Training for Century, need to know how to use HR Manitor

[SadieKate]

Joe Friel (Cyclist's Training Bible) suggests a schedule for over 40 athletes that includes 2-3 weeks of training (with increasing intensity of training over those weeks) followed by a week of low intensity training to aid in recovery.

Friel's book is still in the big pile next to my bed, but the periodization concept is generally accepted. It is also important to mix up your daily rides. You should not do high intensity rides every day, or even consecutive days. Very important to mix up your daily plan and have rest days.

If you try to ride fast all the time, you'll end up too tired for speed. You'll be able to maintain a decent pace but not really be able to put out the power when you want to.

If you want something a little less daunting than Friel's book, you could try Gale Bernhardt's The Female Cyclist. She has some simple training plans based on various goals and methods to test your lactate threshold. Everyone's resting heart rate is different so you can't use someone else's numbers.

On another topic for those that may be interested, she has some interesting chapters on female physiology, anatomy, menstruation and cycling during pregnancy.

[Veronica]

It is also important to mix up your daily rides. You should not do high intensity rides every day, or even consecutive days. Very important to mix up your daily plan and have rest days.

If you try to ride fast all the time, you'll end up too tired for speed. You'll be able to maintain a decent pace but not really be able to put out the power when you want to.

Yep, SK is right. I don't ride that hard every day. More like every other day.

V.