Four weeks off is a long time

Posted by Mark on March 5, 2011 under training | Be the First to Comment

When I last wrote a couple of weeks ago I was about a week into total rest, the aim being to shake a particularly troubling cold I’d picked up.

It’s been four weeks since that cold turned bad, and four weeks since I last turned a pedal. I think this is the longest lay off I’ve taken since I got back on the bike properly back in 2007. My form was already suffering from two previous colds, so to say I was apprehensive about a ride today would be an understatement.

Since the lurgy wasn’t quite gone – but I was feeling much better – I figured a very gentle 70km loop would suffice. Joined by Gem Atkinson, we both agreed it would be a gentle leg spin, a rare opportunity for Gem to ride on a Saturday and a reintroduction to riding for me.

We covered a route I did back in January, but I stuck to my goal of staying below threshold for all of the climbs. Since I like my stats, I was paying close attention to the digits, as well as how I felt. I’m either ragingly unfit, or still trying to get past the illness – my heart rate skyrocketed a couple of times when I was still 40 or 50 watts off of my summer prime threshold, and still down on what I would consider my threshold to be right now.

Although it was fantastic to get out, and thanks to Gem for taking it steady on the hills with me, it has made me realise what a bucket load of work I have to do to recapture last year’s excellent form.

I wonder how the Pros cope with the disappointment of coming back after a long lay off, due to illness or injury? I’m a pretty optimistic fella, but I have to admit to being more than a little fearful of the planned sportives in May.