Nice couple of hours in high Z2 today.

People say base training is boring. I suppose I see their point, but I have to say it's my favourite bit of the year. I don't have to concentrate much, just keep half an eye on making sure I don't go too hard, and most of the time I'm rding at pretty much the same intensity that I do when touring. In other words it doesn't feel like work, or even training, it just feels like riding for the pure joy of being out on the bike. Nice.

Plus (and on-topic with @Racer Ex talkng about staying healthy) I never feel healthier than when I've recently moved out of an extended period of base into build. That isn't when I'm fastest, of course, but it is when I feel best - not unduly fatigued, getting stronger, just a really powerful sense of well-being. To extend Ex's mountaineering metaphor, summits are an accomplishment but they aren't necessarily the healthiest places to be.