The goal for this week was to recuperate ready for beginning "proper" training again next week. I took Monday and Tuesday off completely. Wednesday was my 20 mile circuit to Lymm, which felt good. On Thursday evening, I had a wonderful fast paced ride in the warmth - a taste of things to come in the summer. Today (Saturday), I had planned a longer ride over to the peaks, as it's going to be hard to fit in much riding next week with the children on holiday from school. As the day wore on, I felt less and less like doing it. The 40 miles into the peaks became 30 miles into the peaks became 40 flat miles to Goostrey, became 30 miles closer to home, finally became the 20 mile Lymm loop. When I finally got out onto the road, I was surprised by the strength of the wind. My speed was ridiculously slow and I felt drained. 25 minutes in the 20 mile Lymm loop was shelved - I turned round and pushed on home. I guess I'm still not quite over the Cat yet.
The kids are like snot factories at the moment and three of us have mouth ulcers. I guess that we're all just a bit run down.
I'm not sure about riding tomorrow - I'll just see how I feel in the morning.
Saturday, 4 April 2009
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5 comments:
Stay positive! On a personal note which might interest you, and it is very wierd reading your post. On Thursday after work I had a ride to Holmes Chapel and back planned in my head (20 miles). It was warm and I set out in 3/4 bibs and jersey. 10 minutes in and I had to stop and put my jacket on, I was freezing. Looking back I was obviously cycling into a headwind, and the first 10 miles to Holmes Chapel went so slowly. I felt drained, I felt slow, I felt cold and twice I nearly made it easy and turned back but I didn't. I reached Holmes Chapel at the top of the big hill, a big drink, and 2 powershots later I shot back home. I can't tell you how happy I was afterwards. Next time, try shouting "no I'm going to do it". Trust me it works!
I shouldn't worry too much Karen. A hard event like the Cat takes a while to recover from. You'll be back out doing long rides soon and you'll feel the benefit of all those Cat climbs.
Thanks guys. I think my body was just telling me to take it easy for a little longer and for once, I listened to it. Today I have a stye in my eye, sore throat on waking and I fell asleep on the sofa in the afternoon yesterday. I'm going to have a couple more days off. This is no bad thing as the kids are off school and my husband is away so I would have struggled to cram in a ride anyway.
Hi Karen. Being a fellow citizen of Altrincham and Bike Shak customer I have followed your progress in Cycling plus and admire your determination to achieve your goal.
I am also doing the polka dot in June and just did my first 50 mile training ride in the peaks this week. Having battled up three hills in the low 20%'s I am struggling to believe its possible to get up something at 29%
So good on you.
What time are you targetting in the Polka Dot?
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your kind comments :-)
I was in Bike Shak only yesterday - buying a new helmet for my daughter who went without stabilisers for the first time.
I've just looked at the times of last years spud riley - the average comes in about 7hr 45min. Under 8 hours would be fantastic and a really stretching target to aim for. I think under 9 is more likely though given that I only managed just over 8 on the Cheshire cat. By then I should be a couple of KGs lighter and hopefully we'll have some fine weather so who knows? What about yourself - what are you aiming for? Have you done the spud riley course before? I've done a fair bit of the top part but the bottom loop of the course is totally unfamiliar to me - I'm hoping to do a bit of a recce before the event.
Anyway, thanks for getting in touch & hope to see you about in Altrincham or on the polka dot
Karen
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