Training Thoughts: No matter your opinions of all that is going on the one thing that is for sure there are lots of unknowns. Will we all be confined to our homes, will we be allowed to train outside, In light of the virus should we train at all & When will racing and events start back up? These are all things you may be wondering and they can lead to confusion and lack of focus on what to do next.
While I cannot say what will come of the call to home quarantine and if we will be allowed outside in seeing all that is going on and the fear that seems to be rampant it is a possibility. I tend to worry less about these things since while I can plan for them if they should take place I have little say in them taking place since others make those decisions. In times of uncertainty it is best to focus on what is certain and what one can control. Also, if you are Christian as I am it is always good to remember that no matter the circumstances in the world around us God is still sovereign and ultimately in control. Thus you can look on what is going on around you take prudent action but still retain hope that this too shall pass.
When it comes training one thing some may ask is if it is wise to train in light of COVID-19. While I say yes many wonder if we do train can we train hard or long and often the general consensus among athletes, myself included, has been that hard workouts leave one more susceptible to colds and viruses. But, there are studies that show an opposite picture that working out vigorously can in fact enhance our immune system and the colds we may get after a hard workout or race may come from other sources like lack of sleep/rest, stress or other factors. I think if I step back my issues usually coincide with a lack of sleep and thus while I may have rested physically when I miss one of the most important parts of training, sleep, I tend to suffer with colds more than just when I train hard. Below is a video with info on this subject and while I am sure there are thoughts elsewhere contrary to the video it is good info to keep in mind.
Maybe a bigger unknown for those of us who race or do other events is when will things start up and how do we train in light of the uncertainty. The video above has some good suggestions that start at looking at where you are presently with your training and how has your past training has been going. Since it looks like most events are done for the foreseeable future, I am still waiting to hear on the Dirty Kanza 200 the end of May, it may be time to cut back to an abbreviated off season schedule or maybe work on base training. If you are where I am with the uncertainty of a coming race or event that has yet to be canceled, such as for me the DK200, you may want to continue training till things are worked out – that is what I am doing. While I have changed my running plans due to Boston being postponed riding continues as planned right now till I know more. The last I heard they were looking at May 1st before they make a decision. The point in this look at one’s training at the present time is that if you step back and review where you are you can then gain a fresh outlook and work to move forward in an uncertain time.
One last thing to keep in mind in looking to the future is that if things get to a point where there is a call to not leave one’s home, as has been done in some places, there are options. If you ride there are some great opportunities with programs like Zwift, Trainer Road and Sufferfest – all of which require some form of indoor trainer but there are options that are not really that expensive. While I would like to have a direct drive trainer like a Wahoo or Tacx Smart Trainer I have a Kinetic rear wheel mount, on sale right now for a great price of $259, that while not a smart trainer does have a power meter so allows the use of virtual tools. I did see that Kinetic also has the model up from mine that is still a wheel on model but does interact with the virtual software and with the sale price is only $100 more so if you can afford the little more this is a great buy. However, if you can afford the direct drive I would suggest going that way but, again, if not the Kinetic I use at the current price is a great option. I used to train on rollers and a resistance trainer back in the 80’s and could handle no more than 90 minutes. But due to schedules and weather I have put in around 1600 miles this year on my trainer that includes 5 hundred mile rides – Zwift has been a game changer.
For running you are left mostly with treadmills and those also offer virtual options but are for sure pricier and not as interactive as the riding software. Might be good to look at some cross training that I think is good to do any way and if you already have a bike and a computer you only need a trainer, see above, and a subscription to a virtual service. You can also work on other cross training like mobility exercises and strength training. Bottom line here is to do something that works toward improvement and your time will not be wasted and give purpose to the time.
Hope this helps with some thoughts in these uncertain time. It is certain you can redeem the time and move forward even with the new obstacles that may be placed in your way. Also, having a plan helps remove stress which along with lack of sleep probably leads to more illness than any over training. Stay positive and move on down the road.
Overview of Weeks Runs and Rides:
Due to working to leave Southern California before my scheduled time which was late this week, before it got shut down and leaving would not be possible my training was reduced. I also wanted to take the week off from running to work towards healing up my Posterior Tibial Tendon (PTT) issue so did not run this week. I was able to get an easy ride in Tuesday and then with working to get home on Friday was not sure if I would get in another ride during the week.
As it happened BTMR was doing a ride on Zwift that was either a 125 (B & C) or 100 (D0 miler. I decided on the 100 miler as that was as far as I wanted to go and also the suggested Power of 1.5 – 1.9 w/kg was about where I wanted to be. Well that went out the window early as I simply went with the front group and before I knew it we were moving rapidly along and actually caught the C group. For the ride my HR was a little high but I felt good and breathing was fine. Well that was except for one spot where I was not paying attention and got to an uphill and fell off a little and had to work to get back on. While we rode pretty steady and the ride was relatively flat when we did hit a rise the pace did pick up some so had to pay attention. Slowly the D group whittled down till it was about 3 or 4 of us from the D group and then all the rest were from the C group with about 30 miles or so left. Not long after that with about 20 miles or so to go it was 2 of us left with the C group. From then on my goal was just to hang on and see how it went in the sprint. I tried one time to get away with 2 miles left but that did not work so waited for the sprint. As my trainer has a lag till the PM catches up to how hard I am going when the other D rider started his sprint I went but the lag got the better of me as I just caught him at the line but did not get past and thus got second on the stage. That all said for a ride that was probably supposed to be closer to 5 hours we did in 4:13. At the end of the day it was a good ride I had not planned on and a good end of the week. This was my 5th century of the year and all 5 on Zwift.
- Monday: Run – Rest
- Tuesday: Rest – Ride – 29.2 Miles
- Wednesday: Run – Rest
- Thursday: Rest – Rest
- Friday: Rest – Travel Home
- Saturday: Ride – 2.37 Miles (PM Calibration Ride)
- Saturday: Ride – 101.52 Miles
- Sunday: Rest
Totals:
- Running Miles – 0 Miles.
- Riding Miles – 133.1 Miles.
- Total Miles – 133.1 Miles
- Total Time – 6:09 Hours
Saturday’s Long Ride Fueling
Pre-Ride Fueling:
- Coffee with Coconut Oil and Butter, Collagen, Heavy Cream, Chocolate Primal Fuel (1 Scoop) & 1 Scoop SFuels-Life
- Vespa
- 1 Altred (Beetroot Extract)
- Also use the AMPHuman PR Lotion
- Total: 677.3 Cals & 20 gr Carbs
Ride Fueling;
- I.5 took 1 24oz bottle with 2 scoops of SFuels Train and 1.5 24oz bottle of SFuels Race
- 1 Vespa at 2 Hours
- 1 Altred at 2 hours
- 2 S!Caps at 2 hours
- 1 Maurten Gel
- Totals: 418 Calories - Carbs- 55.5 g
The Week Ahead:
As I was able to get home things will be, as best they can be, back to normal. For the coming week if I run at all it will only be once and probably no more than 4 -5 miles and will see how my PTT is. As far as riding I will try to get in at least two midweek rides to get from 50-100 miles in and then on the weekend due to the weather may do from 75 to 100 miles. If the weather changes I will try and get in a ride outside – hope a gravel one – but we shall have to see.
I just want to work on some rides in even if only on Zwift and still get in a long ride on the weekend. As I dealt with a little above since I do not know the status of the DK200 I need to train as if it is still on for now as well as a shorter gravel race the beginning of May which is also uncertain.
Last Week's Overview #39
No comments:
Post a Comment