Welcome to the Gulag

[late]

Yup,
you might call yesterday the real beginning. We did a bike ride yesterday. But today
I start going to the gym and racking up hours on treadmills and such. If I was on the bike they would be called base miles. In the gym it's like watching paint dry. I have to do an hour in Zone 1 this week. That means
a brisk walk, nothing more. I slowly take it up into Zone 2 by gradually increasing the steepness of the treadmill. I do like that feature, it feels a little like hiking.
Classic periodised schedules are great for losing weight and getting in shape. But they are not exactly exciting...

Oh well, I put myself here, now to dig back out. It's not like I haven't done it before.

Hi ho, hiho, it's off to gym we go...

[Trsnrtr]

I'm still in training to lose weight. I had a couple bon-bons and a handful of almonds while I was logging on and reading your post. :)

[crtreedude]

Late, I am joining you. I managed to creep up about 10 lbs, still not a Clydesdale again as I was for so long, but scaring it. But, unlike you poor unenlightened heathen up there who live in the third world of cycling - there never is a time here you can not cycle...

I had a very nice ride this morning - and am thinking seriously of doubles for a while. (morning and evening)

[maddmaxx]

Half way break on my trainer. I'll try not to drip on the keyboard.

Hang in there comrad.....the spring offensive will be starting soon.

[Retro Grouch]

Yeah, I've put on a few additional pounds too. My wife and I were discussing this morning that it's time to get back on the program. As soon as the morning chill comes out of the air I'm off for a ride before the rain this afternoon.

I'm thinking that when school starts up again I can get in some cardio at the gym between routes. I've got to go public to get committed to this because it definitely doesn't come naturally for me.

[crtreedude]

Late of course lives where it is possible even the air freezes...

[late]

Late of course lives where it is possible even the air freezes...

It is even possible for the air to thaw some years :p

My schedule is a reprint from Bicycling Magazine.
'The best training plan...period' Feb 1994 pg 69.
I called them and they sent me a xeroxed copy.
Using a periodised program, if you've never tried one, borders
on miraculous. The pace of improvement feels glacial. But then Spring comes and you wonder why you are riding so well.

"For this article, we asked Tom Erhard, a national-level coach to devise a program
for you, the fitness rider"

There are actually 2 schedules in the article. An easy 2-6 hour per week schedule
and a pretty hard 3-9 hour/week schedule.

I decided to split the difference and make a 2.5 to 7.5 hours per week schedule.

I will use it for 4 months. By the end of April I will be doing close to 5 hours a week. Hopefully by then I will be outside. Cranking the hours outside is easy.
Inside...not so easy.

[Road Fan]

Late, is it possible for you to scan that plan and share it? I think we're all in the same boat, if it can handle the weight!

Road Fan

[Retro Grouch]

Late, is it possible for you to scan that plan and share it? I think we're all in the same boat, if it can handle the weight!

Road Fan

Yeah, me too. I just tried to access Bicycling to see if I could bring up the old article but didn't have any luck. In addition to reversing my weight gain trend my wife and I are contemplating a week long bike tour in June. We'd like to be in good enough shape for it to be fun rather than a challenge.

[bcoppola]

^ +1

I looked for it on the Bicycling website but I guess it's too old. (Looks like Retro Grouch and I posted almost simultaneously)

[late]

Let me see what I can do. Bicycling's offices aren't open today, I'll call them manana and see what they have to say.

Worse comes to worse, I'll copy a couple and mail them to you.

Btw, Week One in my schedule is, by Zone...
1) 82 min
2)60
3)8

If you wanted the easy schedule it's

1)65
2)50
3)6

and the 3-9 hour schedule is..

1)100
2)70
3)10

That will get you started. The schedule is an annual one, starting in January. I jumped the gun a bit.

[crtreedude]

Late, you are so right about time - It is so easy for me to get in an hour of riding - just go and look at a farm. This year, if I choose, I could be in awesome shape. One finca is 12 kilometers away (jeep road), another is 30 kilometers, 10 jeep road and 20 pavement. Instead of using a SUV, horse or motorcycle, I can just use the bike. The bike is faster than a horse and not far off from a SUV. A dirt motorcycle is by far the fastest (and a lot of fun!)

[late]

Hi again...
well, I called Bicycling, and hey, aren't automated phone systems fun!
I got an actual live person after a while, who after some yada yada; sent me over to Reader Services. That dumped me into voice mail hell. I couldn't even leave a message.

I think I have been more respectful of them than they have of me. So here's
what we'll do. If you want a reprint I will copy one off and send it to you in the mail. Sorry, I don't have a fax.

Message or email me and I'll shoot it out to you.

The second week, by Zone..
easy
1)75
2)55
3)6
my schedule..
1)95
2)70
3)8
the hard schedule
1)115
2)85
3)10

If you have questions, feel free to ask.

[jazzy_cyclist]

I've been in the gulag since November, and I'm actually enjoying it. My weight is down about 20 poinds from spring (193 to ~175), done a V02Max test, RMR test, power test and use a power meter on a trainer 5-6 times a week. If I keep this up, I'm gonna be an awesome rider in the spring (assuming the snow ever melts here!)

I found a book which mirrors almost exactly what I've been doing - "Base Building for Cyclists" by Thomas Chapple. I would highly recommend this - some of it's common sense, but it includes some nuggets also. In the past I've mostly just gone out and tried to ride when the weather is ok, and suffered through intervals with "Coach Troy" periodically in the winter, but this is my first real experience with a structured type of approach. I guess it should have always been obvious, but it now dawns on me that the notion of riding aerobically is how those pros can do what they do.

The paint will dry faster if you can get another person to share your training with -- you alternate taking pulls, etc.

[late]

A friend said he would scan the article. I may be able to email a copy of it.

[Beverly]

I lost 10+ pounds this year but in order to maintain it I need to start hitting the trainer, treadmill and weights, too. I'm off until January 2 and I've turned into a real slug:(

I guess cleaning out the daughter's closet might could count as exercise if only it didn't raise my blood pressure so much. I live with an unorganized pack rat:eek::eek: I actually think riding the trainer would be more enjoyable.

[stapfam]

One of the problems that I find with the Gym is that it is boring. OI got into gym twice a week for a session- but took spinning classes on one of those visits. Helped on the boredom stakes but still prefer to ride a bike instead. I invested in some good lights and do night riding instead. Luckily I can get out most weeks for a couple of rides- but never get bored on a ride- Wet- cold and miserable perhaps- but never bored.

[late]

I sent out copies. Please let me know if there was a problem.

[late]

Funny how things turn out...
I was worried about not meeting my goals. Mother Nature had something else in mind. I was supposed to do 95 min in Zone 1 this week; and 70 in 2.
I shoveled for an hour a couple days ago, prob evenly split between Zone 1 and 2.

But this morning the shoveling was brutal and I did about 3 hours in Zone 2.
I'm kinda sore right now.

But I figure I have about 8 minutes to go to wind the week up.