With the exception of five weeks in May and June I've averaged 19+ hours per week training on the bike. Out here it's not so much the number of `miles' one logs per week because of the `no-choice' climbing. So, it's a combination of feet climbed AND mile per week.
I've been averaging 15,000+ feet climbed per week for the past 6 weeks, with last week topping at 26,000 feet and 244 miles. Twenty one hours of training. So far this year I've climbed more than 400,000 feet over 5,000 miles. I'm on track to beat last year's record of 670,000 feet of climbing over 7,100 miles.
In a short while I'll be out again (Friday) for 100 miles, 10,000 feet in 9 hours. Prescott - Congress Loop
I did some gardening yesterday and my body feels like it's been in the ring with George Foreman for 15 rounds. What?!!! Gardening?
I was on my knees in the dirt, I kept getting up to get some tools, walking from one location to another in the yard, sitting in the dirt, bending over (and over and over) dozens of times. My back and glutes are killing me.
I should know better.
Cycling all those miles, developing all those muscles ... has resulted in an imbalance. I have enormous endurance. But I find I'm inhibited from walking up and down the local roads. I come back with sore feet and a sore lower back.
I have almost no upper body endurance, i.e., I can lift this and that with good strength but I tire quickly. My arms were killing me last night because of all the digging.
I should know better.
So it's time to recognize the obvious and get back on the indoor rower, do some core calisthenics and some upper body weight lifting. If I don't `plan' it into my plan it won't get done. Because, to me, it feels like I'm slacking off on cycling.
I should know better.
Or you can do more gardening... :-)
ReplyDeleteYep,yep totally identify with these statements and observations,in my case it's the wear on the 62 year old body,but I also leave off effective and important cross training,particularly when I'm putting in a lot of miles(BTW you realize I am a flat lander,no hills) and so consequently in the heat of the summer I also do little except cycle and you are right it unbalances the overall body tone because of its specificity...thanks for the reminder I may not make it out to the man cave where my gym is set up but I am going to pick up those dumbells next to the couch...
ReplyDeleteDan,
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on this. For a long time I was doing a program that involved lifting in the gym as well as exercises for aerobic endurance. Doing this program I was in much better all around condition. Now I can cycle forever but forget lifting or running. I too like my Concept rower but nothing for my money beats lifting. No doubt I too should know better. Thanks for the post.
JC