This week the aim was to have a really intense high load training week. In practise, it turned into a bit of a damp squib (and that wasn’t just the weather)
On Monday, I did nothing more than an hour gentle recovery ride, but the next day I had a muscle problem in the shin area. I think it was caused by walking 1 mile more than usual (i.e. one mile). I could still ride a bike, but it took the spark off the intensity.
On Thursday, I watched Vasily Kyrienka climbing up the 20% slopes in the Vuelta whilst seated – not moving so much as a single muscle in his upper body. It was an inspiration to do some panic ‘core strength exercises’
Core strength exercises are a bit like vitamin pills. We know they are good for us, we just keep forget to taking them. But, when I saw a 74 kilo chap riding up a 20% gradient (@400 watts, he later said) as if he was warming up on rollers, I remembered that climbing is more than just working on the legs.
So Friday I do a few crunches (maybe 30) But, then a few hours later I get a twinge in the hamstring; of all things, I was just removing some dog do da from my front garden – It was enough to make you want to say a swearword something rhyming with ‘he’s a bit of a wit.’
I thought it might be one of those twinges you can ride away. But, this morning, on the preliminary warm up of cycling to a coffee shop, I realised there would be no explosive hill climb this weekend. Alas, I had to dns from the Swindon RC double header near Aldbourne. It included both an 8 minute and 2 minute climb. I was looking forward to both, and it was a nice change to be able to do a hill climb in the south of England. But, as the old Bard of England once remarked ‘The best laid plans of mice and men…’ – on the positive side, I can put my feet up and watch the last stage of the Vuelta. The feared 25% Angliru climb. I hope those guys have done plenty of core strength exercises..
I have to say I’ve enjoyed watching the Vuelta. Excellent race.
the trouble with core exercises for normal cyclists is that they are so awful that one session takes a week to get over, and once that week is over you forget to do them again!
More gardening is the answer to core strength – at least apple core strength.
Chris Horner must be a core body exerciser fanatic, 42 years of age and he made it look, well not easy but comfortable. How can he ride so long out of the saddle, do they train to do that ?.
Could you be overtraining Tejvan ? in the 60 yrs. I have been on this planet, I have come to realise that the body (brain) can do little tricks i.e. muscle tweaks, not pulls or tears, just niggles, if it needs you to rest or slow things down a bit.
In terms of distance and duration, it’s been relatively light since end of time trial season in mid August. But, the mind / body can play tricks when part of you wants to take it easy.
I was looking forward to crossing swords. As it happened I got stuck on the M25 and made it with not really enough time for a proper warm up which I payed for for the 1st half mile.
Finished on 8.29 – your blog says 8.32 for last year so gives you another course record to go for – I saw your time on snake which was awesome – I think this could be your best national yet. Look forward to seeing you there if not before.
Movin’ on up
Pete
Good ride Pete, sorry to miss event. National will be good this year.
Don’t you see my friends they are all doped? how come that old dude won a so called grand tour