Flu shots

Well, at least this occurred in the very first days of building my base kilometers. Due to requirements of my job, I received my 2008 flu vaccine during my shift on 9/26. Now I had ridden to work (approx 1.5 hours) and still had to ride back after working a 12 hour night shift. I started feeling the affects (general fatigue, weakness and a "foggy head") just prior to jumping on the bike for the return home. The short ride home turned into a bit of misery, with even small hills and rises completely draining me without necessarily elevating my heart rate. Misery is probably too soft a word, "death march" sums it up well I think. I don't remember much of the ride, I'm just glad it was cool. I haven't felt that bad for such a short ride for many years. I get these damn shots every year and have yet to see a correlation in immunization success and wellness in those who get them and those who don't.

Anyway, I ended up having to take the next day completely off - a complete fog and a complete lack of motivation to even jump on the rollers or take an easy 30 minute spin. I am listening to my body better and though I felt a bit of guilt for not working through it, I'm not sure it would have done anything than tear my body down and possible screwed up an already overloaded immune system.

Yesterday, I was able to squeeze in 2.5 hours. Still could feel a little weakness and jelly in the legs at even high cadence, low gearing. Heart rate stayed a great consistent 145-155, but I'll have to reevaluate on the long ride on Wednesday to see if those are consistent with the power output expected for these early months or perhaps the inability of my cardiac system to elevate output and function with a taxed immune system.

Anybody ever tried these Inside Ride rollers? Pretty cool concept - free motion rollers with built in resistance than allow a very natural feel on the bike - including sprinting, no handed pedaling and even being able to ride in aero positions on time trial bikes on them. I fear the sprinting i have seen some doing on them in internet videos - picturing myself bolting across my garage toward a closed garage door at 30mph when I pop off. They are a little more than a bit pricey, but I am definitely considering them. I have always liked training my intervals and speed/power workouts on a trainer as I just get a more pure sense on my body and its reactions to stress without seeing extraneous changes in wind and topography that throw a couple more variables into the setting. Did I mention they are a tad pricey? Even used they are still in the nearly new price (which would be good that I could sell them for nearly what I paid for them later down the road). On a related note - I have found several diagrams and plans for DIY setups which I may look into.

Hope all are relaxing in the offseason or preparing for the CX season for you mudhounds.

Bug