COOSPO BC107, a closer look at the cycling computer

 COOSPO BC107, a closer look at the cycling computer

It doesn’t look like any formal or group races will be going on for awhile.

  

I myself have been out on the mountain bike trail getting some much needed mental and physical miles in.  I have even done a few virtual challenges/races and looking to maybe sign up for another. This would be the Wine Country Challenge. I would have almost two months to complete 120 miles on the mountain bike. 

If not training for a race, these virtual races are a great way to keep active and stay healthy.  

Last weekend, on the 4th of July, I completed the 20 mile Pickle Juice Virtual Summer Series: Independence Day Rally for Dallas Off Road Bicycling Association.  I got out early to avoid the heat. The day started at 85 degrees. Hydration and nutrition is important as well as sunscreen to start the day off. 

Besides the indoor weight sessions I am working on and off and on again treadmill miles and mountain bike miles. I am trying to stay active. 

What are you doing to stay active? 

The best I've felt on the mountain bike in a long time

Crushed 20 miles this morning before the desert heat sets in.  Dare I say when I started I was a little cold with it being only 70 F degrees outside. By the time the two hour, 20 mile ride was over it was in the mid 80's. 

Not really having any planned route in my favorite mountain bike trails, San Tan Mountain Regional Park, I started on the San Tan Loop. 

I originally set out just to hit 15 miles. Planned my gel intakes at every 45 minutes and it was best I've felt on the mountain bike in a long time. 

Not really focused on speed but picking the best lines and conserving energy when I could. Hydration was key too.  Sipped on water from my hydration pack often. 

Looking forward to more of the summer and getting in the early miles before the sun rises. 

Upped the training

Upped the training, well the cycling part so far.  I hope to end this week on a high note of crushing 100 miles in my weeks worth of riding.  I know it nothing big, but it a goal I am trying for this week. I have 71 miles down and am have two more planned rides on the calendar for this week. 

Soon, even though it will be tough, I have a half-marathon to start training for. Running!  The run is not until early November and I already have a decent base below me workout wise. 

Somedays are better than others.

Somedays are better than others. It has been a long, long, long time since I did a ride or run and totally ran out of energy. Nothing left in the tank at all. I was 24 miles into a 30 mile mountain bike ride when it happened.  I had enough hydration and think it was pretty much a lack of replacing my nutrition along the way. It’s a little harder to eat while on the mountain bike because of the trail, but it can be done.  For the ride I was doing too, I went out a little hard to begin with and by doing so paid the price by not being able to complete the distance I set out for. For the little under two and a half hour ride, I burned 2757 calories and finished doing 26 miles. 

I was upset with myself that I was unable to finish the distance and focused on my nutrition and hydration the next two days afterwards. I started planning in my head doing the 30 mile mountain bike ride and finishing it. 

So Saturday I went back out to the same trails and headed out to get this 30 mile ride finished. Started off way better in the nutrition department and speed, taking it a little easier the first 15 miles. The weather was about 14 degrees cooler with some cloud cover every so often. 

The three hour 15 minute mountain bike ride came in at 32 miles burning 2571 calories.  200 fewer calories yet five more miles. The speed definitely helped maintain some of the calories. 

I mentally had to get out there and finish what I set my training goal for.  I was more relaxed and focused the second ride knowing to take it easier. 

For the past few months I have been reading “Maximum Overload for Cyclists” and using the programs for adding weight lifting into my training this year. 

I have always done weight training, but with this book and the program it has, I am more focused.  A good program, and I will focus more on a later post on how that is going and what it is all about. 

Quality Workouts During the Three-Day Weekend

22.70 miles

27.08 miles 

34.07 miles 

It was an amazing three day weekend.  I was able to ride every morning and get some great quality rides in. The weather is starting to become nicer in the morning and Monday’s ride was pretty much cloud covered and near the end sprinkles started to come down. I can recall a few years ago, not really eating much before heading out on a ride of say 20 miles or more. Half-way through the ride I would feel tired and just lose all energy I had, or thought I had. I have definitely changed up how I eat both leading up to a training ride and right before.  Of course I consume nutrition during the ride.  My total distance for the past three days has been 83.85 miles, with the furthest ride being the last day at 34.07 miles. 

Now here is my biggest jump in the next three weeks.  Bringing back the short run workouts after my rides as well as running workouts by themselves.  In my mind there are the two sprint triathlons, in October, I am working towards but have not signed up or totally committed to. 

Update Week One Marathon Training

I moved my long run from Sunday this past weekend to Saturday.  The day was suppose to be rainy all day so I was up for getting drenched.  I dropped my car off for an oil change and used the time to head out on an eight mile journey.  A little misty rain came down the first mile or so, but I quickly got into a groove and was loving the cool fresh air.  I did not really plan out a route, I just knew I was out for the eight miles.  I was trying to calculate in my head while watching my GPS so I would end up pretty close to my start point.  About four miles into my run, I was noticing ahead of me a few road closures. I knew the Phoenix Marathon was taking place that morning but had no idea what the course was.  I came across the race course twice, slowing down to watch and support those in the event.  Hit the eight miles very close to my start point and felt very strong.  My knee was great the whole run. The problem I had was the next day during the recovery.  It was a very bad day.  Knee was locking up and very sore making it difficult to walk around.  I had to keep icing it and still am three days later. The visit to the doctor Monday night kind of helped but the pain is still there.   I feel like I am a scientist trying to test the limits of my knee and see just how far it will go before it fails.   My schedule is tight this week and I hope I get my week day runs in.