Months ago I explained how my training was mapped out for the 16 weeks leading up to the first race of the season. I divvied things up into four week blocks, each with a specific focus, and increased the intensity or duration during each block.
So now I’m into the third block of training and I have no regrets. I’d never done specific weight lifting routines before now (despite having some sort of training program every spring for the past 15 years) and I can’t believe the difference in how I feel. I’ve gained weight and feel much stronger. I even feel more balanced; I’m equally strong on my right and left sides. The additional weight will come off as the weather warms up and I get outside more often. I’ve also had a chronic knee injury that flairs up about this time of year but so far – nothing. Fingers crossed.
I may make one adjustment to the training I had planned for the next few weeks and that’s to smear the speed and agility blocks together. Not sure on that but it might happen because I’m now feeling they go more hand in hand for the type of hare scramble racing we do around here.
I’ve also been riding the RM-Z more these past few weeks than in recent years. That’s mostly because I set up studded tires that make riding on frozen ground a little safer and because I’ve given in on having a totally clean bike after every ride. The spring thaw has come so each time I ride the bike is nearly destroyed. I would normally disassemble and rebuild a bike that’s seen those conditions in the days following but anymore I just don’t have the time or energy to do it. Get the chunks off, keep the valve lash in check, and keep the suspension working right is about the best I can manage these days.
I’m pretty pumped to get racing underway and test my fitness. Soon Dyracuse will open up and Joe and I will be able to make a long lap that will put us even further into race mode. I can hardly wait!
