Well it finally feels like we are starting to put winter behind us. That’s motivation for me to get more serious about my training. That and realizing that TTT is only about 14 weeks away. January was a good month for cycling. I logged over 28 hours on the bike, most of it on the trainer. I decided to keep up my ride everyday challenge through February and I have over 15 hours logged for Feb as well. I did get to go outside a few times this week which was nice, but I realized that trainer riding doesn’t totally relate to the roads. My bike fitness is much better than it has ever been in the winter, and I am seeing mph numbers higher than I usually see (even for summer/fall) so I am really happy with that. The things that get me outside are the wind and the hills that I just can’t simulate on the trainer. My RPE and HR when I’m going into the wind and/or uphill are higher than I would like them to be, but I know that will come with more time spent outside. The steady state baseline fitness is there, and I am glad to have that during these cold icy months.
Swimming is coming along. I have started swimming twice a week which is a huge improvement on my zero times a week. Swim fitness usually comes fast so I am not as worried about my times right now. I’m just ready for summer so I can swim outside.
Running is coming along very very slowly. I have maxed out at 3 miles and I am really trying to take care of my hips. The right one actually feels really good and that is the one that blew up before during and after the Chicago marathon. However, now when I hit 2-3 miles on a run I start to feel a bit of a sharp pain right on the greater trochanter of my left hip. I usually stop and not try to run through it because I can’t afford (physically and financially) to go through what my right hip went through. I think the pain might have come from the overcompensating for my right hip. I’m being good and foam rolling and stretching like mad. I’m sure it will be ok, but I just would like to be running as much as my IMLOU teammates right now!
Alright, off for a little jog with Gary and Kelty!
