Training going very well

[Helene2013]

I'm very proud of myself.

I've been following a personalized program for the past month now. Went to see a Kinesi/PT to help me reach my goal to get through a challenge of 135km, in a hilly part of Quebec City this coming June.

I've never ridden more than a 50km at once. I was totally out of shape due to injuries that stalled me for almost a year. Only PT exercices were allowed. So I'm starting at square 1.

I'm more a runner (which no longer allowed) than a cyclist, at least to road cycling. More like a "tourist" type = ride slow, stop, look around, take a break, get bored, get back, ride some, stop again. hihi

Things are changing since I can't run, I need to find a challenge. Hubby is into a cycling club (I'm not) and he's hooked so I got hooked too to cycling, at least trying hard and getting there.

So my trainer is making sure I train hard to reach my goal, weaning me off gently from treadmill to get on more to my road bike, which is on a Kinetic rock and roll trainer.

So far so good. She is totally impressed by my results after a month. I am very dedicated, she gets a daily report of the whole shabang: my speed, heart rate, watts, cadence, distance done, etc. Thanks to the Kinetic inride software she gets the whole data. I can't really cheat. hihi

She also built me a program for muscles as she is serious on making sure you have good muscle mass just as a good cardio. So I alternate days with cardio, and muscle work-outs. I get 2 days off per week (which I should use to walk or do outdoor fun!), or do nothing if I feel a need to rest my body.

But so far, I have gained good steady speed, can use good cadence on bike, etc. She is also adding to my muscle training since I'm good. She is paying attention to the previous injuries (so they do not come back, or worsen my knee condition).

So I'm very happy that I have improved faster than she thought, getting stronger, and losing that stomach buldge I had. Still there, but not as much, without dieting.

She said I'm more advanced than scheduled so when I see her in month she will schedule for my Vo2 test. That will be the last stretch to that challenge that is awaiting me. She said no doubt that I will be ready for it.

So my 6hrs of training per week is paying off. And the nice thing is that it is not even hard to do. I jump on the bike/treadmill as soon as I get home from work at 4:30pm. Need to get it done then, otherwise chances are I will not do it once I sit down. And I have to save time to unwind in the evening and we're generally in bed by 9:30pm at latest since we get up at 4:15am (hubby gets up early for work, so the whole house is waking up with him. argh)

So for those who are thinking they can never do that....trust me! It is doable. It does take dedication and pushing yourself some. But the reward is so much fun. And she makes the program so interesting to do that I never see that hour on a bike/treadmill go by. And I'm smiling the whole time. That is coming from a girl who did not like cycling much. Especially in a basement.

But I must say we are fully equiped there. We have a giant screen tv showing cyclist on a ride, my sound system blasting songs from my iPod, songs specifically chosen for that, good software....and my doggies/kitties who are staying with me, all smile. :)

I'm happy and can't wait for snow to get off our roads so I can test how good I'll truly be on long distances! :)

[ny biker]

Good for you! It's sounds like your hard work is really paying off.

[Wasp]

Congrats on the progress your hard work is paying off. You will be in great form for your ride. Just wondering what kind of tunes your listening to? I think I need a playlist like yours to get me more motivated.

[Helene2013]

Thank you. I do put the time into the training, even if some evening I'd just like to crash in recliner. But generally, it is fun so not a chore. I don't want to finish last at this Challenge. So I really have to work my butt off to gain speed, and keep my strength.

As for music, I have mostly pop/country/rock. If the beat is not fast enough when sprinting, I use a MP3 speed converter. Don't have the name at work but you can accelerate the beat, without interfering with the voice (does not sound chipmunks at all). It did miracles. So depending of my evening training plan, I can set my own songs and speed for what is needed.

I must say I have a lot of Pitbull re-mix (with his various singers), Jennifer Lopez, Enrique, Bon Jovi, Daft Punk, some Luke Bryan and Brad Paisley, of course LMFAO. As you can see, I can switch what type of sound I like/want according to what I intend to do. But it definitively gets me into deep training as I sing louder than the speakers (when not searching for my breath and concentrating on my watts or cadence). haha

The type of videos we like to look at (although we use our own programs) are something like that. They are mostly all over an hour. Very good quality, and free (but for your band width usage if you are not illimited - which we are). On a giant screen it is very nice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF3BAzSFE7g

[Donna1960]

When and where is this challenge in Quebec City? We are in the planning stages for our first trip to that part if Canada...

[Helene2013]

Quebec City on June 14th. It will do a 135km loop but we do not know the map yet. Should come out in February the site says.

You have to register for it and it is $300cdn. Limited space. Last I've heard, they were nearing 2000 cyclists, and the max is 4000. All those cyclists will meet a group of 1000 who are doing a 1000km stretch (but those you can't enter - long story short, it is by draw and teams and they need to raise x amount of money per person in the team). You also have to get all your stuff (jerseys, tags, etc. the day before the event) and be on start line at 7:30am the day of the Challenge.

Sorry, don't have the link in English. :(

[Donna1960]

Ahhhh we are planning our trip in May for our anniversary. Is this an annual event? Maybe I can check into it for next year!

[Helene2013]

So far yes. It is getting so big that they are thinking to extend the project in future years - end to end of province. I'll see if we liked that this year to redo. But from comments I read, people had a blast the past few years and keep wanting to return. Our bike shop wants us to join them in the 135km and they will lead the group and make sure they get the little push to finish for those last ones who are having issues keeping up (they'll act as leaders of groups). Waiting for more information from them. Our LBS will be the one with "repair shops" in different areas of that 1000kms as well as the 135km loop. It is a big "honor" when you are asked that also. It will be a 1st for us and I'm sure I will be very impressed. But still need to cycle all those kilometers myself. Help or not, impressed or not! hihi

[Donna1960]

Good luck to you! We look forward to your report of the ride!

[Helene2013]

Thank you. I will succeed...but if not, at least I will be in shape by then. :)