Slackers' Diary : Quest for Fitness : 2

In the beginning, there was pain. There was wheezing. There were expletives. And there was quite a bit of bodily fluid. If you don't know the history, now is the time to read the first chapter in my quest here.

Just to recap, here's the scoop. Work involved loads of travelling for me for a year. It was all I could do to ride my bike once every second or third week. I got unfit (no shit!) to the point that each DH ride took more out of me than I gained. I actually got worse...

Sample training log to be completed

A few weeks ago I got the opportunity to work with Pete Osborne, a trainee BC coach. The idea was to put together a training plan for me to follow. Since I was starting from such a low level, the benefits of the plan should be clear and progress tangible.

Let's also clear something else up! I am not kidding myself that I will win the NPS this year. I am not some kick-ass superstar with a coach! I am a lazy ass old git desperately in need of some motivation and help trying to preserve his youth and stay fit. I am also busy so want to make every minute on the bike count. It also has to be fun!

Goals re-stated and history revisited. Great. So what have I been doing? Well, if you read the intro, you will have seen my month's summary. It turns out that instead of going hammer and tongs at the BMX track and sprinting up your road, time on the bike in the winter is best spent laying down your 'base fitness'. This is achieved by going slowly. Lots.

"This month, I have been mostly going very slowly."

While this came as music to my ears (no pain, no sweat, no intervals!!), the reality is plain. Winter is cold. And wet. And riding slowly is boring!

Nevertheless, I have be going out in all weathers, togged up and spinning nice and slow. All in the name of fun - mainly for you guys laughing at me!

In reality, while there is not a great deal to write about, the sessions have been varied and interesting with different technical pointers to focus on when the brain gets cold. What's more, I have been motivated! Yes, I have really enjoyed the sessions, filling in the detailed log and getting out on the bike. The one or two I have missed have left me fed up (as well as somewhat guilty!).

So is it working? Well, since I am laying down base fitness and not tuning up my 'power' yet, it is hard to be conclusive. However, last weekends trip to Chesterfield was a far cry from the coughing fit documented in my last journal! I was stringing full runs together without huge pain! In fact, I was still jumping the hip-to-berm on my final lap, rucksack full of tools, despite the sprint into the preceding corner!

So yes, it seems to be doing me some good. I am feeling fitter and enjoying riding again - I have some purpose. And strangely, I seem to have just as much (little?) time as before. So far, it's all good...