What is more inspiring than being out in the sun and fresh air on your bike? So, today was the first day that I got my bike out on the road. Yes, I did say my race was Sunday. All 700 miles I have done have been trainer miles. Now before you form an opinion, let me say this. My race is the flattest bike of any race I will do, absolutely no hills! It has a net gain of 98 ft in elevation! Check out the map:
That is right starting elevation is 207 ft, Maximum elevation is 233ft. |
So this off season was really more of an experiment. I knew the course was flat, and I also knew that I wanted to have a better run, because I always lose it on the run, so my objective was to maintain a steady, fast bike without killing myself and then have a strong run. To quote a triathlete that won the Tour de France 7 times, "you bike for show, run for dough". I also equate an hour trainer ride to be about a 90 minute road ride or so, so I understand that my mileage may be off some due to the trainer, but at least it is consistent. So, I am awkwardly optimistic about my ride on Sunday.
So you may be wondering, "How was the first ride, jford?" Well, it was not what I had hoped for. The bike handling was fine, no issues there, but you just can not account for wind and hills on the trainerr. So basically the speed I hoped for was not consistently there. Now I have to remember that I did do an all night surveillance last night, got a few hours of sleep, then mowed the yard before riding. I also only had surveillance snacks (beef jerky and Twizzlers to munch on all night and two scrambled eggs when I woke up), not making excuses, just saying I wasn't in race mode. So the main thing I am taking away from this is that I was comfortable on the bike and in aero position.
I am in taper mode this week and I am jumping in a lke tomorrow morning. I still feel really good about this weekend and I am seriously expecting a new PR on this course! Thanks for reading!
Nothing wrong with all trainer rides IMHO. I think trainer rides are worth about 20% more time than you put into it since you never get a chance to coast. Good luck this weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly my thinking since it is a flat course! Thanks for the good wishes!
Delete