You could say week, but it was quite a bit longer than that. I started the last stretch of training days on January 4th, and have ridden every day since then. I've had a couple good recovery rides in at very low intensity. I've done some threshold work and some upper tempo, and all around - I've just put in some great road time.
I'm calling this the Powertap Effect, because only since I put the powertap on the bike have I really had some increases in training time. But, I think it's just having a serious training plan to stick to. Last year it was pretty easy to miss a day here and there. I had a lot of 4 day riding weeks that pretty much shot long times. I've taken one day off the bike so far this month, accumulated 1150 km and 40 hours on the bike.
What changed? A training plan that supports goals. Last year, even when I was "training" for an event, you wouldn't exactly call it training. I didn't do specific intervals, I didn't pace, I didn't well... do anything other than get on the bike whenever I felt like it and ride. So, for the person that wants to change where they are and get where they want to be, I can say that the trick is to first: Set Goals. Second: Develop or Find a plan which supports your goals which can be broken down into monthly, weekly and daily events that can be checked off the list.
Of course, Old Man Winter has been especially cooperative this year. Temperatures haven't dipped below 40F much, and there's been little to no snow. I've taken a lot more rides in the rain this year, but I'm finding that tempo rides in the rain are a lot better than any ride inside.
So, what's in the schedule? Well. My Kurt Kinetic trainer got here this week. So after my rest day tomorrow, I'm going to do a MAP test on Saturday. Not sure how I'll do on it, since I'll be doing it for the first time on a new trainer, but that's kinda the point this time around. Just see how it goes in preparation for what is to follow.
Next week will be a medium intensity endurance week and after that... "Test week 1"
Test week 1 will be a run up Zentisubo on 29th, Max Sprint on the 31st, and a full MAP test on the 2nd.
I know where the bar is for Zentisuboyama. 28 min 51 secs. But that's another reason to do the MAP test on Saturday. It always helps to have something to beat when doing a test.
The first race is on the schedule now. March 4th in Kumamoto. 150km. It won't be an "A" race, but it will be a good chance to get out and challenge myself in a race environment. It's also the only race on the schedule between now and Kunisaki. I hope to find more, but I haven't been too lucky on that part yet.
VW
I'm calling this the Powertap Effect, because only since I put the powertap on the bike have I really had some increases in training time. But, I think it's just having a serious training plan to stick to. Last year it was pretty easy to miss a day here and there. I had a lot of 4 day riding weeks that pretty much shot long times. I've taken one day off the bike so far this month, accumulated 1150 km and 40 hours on the bike.
What changed? A training plan that supports goals. Last year, even when I was "training" for an event, you wouldn't exactly call it training. I didn't do specific intervals, I didn't pace, I didn't well... do anything other than get on the bike whenever I felt like it and ride. So, for the person that wants to change where they are and get where they want to be, I can say that the trick is to first: Set Goals. Second: Develop or Find a plan which supports your goals which can be broken down into monthly, weekly and daily events that can be checked off the list.
Of course, Old Man Winter has been especially cooperative this year. Temperatures haven't dipped below 40F much, and there's been little to no snow. I've taken a lot more rides in the rain this year, but I'm finding that tempo rides in the rain are a lot better than any ride inside.
So, what's in the schedule? Well. My Kurt Kinetic trainer got here this week. So after my rest day tomorrow, I'm going to do a MAP test on Saturday. Not sure how I'll do on it, since I'll be doing it for the first time on a new trainer, but that's kinda the point this time around. Just see how it goes in preparation for what is to follow.
Next week will be a medium intensity endurance week and after that... "Test week 1"
Test week 1 will be a run up Zentisubo on 29th, Max Sprint on the 31st, and a full MAP test on the 2nd.
I know where the bar is for Zentisuboyama. 28 min 51 secs. But that's another reason to do the MAP test on Saturday. It always helps to have something to beat when doing a test.
The first race is on the schedule now. March 4th in Kumamoto. 150km. It won't be an "A" race, but it will be a good chance to get out and challenge myself in a race environment. It's also the only race on the schedule between now and Kunisaki. I hope to find more, but I haven't been too lucky on that part yet.
VW