Been a bit...

Lots going on in my world and I have been neglecting keeping everyone up on the training. So last I wrote on here, I had completed a miserable ride after a flu shot, well it turns out that the weakness and fatigue wasn't attributble to the flu shot, just coincidental to a little chest/sinus virus I picked up (probably at work). This left me pretty drained for 6-7 days with a couple rides over the next week after. Slowly I have moved to increasing mileage and time on the bike, without the pressures of structure, though I see improvements in general. I also took all electronics off my bike (power meter, HR monitor) to get back to the basics of enjoying the ride. That's not to say its always comfortable with no minor suffering, but the riding is different when you aren't worrying about numbers, recovery or intensity. The "stuff" will be back on the bike as I begin to finish out base mileage in early December and begin inserting some power workouts to build back the speed both in the short and long distances.

I have been purposefully following a less structured exercise schedule, riding when I want, but mostly using the time to improve my core through cardio cross training on various machines, a little weight training and getting back into the pool after many years. Its amazing that I have taken as many years away from the pool. I grew up swimming, swam at a very high level through high school and college (and even one season post college) during which I competed in 2 Olympic Trials. Mind you my whole season goal was to simply qualify for those Trials and I was realistic in my very limited chances to even impact the Olympic team selections. It was a great experience and one I will always savor for the knowledge that on one day I was one of the 20-25 best swimmers of a specific discipline/stroke at that time for the U.S. Anyway...its great to get back in the pool and swimming laps, nothing structured there yet, but intervals will come. I have a couple ideas and theories of making improvements to my VO2 Max and lung capacities through swimming that may show merit as they translate over to the bike in the 2009 season. Even if they don't, my cardio fitness through swimming can only assist in overall fitness for the bike - not hurt whatsoever, even if I'm wrong in my amateur physiologic theories.

Recent rides are in the 70-100k range and the longer rides of a little over 3 hours are the longest rides I've done since mid season back in June or so. The distance/endurance is coming back very easily with no major issues and actually quite enjoyable. Yesterday I completed a ride that I usually do to test fitness (its got a couple decent foothills climbs in it), but I did it much more passively, and found it to be very easy even with the steepish (12-13%) climbs on it. I plan on continuing the riding as is (around 300k a week) but nothing forced to meet mileage and move to a more structured weight training and core regimen every other day and to attempt 3 days in the pool.

On the personal front, I resigned my position from a pseudo-administrative role to concentrate more on the aspects of my job I love (which has very little to do with management), to gain more time for personal and family reasons and to truly finish concentrate on the schooling that has been neglected by other pursuits. I continue to work with the same group of people, but its from being part of the team and sharing common goals without the pressures or worry that come from a management perspective. Its amazing the weight that lifted off the shoulders the moment I signed my resignation letter. Made me wonder why I waited. Lesson learned - "When things don't seem or feel right, don't be afraid to pull the trigger."

Hope everyone is enjoying the great fall weather!