Friday 18 January 2008

Progress?

No weigh in this week, owing to getting up and going straight to work. It probably wouldn't have been too pretty anyway.

However, the Audax last weekend was completed in 15 minutes longer than last year, but included 17 minutes recovering from a puncture. Additionally, I wasn't dead on my feet this year.

Training has now properly recommenced after Christmas with two turbo sessions this week. Now that the New Year has passed I'm not concentrating solely on miles.

Wednesdays session was 'sort-of' intervals, being a repeating 4km course from the Real Life Video on the Tacx. 6 repetitions took 45:15, burned 700+ calories and had the heart rate peaking well into the red at 170 bpm on the last lap. Supposedly, that builds strength and stamina.

To put that to the test, tonight was theoretically a Zone 2 fat burning exercise, and a review of power vs heart rate etc.

The results are both pleasing and surprising. Previously, for the same time and distance, heart rate has peaked low 140's and averaged about 130.

Tonight:
40km in 1:16:00
31.6 kmh average
170.7 watts average output, not enough to survive an Etape in the time, but enough to get to the business end without already being shattered.
745 cals (almost 100 grams of body fat!)
Max Heart rate 128!
Average Heart Rate 119!!!!

Either:
a) I'm getting fitter
b) The equipment is on the blink

I favour the correct operation of the equipment, of course.

108km Audax this weekend, though if it rains much more it might be a 108km Triathlon.

Weigh in on Monday...........Mmmmm

3 comments:

Lee said...

Great blog Clive. I get a tacx flow this week. No trendy videos for me, just the view from the conservatory.

the E.Port Sloth said...

I have just had a look at the routes for a couple of the events you have signed up for.
You utter, utter, utter, certifiable masochist!
I would want safety ropes for the main climb on the Cheshire cat challenge. Does your new toy measure that steep a climb?

Clive Handy said...

No. The bubble will be firmly fixed to the front of the SkyMounti from about half way up.

Apparently, there's a special medal for anyone who can get to the top without putting a foot down......side wager?

By the way, I'm betting I can't.