Giving cycling another go. . .

[Dogmama]

I'm thinking about starting a split - I have been doing full body but as my rides get longer, the energy level dips. I had been hoping to keep as much upper body muscle as possible - knowing that endurance rides can chew into it (or so everybody says.)

I see you don't do regular squats, any reason? As I get older (ahem...) my lower back talks to me after heavy squats. I want to keep my lower back intact for powering up hills.

I like your lower body workout, though and am going to try it on my next leg day. I especially like the two hammie exercises. Cycling neglects the poor hammies.

[hibiscus09]

Morning, Dogmama! I do squats -- I'm at a resort and the gym does not have a squat rack. I have a squat rack at home and will be back there on July 5th. ;p I did stop doing them heavy, however. My everything was talking to me when I did then at 215lbs. I decided to back off on all the weight and now do them up to around 120lbs (which is my bodyweight), concentrating on sinking really deep into the movement.

I love working hammies. I wish the gym had an olympic bar, so I'll be dumbbell SLDLs and the like. I like those too, but I prefer to be able to switch up. I can at least do one leg SLDLs to switch it up some.

I tell you what -- my leggies are sure sore today!

[Dogmama]

Morning, Dogmama! I do squats -- I'm at a resort and the gym does not have a squat rack.

Funny, I was thinking my dream resort would have a full gym. I guess that proves (again) that we're different. When I go to San Fran, I chose the same hotel because it is across the street from a 24 Hour Fitness.

You are lifting some SERIOUS weight!!! 215 on squats??? You'll power up those hills! Your legs will recover in no time, I'm sure. You'll be ready for your weekend of hammering.

[GLC1968]

Ooh, thanks for the leg workout recap! Were you squating 215 free standing? Or is that on a smith machine? I thought I was strong...but damn, girl!

We've already got our milage over 50 miles on at least one of our weekend rides, so I think I'm going to try to work in a leg workout on Tuesday or Wednesday (depending if our long ride was on Sat or Sun). I'm hoping that this will allow me to get in the best recovery possible.

Thanks for the input!

[profàvélo]

Hi, Hibiscus,

I'm up in Greenville, and I'll be doing the MS 150 Breakaway to the Beach this year as well, for the third year in a row. You might want to add some beer training to your schedule...there's free beer for riders at the Darlington finish on Saturday! (I don't remember seeing any free wine.) Last year they changed the overnight location, and it was a ton of fun. In addition to the free beer, there was a yummy barbecue dinner and live music, all on the Speedway infield. We'll have to try to meet up at some point. Are you riding on a team, or just with hubby?

I hope you are having a blast at Kiawah...I'm very jealous. I love Charleston and the beaches there. I'm stuck here trying to finish a dissertation...not fun! I'm very impressed with your training plan, very organized of you. Keep up the good work.

[hibiscus09]

Thanks Dogmama!

GLC, it was free standing squats. I noticed my bootay was getting a little more muscular than I cared to see it -- so I backed off.

Hi prof! I'm suffering through graduate school torture. Summer break is a wonderful thing. I'll try to get my beer training in here at Kiawah on the golf course. I'm just riding with hubby, but I would love to meet up at Darlington!