Devil Mountain Dummy - January
I'm doing a monthly column for my club newsletter about my training.
Below is the January Installment
Training Continues
I have yet to have a week when I have been able to follow the actual training plan. The rest of my life keeps intruding.
For the month of January I have 370 miles of outside riding and about 8 hours of trainer time. I had hoped to get in a double metric by Jan. 31, but didn’t. Most of our long rides were in the 50 mile range. We did a lovely ride up at Point Reyes – highly recommended!
Videos
I’m using the Spinerval series of videos for trainer rides.
Ultra Core Strength video - combines core building exercises on a fit ball with technique drills on the bike. I like this video. Sometimes I get so sweaty I have an even harder time than normal balancing on the ball.
Tough Love – a three hour video for rainy weekends. Definitely need to have your own music mix to survive this.
Zoot Challenge – probably my favorite video. It’s a short 42 minute intense strength builder.
Uphill Grind – Just like it sounds. It focuses on climbing with 4 five minute “hills.”
I have a few others but didn’t use them in January.
Random Thoughts
We rode up Hamilton from Livermore Feb. 5. The return was tough, especially that first climb after the Junction. I was seriously thinking that I truly was crazy to think I could complete DMD. But we ripped through the remaining 26 miles like it was cool – averaging just under 18 MPH. I have NEVER felt so good coming back from the Junction. I guess you shouldn’t underestimate the power of Red Bull. :D
This ride was just over 95 miles with 7800 feet of climb. I discovered some things I need to work on. The first is spinning faster in my baby gears. I have to have a low gear because of my knees, but on the actual climb up Hamilton my average cadence was only 59. The second is Core strength. My lower back was so fatigued when we finished.
I seem to have the eating thing well in hand. Since my HRM is now on my handlebars I can really keep track of time. I eat on the hour and the half and drink on the quarters. This really served me well on this ride. My favorite things are Honey Stingers chocolate flavor, Hammer Gel Espresso flavor, Cliff Shot blocks and of course a few Red Bulls.
My goal for February is to get in more core trainng. My back will thank me.
