This week has been a blur. I have been training/riding, dealing with work issues, trying to plan another trip to Japan and pack. I am totally glad the ETape is here. I could use the rest.
Here are my number from the last few months.
Month Hours Miles KJs (calories used)
July : 24 412 11,000
June : 38 617 17,000
May : 33.5 551 15,500
The hours spent training do not include the time spent in core work, 2 hours a week, the time stretching, 20mn to 1 hour a day, and the massages I have been receiving to make sure I remain as semi-flexible as possible, 1 time a week. Needless to say I am excited about the trip but I am relieved that all my intense training is over. I am looking forward to just riding in France the next few days.
Interestingly, when I compared this years training schedule with last years, the numbers are not so different. This year I have more intensity earlier in the summer but the hours spent training are about the same. What has changed you ask? One crucial factor has changed. My LT, lactate threshold, has jumped from 195 to 210ish. (I use 210ish because I have not been tested recently and I am using my TSS scores to approximate my LT.) My increase in power should make the ETape a successful ride. While I do not plan to ride a substantial portion of the ride at LT, in fact the winner of a race usually uses the least amount of power (draft, draft, draft), I will need all the power I have to get up Mt. Ventoux after a 85 mile ride, mostly up hill.
My goal for the the ETape is to finish the ride before quitting time, (The race has a 10 hour time limit.) Hopefully I can do the miles before Ventoux in 6-7.5 hours. I think Ventoux will take 1.5 to 2 hours at about 190 watts. That part of the ride will be very challenging. I have trained, I am ready: So France here we come. Have a great week riding.
