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Spinner Time

18 Jan

The one redeeming thing spinner workouts have over actual riding is listening to music. Today’s workout consisted of tunes from Adele and David Gray.

Music helps with monotony and effort, particularly on the intervals, and with 75:00 on the spinner like I did today, I need all the help available.

I can’t watch television because I don’t ride hard enough. I check email, Facebook, etc. only during warm up/down, never during the actual workout. Again, because I get distracted and pretty soon my heart rate is 100 or below – at that point – what’s the point?

I guess I’m easily distracted.

In my outdoor rides in the past 4 weeks or so I’ve noticed a payoff I believe from the spinner. My out of the saddle climbing is better (can hold for longer and less increase in HR) and when seated I can push a bigger gear while still maintaining my cadence. Basically I think my legs are getting stronger. I’ve also been doing a little running which would also build leg strength.

I say all this to motivate myself to continue…

Indoor Biking

12 Dec

Lately all of my riding has been indoors. My last ride outdoors was my bike ride to the store noted below. My last ride indoors was last night.

Riding indoors is exercise; riding outdoors is fun, freeing, centering, calming, inspiring and adventurous. It never feels like exercise.

Riding indoors is BORING, riding outdoors is anything but boring.

Riding indoors is necessary, for me at least while it is this cold (30’s and 40’s). I realize that those temps aren’t even that cold, but for whatever reason (I’m a cold weather wuss, no denying it) I can’t get myself to get out there and ride. I could see riding on a trail in the woods, but I don’t have a mountain bike.

Last night I rode 17.4 miles in just over an hour. I ride intervals every 5 minutes for 1 minute so it keeps it interesting (who am I kidding). I do think when I ride indoors that I work harder – no coasting, intervals, climbing out of the saddle and sprints. My average heart rate shows I am.

I’m going to try and get a “real ride” in later this week. Until then, see you on the trainer!

P.S. Or the treadmill, I’m still running. Which I still suck at. How’s your riding/off-season training going?

Running–Ugh.

6 Dec

I hate running! It hurts, it gets my heart rate up much higher than cycling ever does, it’s jarring. I hate it.

So, today I ran three miles. Three painful, slow miles. But, I did it.

Feeling like I do about running (HATE it), you might be wondering why I did it – good question.

Here’s why:

Running is supposed to be great cross-training for a cyclist.

Running is a relatively quick way (compared to cycling) to get an intense workout in.

Running builds bone density which at my age I need.

I’m considering doing the Redman Half Ironman next September, which unlike the Aquabike event will require me to run.

It’s cold outside and I’m too big of a wimp to ride.

I’m looking into Chi running and Pose running? Anyone know anything about it or any other method that turns a non-runner into a passable runner?

Tomorrow I’ll ride the trainer. Dislike that slightly less than running. Sigh.

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