Ready to get back to training

Finally back into riding! Got out of bed at 4:15am, grabbed a cup of coffee, checked Velonews (http://velonews.com) got dressed, grabbed the Niner and off I went for some dedicated trail time.

I didn’t push the pace as it’s been quite a while since I’ve ridden. I think my heart rate was pretty high really the entire way round, though I felt OK. I took the steep pinches slowly and easy, trying to keep a nice even pace. I’ll maintain this type of riding until I feel my body respond to more miles and efforts. No use trying to smash myself before I’m ready I guess! The trails offer steep pinches and a few decent climbs to get myself used to the effort of riding again. 

Lunchtime (we all have to work right?) rolled around and I decided I’d try doing a bit of running again. It was 31 degrees outside and humid. Not exactly what you’d call perfect weather for a run. Nonetheless off I went. It was much harder than I remember. I used to regularly run half marathon’s at 5:10 pace, which I could sustain for the full 21k’s. Those days seem like an eternity ago. I found myself hitting that pace, but for only 400-500m at a time before walking for a distance.

Strava Files
http://www.strava.com/activities/222949038
http://www.strava.com/activities/222847087

I came to a small park full of water and waterbirds. I decided I’d do some stair reps, and then some push-ups and sit-ups. Sort of a mini HIIT session. By the time I got back to the uni where I work I was drenched in sweat and already late for a meeting. Couldn’t care though as I’d done my first decent hit outs in weeks and despite the tiredness setting in, I felt great.

It’s a long way to the finish line of my own personal “Everest” so for the present, “time is on my side” as the Stones song goes..

Looking forward to tomorrow's ride already.