Recovery week

Well, I just finished out my recovery week, and am feeling much better.  I also (finally!) remembered to wear my heart rate monitor on Saturday and discovered to my chagrin that I’ve been riding much too fast up Page Mill Road – zone 3-4 rather than zone 2-3.  No wonder I’ve been getting tired.  I rode up it at a slower pace on Saturday and was delighted to find how (relatively) easy it is.  I got to the bottom feeling like I could do it again.  Which is good, because I’m gonna have to.  Seven or eight times, if I want to do all five passes.  (Which I do!)

This week is a little unusual since I’m riding the Cinderella Century, a women-only metric century, on Saturday.  I really shouldn’t be riding Cinderella since it’s a mostly flat course and I need to train on hills, but it’s too much fun to skip.  I’m working on a hot pink tutu (I already have a hot pink top) with glitter and ostrich feathers for the occasion.

Other than that, I have to do some sub-lactate long intervals today – essentially, 10-minute intervals in Zone 4 (max aerobic zone), gradually increasing in intensity – which is new.  Tomorrow I’m doing an easy spin, then resting Thursday and Friday in prep for Cinderella.  I wish I could do the 100-mile option, but it’s probably not a good idea this early in training.  Well, there will be more centuries later.

I’m still worried about my ability to “catch up” to other people training-wise, but I’ll trust Lorri to get me ready.

But I’m feeling strong and well-rested after a week “off” – ready to start another intensive round of training again!

Saturday stats: 1:30 up Page Mill, 1:36 total time (including breaks)