more long riding

Honestly, this is it. Lots of long rides.
Did 180′ @ 78% yesterday, for example.
Last sunday I rode wit the Thold train for 90′ and added another 90′ by myself.

2 examples of a 3000 kj ride.

These long, not so hard rides are my primary focus over the next 2 months. I want to be doing 3500kj rides in under 4 hours. Then I’ll begin bumping the intensity of my long rides slowly and steadily by adding “interval” periods throughout these long rides, predominantly 20-60′ SST blocks.
By mid Jan. I’ll be getting a bit more familiar with Summit ave for my 2′ hill repeats, getting my legs slowly accustomed to climbing… focus on SLOWLY.

So, other than grinding out 3-4 hour tempo rides, I’m doing some recovery commutes a random z1 ride with Sari and more notably a SST session here and there… once per week seems to be the norm. I’m also taking more rest days than I normally do.
I’m still training by feel, never pushing too hard. It’s too early for that.

I forsee the indoor TT circuit as a entry into the first real LTP work of the 2010 season. Also an opportunity to really suffer for the first time in 2010. I tend to miss that deep suffering that a true effort brings. I force myself to never dig that deep until february. It keeps me mentally ready for the season plus gives a bit of a safeguard for the dreaded burnout.

The more I think about it, the more I realize how mentally taxing the indoor rides were last season. I will be TRYING to limit my indoor time this year to 3 hours per week, less if possible. An interesting goal with th 11-14 hour weeks I’ve got planned…..

all for now, thanks for plowing through my drivel.

Keep rockin, THOLD!!!

-L

One Response to “more long riding”

Ken says:

December 4, 2009 at 10:27 am

Inspiring as always el-treno. Two more race weekends for me then a brief respite before the base mile log begins. Hoping to limit my indoor time as well this winter — we’ll see if mother nature cooperates!