Great rides Sat and Sunday for me. I have to say, I'm enjoying the half Ironman raining as opposed to the full Kahuna. Nice challenging rides, but I still have plenty of free time on the weekends. I'm going to let myself enjoy this this year, before I tackle Ironman training again in 2010.
Saturday, May 23
3 hours ride. Went great. All my riding it done as percentages of my functional threshold (FT). I test for those numbers with my power meter, and Endurance Nation plans get me faster!
2 x 30' @ 85% of FT--I was right on
3 x (6' @ 100% of FT, 3' @ 105% of FT) Hit them all right on, or a little over.
Remainder at 80%--right on
Sunday, May 24
Sunday is an "always be pushing" (ABP) ride. After warm up, lock it down to 80-85% of FT. Ride consistently at that power for as long as you can. Break to drink, eat, then get right back to work. These are HARD. Deceivingly so. You look at them on paper and think, "that's no so bad." An hour into it, and you're thinking "WHOA BABY!" I love it. No doubt building up endurance in this way will pay dividends. I ended up with an average of 80% of FT for the ride. Next week I'd like to get that up a little higher.
My Run In with A Bull
The main story today happened during a pit stop. My hubby was messing with my clanging derailleur, and I went to use the bushes. I stepped over a wire and into a clearing. As I am, um, indisposed, I hear something crashing toward me from behind. I turn around to see this freakin' BULL coming at me!!!!! I nearly crapped my pants!!! I never flew so fast in my life. The wire was obviously an electric fence. This thing was HUGE!!!! The local national park keeps a herd of these Scottish Highlanders, and it seems that I was in his pastureland. I pass them all the time when I ride, and they are cool. But no so cool nose to nose!
Imagine this puppy coming at you! :)