Basic Training
So, it appears that we’re at the end of the base training and about to embark on the hard work. Somehow I’ve managed to accidentally get the weeks right and start the proper training on the right week in spite of my best efforts to get it wrong. So, last week I did:
Tuesday: 1 hr interval sprints (10 mile MTB ride)
Thursday: 45 minutes of hill reps
Friday: 50 mile road ride (3 hrs 30, 1400m climbing, cut short due to thigh pain after the previous night’s hill reps)
Saturday: 1 hr 30 fast pace MTB ride
Sunday: 2 hr 30 moderate pace techy MTB ride (95% singletrack, very pedally)
Thigh pain on the road ride aside, it was generally a pretty straightforward week. The most enlightening part of it all though was Sunday’s ride at Pitmedden with James. That forest is pedally with a number of short sharp hills after the initial multi-section drag from the bottom car park and, thanks to company making me pace myself instead of just riding flat out all the time, it was a relatively easy 2 1/2 hours. The lesson to be learned here then is PACE YOURSELF. It’s only taken 10+ years to realise…. 
So, this coming week is a bit of a mess. Too tired, grumpy and weak-willed to bother with riding tonight and Real Life intrudes tomorrow night. That leaves something on Wednesday (an MTB blast or hill reps), Friday on the MTB, Saturday on the road/crossbike and Sunday on the road. All weather permitting I suppose with road being swapped for MTB if the conditions suck. Thursday night, before someone says, is always for rest. Its the law.
Things are moving, I’m still hoping that I’ve gotten this all figured out. We’ll see in a few weeks….
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Eek! That’s dedication. Keep up the good work.
BTW Thursday nights aren’t for resting – they are belly-laughing nights! Belly laughing has to count as training!
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:19 pm
it seems as though you’ve got it all planned out. i was drawing up a training plan for you too. oh well…it’s here if you need it.
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Wow, you’re taking this pretty seriously!
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Mike, Mike!!! Don’t be like that.
I have a plan but its not actually for a solo 24….any and all help is gratefully received, in particular a training plan geared towards this sort of event.
February 24th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
ok then, i’ll type it up and mail you. may take a day or two, there’s lot of it and I’ll have to tweek it to suit your and 24hr needs. can you send me a weekly diet plan, i’ll work on your nutrition too, work in some changes etc. cut out the beer,chips, pies that sort of thing.
February 24th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Beer, chips, and pies are the food of champions. Cutting those out surely can’t be a good idea?
February 24th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Mike, I shall sort it out and get it to you.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Oh, beer and pies have been cut out already. Chips, perhaps less so. Crisps too as well as chocolate. Cake is only an occasional treat at the moment too.
One thing though – Friday night is pizza night and pizza night is sacred, and not just because its when I watch The Big Bang Theory.