Each week I try to review and reflect on my previous week on the bike. This allows me to see how my fitness and ability is progressing on a wider timescale than day to day. For previous weekly reviews please click here.
It seems like a long time ago even as I type this, but this week saw the end of the Zwift Academy 2021, and judging by how much the weather is turning now, what I suspect to be one of the last handful of outdoor rides before the year comes to an end.
Mostly, I am knackered. Fighting off a sore throat and yet another bad cold, I feel weak and weary at the moment. Hopefully that will shift as the week ahead progresses.
Here are the rides from last week:
- Tuesday – Advanced Zwift Academy Finish Line Ride (Indoors / Zwift)
- Wednesday – Every One Is Unproductive (Indoors / Zwift)
- Friday – Technological Fiasco (Indoors / Zwift)
- Saturday – Frosted Tips (Outdoors)
I’m glad to have seen out the Zwift Academy 2021.
Usually on these Zwift events there is something thrown in the mix that makes me … maybe not worry, but anxious about something ahead. Typically this is a trip up the Alpe du Zwift, or if they are feeling exceptionally mean, Mont Ventoux.
In the case of ZA2021, the hardest part was doing the Climbers Gambit as the Base Line ride, and knowing I would have to do it again at the end, as the Finish Line ride. That was a tough workout, no doubt about it.
The outcome of that Finish Line ride left me scratching my head, but I couldn’t disagree with it being a good all round exercise. It pretty much sums up how my years been really. I tried really hard, but it just doesn’t seem to have been as strong as last year. Relatively speaking.
On Wednesday, the following day, I perhaps should have done a true recovery ride, but didn’t feel so bad after doing ~45 minutes with the Pace Bot.
By Thursday I’d slipped into a bit of laziness. I reckon I would have gone outdoors if it had been a sunny / warm day. Even if just for a light ride. But with only the prospect of yet another hour or so on the turbo, I opted to skip the day and go for a Friday ride instead.
Well, Friday was a total fail. Not sure why, but I had technical difficulties with Zwift that I’ve never had before. That’s saying something, too, because I’ve had my fair share over the last few years. Anyway, I salvaged what I could. But it didn’t really result in a worthwhile session. Better than the equivalent time on the couch, but not much more.
Where I really struggled this week was on Saturday. I’ve said in the past that once I have to layer up, I seem to become too hot and uncomfortable when it comes to putting down the power. Or trying too, shall I say. The worst time that’s manifest was on a previous climb, but on Saturday I was just hot / wet / unpleasant when trying to keep to around 3w/kg. Nothing untoward.
After I’d stopped for a little impromptu rest, I couldn’t find it within me, mentally or physically, to get back on it. It turned into a decent calorie burn, but jeez it was tough going. Windy, as well.
With the Zwift Academy done and the prospect of many more indoor sessions ahead, I’m looking for something a little more structured to keep me going. This may be the right time to switch back to The Sufferfest, which I believe has now rebranded to SYSTM. This is good as it will give me another 14 day free trial 🙂
Hopefully they have something suitable for me to get stuck in too, as I’m craving that right now. Some reason to force myself into exercising.
However, I am really struggling for energy at the moment. Perhaps the smartest thing to do is take a midday recovery / endurance ride to kick start my week, and then see how I feel as things progress. It’s so odd that we’re so close to November already.
I can’t see myself repeating the Advent of Cycling… ha.