Hump Day Ride

Despite consistency in training during the past few weeks, my watts have not been consistent. I've been doing VO2 max intervals during this training period. Just last week (Thursday) I set a new PP 5 minute record for myself. I've been getting great sleep, eating well, and taking time off the bike when I should, and somehow I haven't been able to hit my numbers for those intervals for the past two training sessions. It's probably been too long since I've taken a full rest week, so I'm considering that for next week. It throws a huge wrench straight into my rear wheel, but something is going on and it's getting frustrating.

Todays ride got pretty epic...and fast. I originally planned to head north around Ray Roberts, but changed my mind when I felt how strong the wind was today (I know...lame!). My plan was to ride a mostly at tempo with two 20 minute intervals in the "Sweet Spot" power range described in the Allen/Coggan book "Training and Racing with a Power Meter" before riding at tempo for the next hour with four 3 minute VO2 intervals to mix things up. Unfortunately, only one of those intervals happened because I couldn't keep the watts up. Mid way through the second "Sweet Spot" interval I hit gravel...in a head wind...going up hill...with my legs burning! That might sound like an exaggeration...it's not. After I figured out that the VO2 intervals weren't happening for today I just put my head down and hammered out some tempo for the remaining hour and a half-ish.

My post ride stop at Jupiter House was the highlight. Some of the guys on the team know this place well for their espresso, coffee, cookies, and muffins. I like to stop in before or after a lot of the group rides I organized because of the central location and friendly attitude towards cyclists (They welcome bikes inside!). An iced coffee was the perfect thing to cure my low watt blues.

I can't wait until the Matrix Crits! It's going to be awesome to see all of the guys again and race in downtown Dallas!!!!

Luvs,
Adam