Christmas Jumper on, lights on the trees, and finally a bit of feeling returning to my legs. All in time for a nice rest day (tomorrow) and the new Star Wars film to enjoy. Fantastic.
OK, so it’s been a high stress week in terms of bike activity.
On Tuesday I did my second ever FTP test, and as a result yesterday night, and tonight have both been active recovery rides. Albeit at a higher intensity than I am used too. But only just.
Tonight’s ride was a tad more intense than yesterday. I went for 6 repeats of 7 minutes at 150w, instead of 6×6@150w as yesterday.
I definitely felt better on the bike tonight. No immediate regret when getting my leg over the saddle. And spinning felt easier.
Even so, this was not a hugely comfortable ride. I’m definitely looking forward to a well earned rest day tomorrow. I’m also considering what Saturday will be, and whether Sunday will be a full intensity climb.
Right now, I’m really not giving it a huge amount of thought. I have all day tomorrow, and Saturday morning to consider these things. I’d quite like to get in a fairly laid back group ride on Saturday, but it all depends on my times and availability.
Some good stats from this week so far – 94.4km covered in the three rides I’ve done.
I’ve met my 3 hour riding goal already, and should comfortably pass the 100km riding goal also. Overall training stress is comparatively low this week – and I’ll touch on that in the weekly review I think.
Generally this ride felt noticeably better than yesterday.
Along the way I hit Zwift riding level 24, and as above, hit my weekly riding goal.
Bit disappointed to have not yet hit the 100km riding goal to be honest. I guess Tuesday wasn’t about the distance.
Another good metric is my weight – back down to 11 stone 2lb at this point. This puts me at 70kg, rather than the 72kg figure I have penciled into my Zwift profile. I need to update this, and see how it impacts my watts per kilogram.
Of course nothing has really changed. I’m still the same me. I’m aware of my strengths and limitations. I just feel a bit more positive about everything at the moment.
So, as above, tomorrow is 100% rest day.
I suspect over the Xmas break I’m going to bump up a bit from 11 stone 2lb, and really I need to try to enjoy myself but in a manner that doesn’t destroy weeks / months of hard work in a few short days.
It has to be said also that a lot of this weight loss has to do with quitting alcohol. OK, I have a beer or two on a Friday night, but that’s it. No mid week drinking, no Sunday drinking, maybe a vino on Saturday with tea… but I suspect that plays a bigger part in ditching a few pounds than hours on the bike.
All in all, a good week so far.
Let’s see what the weekend has in store.
