dminor 

Have you ever felt like you’ve atrophied in the off-season nearly to the point of no return? That’s how I’ve been feeling this week. After months of too much snow to ride much and then to even to run, the weather has finally broken some. The sun is shining and the streets are more-or-less ice-free and safe to share with cars again. I’ve gotten out on a couple lunchtime runs this week and OMG am I slow!

Yesterday I took a 4.8-mile loop that I’ve done numerous times at a comfortable 7-7½-minute-mile pace and did 8s - - and felt winded and spent for it all. Today I did a 4.3-mile loop and was marginally better at 7:54 miles. But, man, it was sucking the wind out of me again.

I know it’s going to take time to get my lung capacity back and that, if I’d religiously done my winter cross-training like I’d planned, I would not be boo-hooing right now; but I’m getting this fear that I’ve run as fast as I’m ever going to and it’s all downhill from here. When I was in my 40s I was a low-6-minute-mile 10K runner. The thought of it is downright discouraging.

never

I've been training religiously all winter (previous years, I would just commute to/from work) and I feel much better at this point versus where I usually am before the season starts. But don't worry, you'll just need some time to get back in the groove!

santiago

What's involved in your training, guys?

pinkrobe

dminor: I'm reading your mail. I've been commuting all winter on studs, but I am feeling slow now that some of the snow is off the roads and I'm back on slicks. If the weather holds, I'm going for a Saturday afternoon loop on the road to see how much get-up-and-go has got-up-and-went.

santiago: I'm assuming you're asking a general question about training. If not, just skip this part. I've been doing weight training 2 or 3 times/week since September to try and get my girly arms and floppy man-boobs into better shape. It's a pretty basic arms/chest/back/abs routine with free weights, usually 3 sets of 10 reps. Since January, I've been on the road bike in the basement, doing 1 hour sessions 2 or 3 times/week. I've been pushing fairly hard, doing my warm-up in the 140 bpm range and most of the ride at 155-180 with some good sprints getting me close to 190. My cardio is definitely not where I want it to be yet, but I'm able to recover from the sprints more easily now.

never: Please tell us about your workouts! Are they painful?

dminor 

Good job pinkrobe - - you disgust me

never

I like pain so they are enjoyable.
Actually a lot of variety and cross-training so I enjoy it.

junkyard

While I may ride slower and less distance, I can drink greater amounts for longer. It's a give and take.

mtnbiker66

I hate training of any sort. Can you go out and do some for me as well?

junkyard

I'll go out and have a few drinks for you.

never

Sure...what do you want me to work on for you?

mtnbiker66

I really need an all around good workout so just do what you can.

santiago

Yeah, my question was thrown out to anyone.

My training varies. What I do have as a constant is that I hit a spinning class twice per week. Besides that it's a mix and mish-mash of things. I'll go XC skiing, I follow parts of James Wilson's MTB Strength training, and I'll go hiking/snow-shoeing/ice skating.

I do want to devote more time to a gym program as I think that would be the most effective. I am really sold on what James Wilson preaches in that strength training, mobility and conditioning are all needed to be solid riders. He focuses mainly on anaerobic conditioning and thinks for mountain biking, in particular the more burlier stuff, aerobic conditioning is less important.

junkyard

There's no science behind what I do at the gym through the winter other than trying to get a full body workout in weekly. I do find that, especially in mountain biking, upper body strength is helpful for keeping from fatiguing too early. Additionally, any core stuff is going to be good (abs, lower back, etc.) I've been resting my knee, so my leg workout has been on hold, but I am soon to be getting back to that, too.

mx_599

getting old sucks

getting old and slow sucks more

MattP.

Hmm snow.

I got into WWU in Bellingham, going up there Saturday to check it out, but I don't know if I can stand the winter season, and the huge downtime...

Hmm.

dminor 

Almost no downtime at Western (it's the wetter, less snowy side of the state). My son rode Galbraith off and on over most of the winter. Enjoy your visit - - hope you like it. PM me if you want to hook up with anyone for a ride (if you will have time).

santiago

We've had a crazy amount of snow this year and I seriously am going to miss it when it's gone. The key is to embrace winter sports. That includes riding. I don't personally ride in the winter but there are plenty here that do and plenty of the guys I ride with do. My mountain bike club has organized three rides this week alone.

Dannihilator

Slow is only in your head.

santiago

I think Mr. Smashy just called Dminor slow in the head.

Dannihilator

As in slow is only an optical illusion.

santiago

I know what you meant. I was just teasing Dminor.

Trekbikedude

Running and lifting

seems to help.

dminor 

But the stop watch doesn't lie, unfortunately. I looked back on training logs from today's route from 8 years ago and saw that I did it at a 7-minute pace. I didn't need to see that.

Oh well, I just run to train and because I still love to; don't run competitively any more. It's just that, when I feel I'm getting faster on a bike, it's tough to see another facet slipping.

Cheeto

Happens with age?

dminor 

^^ Yeah but its not fair; I've got this thirty-year-old mind trapped in a middle-aged body. I want to take up flat track racing again but my better half thinks I've gone far enough out there racing downhill