Wednesday July 9 rides

[mudmucker]

I'm on vacation. I love vacation. After yesterday's wilting in the noon heat, I said I wouldn't go mid-day again. I lost track of time with stuff I was doing in the morning and soon it was nearly 11 am. Shoot. But then I knew a front was coming through so I timed it. I said I'll wait till the clouds start coming in so it'll be cooler, and jump in on a ride before the actual rain. All I needed was an hour because I was going to do a short hill ride. My tendonitis is completely gone and I wanted to do some hills. So about 1:30 it got cloudy and I went out. Not only that, some very strong breezes were blowing to cool me off. Wind didn't matter to me today because I was going to be riding hills.

I go north into Royalston which is up. I like to use this route as a training hill. I also like to use this route to measure my fitness level and see where my legs are really at.

I had a very slow start to the season with some ailments and fit issues that I had to resolve. I know at this point I am not in the same condition as I was at this time last year and I may not get there at all. I'm not getting the distance miles in and I doubt at this point that I will actually do any real long rides. However, I have to stop comparing to last year's fitness level - it's counter productive, it takes the fun out of the riding, and if I try to match last year quickly I could re-injure myself. I vote for fun. If I can continue to do 30 miles errands by bike and commute to work then that will make me happy this year.

So I thought I was going to inflict myself with a painful ride but I ended up feeling great. I was spinnin' with the planets today, universe was aligned: clouds cooled things off, my legs felt great and had no pain, ankles and knees formerly with tendonitis was gone, hills did not re-aggrevate knees, I went up the hills feeling strong and good, and I didn't get winded except on a couple of sections (need to get a new HR monitor though). So although my legs and joints are stronger than I thought, I was still lacking in a bit of power (ok, compared to last year) but then, that's what training hills are for. Each time I do this route I can see a difference in the very next ride. So, next ride will be better. I am lacking in endurance still - I was glad when the last hill was finished and glad that it was only 12 miles - it was enough. But it was a good day.

So now post ride my legs feel great. Have I said I LOVE my new carbon shoes with Look Keo pedals?