Base Training

It's mid February and the base miles and training have just started. I don't feel that I have lost to much from last season. The average speeds vs. heart rate are looking good as are soreness and fatigue levels. The biggest obstacle recently is the weather. I plow commercial and residential properties so when the snow comes I am up at 4 a.m. (or all night) and work at least 5 hours or up to 20. It messes up the schedule.

The schedule went as planned this week. I got in my hours and had my first 30+ mile ride. I rode in weather from 57 and sunny, 39 and windy (gusts 30 mph), and 30 with snow showers. Getting dressed is sometimes a guessing game. On everyone of these days I saw someone else out riding. It just reminds me that I am not the only one.

Looks like another interesting week of weather, so lets see what happens. Might be forced on the trainer. I hope not, that thing is torture.

First Week In The Journal

The weather this past week was great. Temps in the 40's or higher with some windy days, but that just adds to the resistance. The weather still looks good for the near future with some heavy rain and more wind predicted until we get back to 'normal' by next week.

I had 3 days on the bike and 1 day nordic skiing for a total of 6 hours, plus daily stretching and core alternating days. I hate core training! My weight is still way to high so I need to focus more on my diet and stop eating so late. Things are going well on the bike. No problems with soreness, cramping or fatigue. Even on my longest ride of 2.5 hours, I felt that I could have gone another hour. One week doesn't make a season, but things are starting well.

This weeks focus is on building a schedule that will help me stay consistent through April. That's when landscape work really starts. One day off, 2 days of indoor/weights and 4 days on the bike for about 7.5 hours total. This should last the next 5-6 weeks until I start base work mid March.

Time to get started

It's February already and that silly ground vermin says 6 more weeks of winter. I can't wait that long! Time to ride. Being in the plow business I haven't had much rest with all the snow flying. I have been on the bike a hand full of times over the past month and had a blast. Winter riding seems quiter. The trails at Bald Mountain have been great for winter, but the dirt roads have bitten back a couple of times. (studs would help)

Not much snow in the forcast and temperatures on the rise so riding should be enjoyable. Time to get out and see how it goes.