Ok, here is the dilemma -- I started the year relatively well, and PR'd two doubles in April and May.
Then work (120+ hours/week) for several weeks, illness (brought on by exhaustion), etc. has just crushed me and my fitness, bringing me from a CTL of 85 down to the low 60s. I tried to ride part of an event on Saturday, but no sleep and being sick left me falling asleep on the bike after the first 100 miles, so I pulled out.
In any event, I should have some time now to train well for an event on August 1, which I would really like to do well in. My plan is to have a steady diet of SST for the next three weeks since it is an ultra event, and do a little more speed work in the last two full training weeks and then taper a week.
Sounds like a sensible plan. Just make sure you're sufficiently rested from your deep dive into work and other life stresses before loading up on too much training. IOW, listen to your body in the early going and perhaps stick towards the lower end of SST until you're sure you're back on track. No sense chasing CTL and frying yourself again....
Yep, rounding out that week with a straight run from Wednesday through Friday night at work without going home or sleeping, nap two hours, drive two for a 5:30 am start on a 200 mile, 16,000 foot ride -- stupid, I know, but I wasn't going to let work keep me from trying and when I baild after the first 100 miles I got the entire rest of the day to spend with the family and then sleep, so it was a great day. If I hadn't asked for dispensation to ride the event, I would have been at the office .... Perverse incentives apply
Sounds like a sensible plan. Just make sure you're sufficiently rested from your deep dive into work and other life stresses before loading up on too much training. IOW, listen to your body in the early going and perhaps stick towards the lower end of SST until you're sure you're back on track. No sense chasing CTL and frying yourself again....
Good luck, -Dave
Thanks!
I am going to ride with the Powertap but tape over the display or put it in my pocket at first so I do listen to my body and not try to match prior power outputs.
