I have been relying on my indoor track (CycleOps Fluid2 trainer, TV/DVD, and KeroSun heater!). As I have said in the past, everything at this point is a training ride for the 2010 Assault on Mt. Mitchell; so I have been focusing on some specific exercises to prepare me for hill climbing, once the weather warms a little and I can go to the mountains. On Sundays and Wednesdays, I slog. I get warmed up by doing a 10-minute ladder from the big gear/middle ring, then when I reach the little gear/middle ring, I throw it on the big ring (hardest I have) and I just pedal between 55 and 60 rpm. I add time to my workout each time I do it, with a goal of one hour by the end of February. I will continue to add to it in March and April, probably switching out to my old Mercier which has a bigger big ring on it. This simulates for me the climbs which begin on Hwy 80 and keep coming till I reach the top. Also, it is cranking my heart rate which helps raise my lactate threshhold and help keep me from going anaerobic. If that happens, it's not long before game over.
Every Monday I continue to do Chris Carmichael's CTS video, "Climbing II." I track my progress each week, looking for improvement, and not coincidentally finding it. It's a tough workout, but well worth it. Lots of cadence and intensity changes with rest periods, all simulating changing road elevations. Very instructive.
I think the BEST thing I have done in the last month however, is the change in my eating/diet habits. I am now down 20 pounds! That's 20 pounds I don't have to drag up the hill!! WHoo Hoo! Unfortunately, that's just a good start, I've so much more I need to lose. And I will. I have some momentum, just have to stick with it and keep the ball rolling.
So, it's all good. I like the way things are going, making lots of progress. How's your season starting off?
Be blessed, be safe.
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