5 month after surgery i finally start pushing a bit endurance training o…
5 month after surgery i finally start pushing a bit endurance training on the weekend. Cool about it .. being triggered by a cool double century training ride from 2025 I wanted to see if I am ready to do that again. So a year ago I did 200 miles on a Saturday followed by 130 miles on Sunday. I decided to push for a 200 mile ride on Saturday but weather changed the strategy. Heavy thunderstorms with lightning made me stop and cancel the ride. I had to give it a few hours and started again completing 131 miles. Due to weather again I had to switch after 131 miles from my TT bike to indoor trainer bike on my lanai. Not worth the risk in a heavy thunderstorm. Still … my second ride on Saturday was 100 miles getting me two solid centuries. However I admit the second ride was tough and I had some issues that required lots of drinking to make sure I stay hydrated. After the 231 miles on Saturday I was not sure if I could even ride on Sunday. Woke up later than planned hitting the road shortly after 3am. Crazy as is … warmed up ok and joined the Sunday morning ride group for 40 miles after 65 miles solo. Finished the ride going home solo with total Sunday ride of 114 miles. Thats a crazy 345 miles on a 2 day weekend. Ok … average speed was not impressive. But I was able to make it showing my endurance level is ok again. Power and therefore speed still requires work. But 5 month after surgery I am on the right track. Important info … any cycling coach would tell me that what I have done is not efficient. And I fully agree. But I enjoyed and had fun. Its a hobby and I do not make money. I only want to get my power back somehow even I am well over 60 and was down for a bit too long for my liking. So I have my own strategy trying to pay attention how my body responds to certain situations. The Sunday 231 miles was important to me because I wanted to test myself in a safe way for a long ride to prepare for 24 hours. Thats why a mix of road and trainer ride. Today (Sunday) was done based on how I felt and how my legs responded to Saturdays abuse. Am I ready for the 24 hour race? Mhhhh as ready as possible during the recovery process. I do not expect to do the 400+ miles on that race yet but 350+ shall be doable. It would take me another 2-3 month to get back in shape. The races I do this year is more like training races and not serious ultra-distance racing yet.
