Went to spin class today. First time after doing the "spin intro" class before the holidays. (Yes, my gym here offers spin intro where we learn how to set up the bike and do a 45 min run through the various moves.) Kind of a shock this morning when the instructor opened with "I know this is listed as a 60 minute class, but is it ok if we do 75?" And of course the guy in the Bianci racing gear in front of me is all gung ho (tho he actually left after 60 anyway). But I found out that if I just refrained from watching the clock and concentrated on form, I could hang in there for the full 75, + 10 more warming up before class started. Other things I learned:
1) Keep your heels down and your toe baskets loose (or use cleats, but I won't have those until I get new pedals), otherwise your toes go to sleep.
2) You can do more than you think. Several times I thought "I'd be off the bike 'cross-training' at this point" ... then kept going thanks to music and peer pressure. But I did sit more than most folks. My knees aren't stable enough for long standing climbs or sprints ... yet.
3) Bike gear does help. With stiff-soled shoes, though my toes did go to sleep for a while, I did not get cramps under my feet. My seat also did better with bike shorts. Standing up now and then so circulation could be restored to intimate areas also helped. And circulation kept up better -- or else I was completely numb and didn't notice -- later in the class.
4) I need a new battery on my pulse clock. No sense wearing a clock with no display. Counted my pulse on my own once. Was at 160, which is probably near max for an old lady like me (56). But I was feeling ok, so I figure it does me good to get up there.
But now the big question: If all my time in the saddle from now til March is spin classes of 1 to 1.5 hours, will that be enough training for 100 km on March 25?