commuting by bike and tapering
ris
Posts: 1,002
in General Chat
i've got my first race of the year (also my first OD) in 10 days time. i've been training for about 7-8 weeks, generally following a 12wk OD guide from the 220mag. originally i was following it to do city of bath OD in july but managed to get a place at cricklade tri and wanted to give it a go.
i get most of my bike training by commuting 12miles to work, usually 3or4 days a week and try to fit in a longer ride at weekends.
i know i should be tapering next week and letting the muscles get a bit back after the training so wondered if i should back off the commute rides as a result. i can take the train or car instead, it just seems a shame not to enjoy the bike in nice weather.
i'd welcome any advice from the experienced triathletes out there!
i get most of my bike training by commuting 12miles to work, usually 3or4 days a week and try to fit in a longer ride at weekends.
i know i should be tapering next week and letting the muscles get a bit back after the training so wondered if i should back off the commute rides as a result. i can take the train or car instead, it just seems a shame not to enjoy the bike in nice weather.
i'd welcome any advice from the experienced triathletes out there!
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Comments
Is it 12 miles each way or in total? What sort of time does it normally take? You could still commute but change the intensity for one of the rides each day. This way you taper the intensity but you can still commute.
usually manage the route to work in 39-40mins and the return leg is 36-38mins. i think the difference is down to traffic and colder muscles. i'm hoping to get my average speed above 20mph by the end of the summer...
i slightly worry about my ability to reduce intensity on the commute! there is a little voice in my head that says 'faster, you can hit the pb today, faster!' i shall just have to set the mind the right way and do the right thing when i get on the bike.
if it helps with the pre-race nerves then it's got to be worth keeping up with.
my last run b4 the marathon will have been a 23 miler, 8 days b4 hand.
i did upper body weights on sunday ,a 50k bike on the hills on monday, and a long swim on tusday, and nothing since.
i wonder will i cutting it to close if i do a 5 mile run tomorrow {fri}??
marathon on monday.
having a plan of where/when to rest or put the hammer down sounds like a good idea. i might give it a go next week.
i realised this evening that the voice has a further downside - i get pissed off when cars/pedestrians 'ruin' my personal commute time-trial! seems like i get a car on my right at every roundabout, zebra crossing with 40 people all in single file... [;)]
i tried a gentle ride this morning and was 95% successful, i spent all of it on the hoods and made a mental note to drop a gear to keep it spinnier. i was going really well until i saw another cyclist about 200yards from the office, the little voice started shouting and i was needlessly chasing them down!
surprisingly i wasn't as slow as i thought, i think there is a benefit to being smoother and lighter on the pedals. something to practice.