Day two (Block of training)

Today was day two of a block of training that I hope will jump start my fitness, as I get into week three of training for the "Tour of the Catskills" I did hills yesterday and something I learned from the "Cyclo-Club, Go Longer Climb Stronger" is to get your hard work in first then taper it off the rest of the week. I came off a week of this program took a few recovery days, and decided because of the time I have (I actually had some) if I got out early I could get a block of days of 4+ hrs or work on the bike. Well, today I intentionally avoided a lot of climbs and went out on a route that starts out with a easy climb and the next real climb is somewhere around mile 70. http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/pottsville/993399642502

The first part of this ride is rolling with a good bit of flat and false flats that you can really move on. I broke this into some chunks of tempo between 5-12 min each set and made sure I blasted up the hills and rolled over the other side not loosing to much momentum or speed. I then took it easy for about 12 miles because I knew there was this climb coming (starts out gradual 1-2% then up to 12-14 %) that is about a good 18-20 minutes. I was so close to stopping on the steep section but I pushed it out, I figure if I am not going to push through the pain then I may as well not train for a race. After this climb I hit a few tall rollers and felt like my legs were going to fall off, I was so inside my head I had to get out, or I was going to quite.

I tried something different for fueling today inride. I made up two bottles of perpetum, one three hour bottle (6 scoops) and one two hour bottle (4 scoops) and three bottles of water (in a camel pack), also took some gel and a cliff bar. I actually think this worked out pretty good for me it was a little bit thick but actually tasted good I had to watch that I did not go to the bottles too much cause I am use to downing a bottle an hour. Also, used some anti fatigue and enduroltytes. Post ride I had a serving of endurox r4 stretched then had an omlete with spinach and mushrooms and serving of oatmeal with blue berries ( I eat this almost every day love it and dont get sick of it)

Well, overall it was a great ride (just inside my head too much) but still got in little over 5hrs and 84 miles. Tomorrow will be recovery, I find for me that after hard blocks of training active recovery works best, maybe take the mtb out for an hour then some yoga and stretching. Oh and my wife is having a bday party for me so, will be doing a bit of drinking and eating but not still am aware of my goal, but I know I can have fun doing both.
Hey you only turn 40 once.

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