, that doesn’t mean the desire isn’t there. I can’t wait to get out and spend some long, sunny days in the saddle. But since I can’t do that yet, I’ve begun organizing a pre-season dinner with a bunch of fellow riders, and worked out the entire season’s ride calendar, as well.
But you’ll hear more about that later! For now, I’m just trying to sit tight and keep a lid on my enthusiasm. We still have to get through Mud Season.