After the weekends activties I feel like I have thrown away a weeks effort. Fell into bed at 5.45am on Saturday – obviously I drank and smoked myself into a stupor. Lots of calories to shed and puff to get back into my lungs.
Monday came and went as the only day I could run at work – funnily enough it went without my breaking into anything other than a hung over heebie jeebie sweat, which is not going to assist me climb mountains in July.
By Tuesday I was feeling strong enough to tackle the bike once more and this time it was the Hidcote loop. One largish hill this time – it seemed bigger than Welford but I will need to check that with Andrew. Either way I got to the top without too many problems and felt fit enough to tackle the easier inclines after that. I feel that I may be making some progress on the hill climbing front. I am even bold enough to suggest to Andrew that I think I am ready to return to the first hill that we took on.
Had a chat with Andrew about music when we set off. Some common ground on that front as we are both big fans of Kings of Leon. I must start trying to go to a few live gigs.
Also discussed training. I think I am going to have to buy a turbo trainer and start doing some sessions in the garage with Andrew as I can’t see how I can find the time to train without cutting out helping with the kids. I don’t want to start letting this whole Etape thing become one sided, leaving Liz stuck with the kids two or three mornings a week, so the only option is training inside at night in my view. Added to which it wont be so bloody cold.
Andrew has a DVD which outlines a training programme for stationary bikes. It sounds like a good idea as I could see myself sitting on a bike and pedalling constantly for 2 hours and not pushing the heart rate up as I should.
Worryingly it looks like this might be my only ride for the week – could be a right off from a fitness perspective unless I can find a couple of hours on the weekend.
Not sure how far this loop is.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Clayton's Training Ride Six
Down to Bidford and back to see the Doctor, but with no car I decided to ride. I am still getting constant headaches, which I hope is not high blood pressure.
Rode with the I Pod for the first time, which makes it a bit more fun at times, especially when you are grinding up inclines and you have some Powder Finger blasting in your ear to encourage you to slam down on those pedals. Shame the inclines would not even register on most riders vision as a slope at all.
I wonder if I will ride with an I Pod in the Etape – its going to be a long 12 hours ad it might break up some of the monotony on the inclines. Not a very sociable thing to do I guess and God knows it blocks out sound so there is a significant risk that I won’t hear my fellow riders as they seek to wend their merry way past my back wheel.
I also found that my desire to sing along with Bernard Fanning at full tilt meant I was hoarse by the time I got home. Maybe its not such a good idea after all.
Not sure exactly how far today – my guess is around 12 miles.
Have managed to get three runs in this week – so that’s another 15 miles under the belt. Every little bit helps.
Rode with the I Pod for the first time, which makes it a bit more fun at times, especially when you are grinding up inclines and you have some Powder Finger blasting in your ear to encourage you to slam down on those pedals. Shame the inclines would not even register on most riders vision as a slope at all.
I wonder if I will ride with an I Pod in the Etape – its going to be a long 12 hours ad it might break up some of the monotony on the inclines. Not a very sociable thing to do I guess and God knows it blocks out sound so there is a significant risk that I won’t hear my fellow riders as they seek to wend their merry way past my back wheel.
I also found that my desire to sing along with Bernard Fanning at full tilt meant I was hoarse by the time I got home. Maybe its not such a good idea after all.
Not sure exactly how far today – my guess is around 12 miles.
Have managed to get three runs in this week – so that’s another 15 miles under the belt. Every little bit helps.
Training Ride Five
Training Ride Five
Not much to report – the Welford loop once more. Still have not got those gloves – had to put my hands under the tap for 10 minutes when I got home to get some feeling back.
Not much to report – the Welford loop once more. Still have not got those gloves – had to put my hands under the tap for 10 minutes when I got home to get some feeling back.
Training Ride Four
Bright blue sky this morning is glorious. Jenny has joined us this morning for a little last minute preparation for the weekends triathlon. The cold was murder on my hands, so a pair of gloves has to be the next acquisition.
Jenny rightly pointed out that if I continue trying to ride up hills in a big gear whilst standing up, I am going to end up with weight lifter’s thighs and have the power not the stamina to climb hills. Best start riding smart.
16 miles again!
Jenny rightly pointed out that if I continue trying to ride up hills in a big gear whilst standing up, I am going to end up with weight lifter’s thighs and have the power not the stamina to climb hills. Best start riding smart.
16 miles again!
Training Ride Three
Welford loop in reverse, less cross winds but the cold and lack of light are not my friends. Added to which Andrew has had the temerity to go out over the weekend on two rides with his brother. Clearly not fair. I am destined to spend only the shortest time in his company during the Etape.
Another 16 miles.
A couple of runs this week – so chalk up a further 10 miles fitness
Another 16 miles.
A couple of runs this week – so chalk up a further 10 miles fitness
Training Ride Two
First early morning ride, this time the Welford loop, so only one small and gradual hill to circumnavigate this time. If only the tectonic plates were quite this inactive in France – the race would be a doddle.
Mind you it was my first day on the bike with any form of cross wind and it’s clear that no matter what you do riding into the wind is hard yakka and is going to be my most hated of training conditions.
Clearly my greatest asset and disadvantage remains my weight. 95 kgs is still too much to be hauling up a hill, but its great fun of the way down.
16 miles completed today.
Mind you it was my first day on the bike with any form of cross wind and it’s clear that no matter what you do riding into the wind is hard yakka and is going to be my most hated of training conditions.
Clearly my greatest asset and disadvantage remains my weight. 95 kgs is still too much to be hauling up a hill, but its great fun of the way down.
16 miles completed today.
Training Ride One
I put in a perfect pre first training ride preparation watching the South Africa v England rugby world cup around at David Lees house. A balanced intake of sausages and mash, runny cheese and cake, washed down with multiple beers, a bottle of red and a visit to the pub for a few pints of Guinness and half a packet of cigarettes. Returned home to find Elizabeth and Tina still up and found myself having a further three glasses of red to make sure I had properly done a number on myself.
Strangely enough I awoke at 6.30am to the dulcet tones of Harry, feeling less than refreshed. After choking down a few panadol and drinking copious amounts of water all morning, I began to think the challenge of my first ride was not beyond me. Mind you, the reaction I received from Tina and Liz when I had put on my new riding kit was not one of wholesome support, not unless they were laughing at something other than me, clad top to toe in body hugging lycra. I began to fear that my new found confidence might be misplaced.
Determined to ignore their taunts I went for a quick ride around the block to accustom myself to riding in proper bike pedals and of equal importance to remind myself of the mechanics of a bike. This presented two problems – first of all it took me at least five minutes to get my feet into my new pedals, which I only prayed was a practice issue. More worryingly I couldn’t work out how to change down the gears and was faced with the prospect of having to admit my complete riding incompetence to Andrew even before we set off.
Once Andrew arrived and I confessed my ignorance in the use of the new gears, he provided a quick tutorial, which made blinding sense and we set off with the giggles of Liz and Tina ringing in my ears. Obviously Andrew was not convinced I was going to survive the gentle first ride and he decided to take me around the block first, which was a good idea as it enabled me to sort out gear changing and adjust my seat to the right height before we set off on the ride proper.
The route for the day was a loop from Pebworth to Chipping Campden and back. All seemed to go reasonably well for the first 30 minutes as we travelled along a series of gentle inclines and descents enabling me to get a feel for the bike and assess how much puff I had that day. Unfortunately I was soon to realise that Andrew was a master of the understatement as he told me to take a left up a very unassuming road, which somewhat worryingly appeared to disappear up a hill. As soon as we reached the first part of the incline Andrew drifted past me, chatting quite happily and oblivious to the look of consternation and concern on my face, informing me glibly that I shouldn’t worry as it flattens out at the top. He singularly failed to tell old fat boy that there was another kilometre to the top and a 12% incline in between. Rest assured, 12% may not seem a lot to non riders, but to a novice who was just reacquainting himself with a trusty treadly, it looked as steep as the north face of K1. As I watched aghast as Andrew remained seated and disappeared in front of me as if he was riding on the flat – no unnecessary energy expended and keeping everything neat and tidy. Behind him my breaths were coming in ever erratic gasps and the concept of remaining similarly seated to Andrew was a forlorn one. I quickly gave up trying and stood up and vainly started pedalling up this mountainous of slopes. Sadly even going to such lengths was no guarantee of achieving the required go forward and my progress gradually became more of a weave, than a ride. Despite all efforts to resist the temptation to stop, my progress had almost ground to a halt and my breathing was all over the shop, so with a despairing grunt I conceded defeat on my first climb and walked the remaining 250m to the top of the steepest part of the incline where I found Andrew waiting patiently and probably with a look of exasperation that he had picked such a lemon of a training partner, although to be fair I was too stuffed to notice.
The remainder of the ride was less stressful and involved a few very enjoyable descents – clearly my favoured direction on a bike. By the time we made it back to home we had covered 25 miles and I had already begun to forget the horrors of the hill and start seeing it as an excellent training opportunity. How wrong am I?
Strangely enough I awoke at 6.30am to the dulcet tones of Harry, feeling less than refreshed. After choking down a few panadol and drinking copious amounts of water all morning, I began to think the challenge of my first ride was not beyond me. Mind you, the reaction I received from Tina and Liz when I had put on my new riding kit was not one of wholesome support, not unless they were laughing at something other than me, clad top to toe in body hugging lycra. I began to fear that my new found confidence might be misplaced.
Determined to ignore their taunts I went for a quick ride around the block to accustom myself to riding in proper bike pedals and of equal importance to remind myself of the mechanics of a bike. This presented two problems – first of all it took me at least five minutes to get my feet into my new pedals, which I only prayed was a practice issue. More worryingly I couldn’t work out how to change down the gears and was faced with the prospect of having to admit my complete riding incompetence to Andrew even before we set off.
Once Andrew arrived and I confessed my ignorance in the use of the new gears, he provided a quick tutorial, which made blinding sense and we set off with the giggles of Liz and Tina ringing in my ears. Obviously Andrew was not convinced I was going to survive the gentle first ride and he decided to take me around the block first, which was a good idea as it enabled me to sort out gear changing and adjust my seat to the right height before we set off on the ride proper.
The route for the day was a loop from Pebworth to Chipping Campden and back. All seemed to go reasonably well for the first 30 minutes as we travelled along a series of gentle inclines and descents enabling me to get a feel for the bike and assess how much puff I had that day. Unfortunately I was soon to realise that Andrew was a master of the understatement as he told me to take a left up a very unassuming road, which somewhat worryingly appeared to disappear up a hill. As soon as we reached the first part of the incline Andrew drifted past me, chatting quite happily and oblivious to the look of consternation and concern on my face, informing me glibly that I shouldn’t worry as it flattens out at the top. He singularly failed to tell old fat boy that there was another kilometre to the top and a 12% incline in between. Rest assured, 12% may not seem a lot to non riders, but to a novice who was just reacquainting himself with a trusty treadly, it looked as steep as the north face of K1. As I watched aghast as Andrew remained seated and disappeared in front of me as if he was riding on the flat – no unnecessary energy expended and keeping everything neat and tidy. Behind him my breaths were coming in ever erratic gasps and the concept of remaining similarly seated to Andrew was a forlorn one. I quickly gave up trying and stood up and vainly started pedalling up this mountainous of slopes. Sadly even going to such lengths was no guarantee of achieving the required go forward and my progress gradually became more of a weave, than a ride. Despite all efforts to resist the temptation to stop, my progress had almost ground to a halt and my breathing was all over the shop, so with a despairing grunt I conceded defeat on my first climb and walked the remaining 250m to the top of the steepest part of the incline where I found Andrew waiting patiently and probably with a look of exasperation that he had picked such a lemon of a training partner, although to be fair I was too stuffed to notice.
The remainder of the ride was less stressful and involved a few very enjoyable descents – clearly my favoured direction on a bike. By the time we made it back to home we had covered 25 miles and I had already begun to forget the horrors of the hill and start seeing it as an excellent training opportunity. How wrong am I?
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