Brains and Heart - Smart Training.

A few years ago I wrote a brief blog post about the difference between Epic v. Intelligent Training.  At that time I was training for the Race Around Ireland.  (This is the Race Report for the Race Around Ireland).

I've learned a great deal about how to train for significant ultracycling events over the years.  I'm hoping that this year (2019) demonstrates what it is that I have learned.  In short: train from the neck up; race with all your heart.  

As the Spring weather has arrived and the snow and ice has retreated I find myself well on my way toward the three goals of training: 

1. consistency; 
2. volume; 
3. and intensity.  

Yesterday was `intensity': a very tricky, dangerous and powerful factor in effective training.  Compounding the training is a practical recognition of my age (73) and how that impacts effective training.  

I'm doing quite well with consistency.  Four and five days each week on the bike; either the stationary bike or cycling on the road (depending upon the training task and/or the weather).  Volume is picking up, as well.  A few hundred plus mile training events and several fifty mile plus training events.  

Yesterday I introduced (carefully) intensity to my training.  A sixty-five mile spikey course (Four Laps in Skull Valley).  This is a 16.2 mile out and back with about 725 feet of spikey climbing on each lap.  

Today was an active rest day.  That is, I put in two hours on the stationary trainer doing easy spinning.  I was tired from yesterday.  I felt significant leg muscle soreness from yesterday.  My body tells me to back off a bit. 

Tomorrow I'll be back on the Skull Valley course, probably four laps.  But with less intensity.  And the next day ... a combination of volume and intensity on a different course.  Next week, Saturday, I'm off to do a 200 mile invitational (Hemet, CA,).  Training task?  Volume.