Progress is Progress

Progress, in this case, is a steady but sure improvement in both endurance and fitness.  This week rode a total of 129 miles.  That total distance approaches the total I would have ridden had I accomplished my goal of riding 20 miles each day.  All in all I am happy with what I accomplished this week.  I did a ride of 36.4 miles without a break.  I did a 26 mile ride at a pretty good clip with only one break.  I did a 30.3 mile ride hard out and easy back and the next day, Yesterday, I did 36.4 miles at a relatively hard clip, for me, of 17.3 mph average riding time.  That is contrasted with Monday's ride of the same course and distance with no breaks and a moderately hard pace of 15.2 mph average.  The difference being that our group took four breaks on the ride yesterday, giving the legs time to recuperate and thus making it easier to ride at a faster pace.

I feel that I have adequately pushed myself this past week so as to spur more conditioning but not so much that I risk over-training.  My legs are mildly sore this morning which is to be expected after pushing myself on the ride yesterday.  I feel that I need a day off today, so I will not do the 13 mile run that I had planned on doing. Since riding is my primary goal at the moment running will have to take a backseat to riding and rest.  In order to improve one has to have the right balance between exercise and rest, gradually increasing the work load while the body adapts.  As one adapts to a specific amount of work and rest in combination, then the workload is again increased giving the body another challenge to adapt to.

Next week I hope to get in 160 miles or more of riding.  I may not ride every day but I would like to get in at least one more day of riding than I did this week.  That would make a five day week of riding.  When I do my trip I plan on riding an average of six days a week.  I may occasionally take an extra day or two off to visit and explore in a few places but for the most part six days of riding a week will be the plan with one day off for rest and recuperation.