I have been steadily ramping up my workouts since early December with longer and harder sessions. During this entire time I have kept an eye on my recovery waiting for the signs of fatigue. I was curious how long I could continue the steady increases before I had to back it off.
I noticed earlier this week I wasn't looking forward to certain aspects of my routine so I knew it was coming. Today, after a moderately-paced spin class, I can feel the fatigue in my legs and hips. They are sore and tired and generally achy. Looking back over the last 5-7 days, I haven't been able to sleep very good and my neck and shoulders have been all bunched up.
Guess its time for an easy finish to the week.
Jan 20, 2010
Jan 15, 2010
Mid-January Report
Its January 15, time for an update I suppose.
My fitness seems to be coming along nicely. I am trying to contain my workout intensity which, depending on the day, has been interesting. Extended periods in zone 3 are getting easier, but my energy level is fluctuating and my recovery is starting to suffer a little. I think both of those are products of the weight loss program I'm following, so I am not too worried about it.
Besides, its January. I don't expect to be at a peak now. I am just now starting some muscular endurance workouts - low cadence grinding - to start working on some (any) climbing ability. I threw in some power work at the end of Sunday's long workout and was surprised at the outcome. I plan to work on the power sparingly but intensely, to build it but not burn out on it.
Back when I was lifting heavy, the best lifts I had were the ones I never failed on. Some lifts I could never seem to break through on because I would go too heavy too fast and either crash in a failed lift or hurt myself. The ones that I could work hard and not fail on kept improving. The logic is that if I keep building strength on the bike in small increments there won't be a limit to it. I know, wishful thinking but cycling has a large mental aspect to it right?
My weight was 195 this morning, the lightest I have been for quite some time. I had one anomaly day in in 2009 that I was 204 but besides that 196 was my lowest since the turn of the century. I am determined to see 190 so I can start a maintenance diet.
It is interesting that I have been laboring under the assumption that I had to have a full tank (stomach) to get through a workout. With this diet I have been purposely operating on less food, and a less-full tank. Surprisingly, I haven't died, which was always my fear. It has something to do with the old farm-boy "better-eat-all-you-can-now-because-who-knows-when-you-may-eat-again" thought process. Since changing that I feel better longer and earlier in the workout.
So, what started out to be a short blurb turned into a rambling post. Sorry.
My fitness seems to be coming along nicely. I am trying to contain my workout intensity which, depending on the day, has been interesting. Extended periods in zone 3 are getting easier, but my energy level is fluctuating and my recovery is starting to suffer a little. I think both of those are products of the weight loss program I'm following, so I am not too worried about it.
Besides, its January. I don't expect to be at a peak now. I am just now starting some muscular endurance workouts - low cadence grinding - to start working on some (any) climbing ability. I threw in some power work at the end of Sunday's long workout and was surprised at the outcome. I plan to work on the power sparingly but intensely, to build it but not burn out on it.
Back when I was lifting heavy, the best lifts I had were the ones I never failed on. Some lifts I could never seem to break through on because I would go too heavy too fast and either crash in a failed lift or hurt myself. The ones that I could work hard and not fail on kept improving. The logic is that if I keep building strength on the bike in small increments there won't be a limit to it. I know, wishful thinking but cycling has a large mental aspect to it right?
My weight was 195 this morning, the lightest I have been for quite some time. I had one anomaly day in in 2009 that I was 204 but besides that 196 was my lowest since the turn of the century. I am determined to see 190 so I can start a maintenance diet.
It is interesting that I have been laboring under the assumption that I had to have a full tank (stomach) to get through a workout. With this diet I have been purposely operating on less food, and a less-full tank. Surprisingly, I haven't died, which was always my fear. It has something to do with the old farm-boy "better-eat-all-you-can-now-because-who-knows-when-you-may-eat-again" thought process. Since changing that I feel better longer and earlier in the workout.
So, what started out to be a short blurb turned into a rambling post. Sorry.
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