OT Training 5.16.14

This was my first day of the long training in my program and since I switched things around it was only going to be a bike day. In my previous two bike workouts I focused on getting some hills. My legs were not appreciative of that. Today I wanted to bike from 70-90 minutes depending on how I felt and I figured to do that I wanted to get some level ground to cycle on so I went down to the Freeport/Butler trail to get some riding in. Really level ride that would let me stretch it out.

Overall I got in 16.26 miles in 1:14:30 and it was pretty good. It wasn't overly flat but there weren't necessarily hills. I went anywhere from an elevation of 871 feet to a height of 1299 feet but it wasn't all that bad. My legs were really tight and sore at the beginning of the bike. One thing I absolutely have to do is to start to stretch before I ride. I never stretch before anything but with as much as I did this week I think it would probably be in my best interest to do so. I probably still won't, but I should still try.

At the beginning of the ride I was really weak. My legs were tired and I wasn't all that into it but I know I needed it to get it done. One of the things that really helped my on my ride was gearing up on my bike. Having my legs not feel as well I started pretty low on my gears but I realized I needed a little more. I geared up one or two and I was able to really push myself for a more effective ride. I know that seems like a "no duh" thing to do but I didn't do it.

For my first six miles I was riding between 11-12 mph but after I started to gear up I held it around 15 mph for the next seven miles. That got me to 12 miles and I still had a little more time to ride but I really hit the wall. I think the 70 minute mark was it for me and the final two miles on my ride were really tough. I knew I had to push through it and I did which was what I wanted.

A lot of this working out is mental. I know it is physical too because I physically have to do it but being able to push myself through the tough times is really important. When I finally get to the race I want to be able to push through that tough portion in the middle and get over the hill and pushing myself past the point I think I can go during the training will get me on the path to that mental toughness.

Pretty happy with the workout today and this will lead into a great off day tomorrow.