Off-season training: Arizona is for hedonists!
The Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale, Arizona, is evil. Evil!
Things were looking so great last time I checked in: After a decent first season of cyclocross, I’d managed a trip here, to Arizona, for some R&R and base miles.
And my first week was solid. I rode a good few miles and spent lots of hours getting reacquainted with my road bike on the desert roads that snake in and out of greater Phoenix. I was shedding a few pounds and feeling, well, pretty darn good.
Then I slacked off a bit. Only a bit! I was fortunate to have my girlfriend visit for a long weekend, and though we went riding together for a nice spin of three hours up and around South Mountain, I eased up on the training most days of her stay and got to know the nightlife of Tempe a bit more up close.
The upshot: With just a little slacking off, an ice-cream parfait or two, and some about-towning, I feel like Jan Ulrich in April. It all started here.
Wednesday
After a 90-mile five-hour ride on Tuesday, I rode for 1.5 hours endurance pace, then hit the gym for 1.5. Feeling great. The locals don’t like the moderate temps, but I’m not complaining about 60 degrees while it’s snowing in NYC.
Thursday
Rode for 1.5 endurance pace on mostly flat roads. Cleaned up flat and bikes ahead of girlfriend’s arrival.
Friday
Day off. Rested, more or less. Drove to Sedona and Jerome and walked around PHX. First rest day in almost two weeks. Felt good. But why did I feel guilty about it?
One man suffers while another man smiles.
Saturday
Coach suggested I finally do some intervals up South Mountain, in part to test out my new heart-rate monitor and get some intensity into my legs. Well, I must have done too much at the gym Thursday because my legs were sore when I got out of bed. Damn lunges! Too much too soon in the gym?
So did an easy two-hour ride with girlfriend, including a spin up South Mountain at moderate pace. Felt good, but not at all ready for intervals. It was great fun riding easy and showing my girl around Phoenix. The views of the city from 2,300 are stunning.
Sunday
Another rest day but not planned. Had too much fun bowling night before with friends, so slept late and lounged all day. Showed girl around town some more. Saw Up in the Air. A bit cheesy but fun. Does Clooney ever ride bikes like his buddy Damon?
Monday
With only a few days easy spinning in my legs and a day completely off, I felt like crap today, the day my girlfriend headed back to NYC. I did an hour and packed it in. Didn’t get enough sleep last night and had a long but good weekend. Feeling the effects. I’m old, too, so recovery’s tough! Coach says I’m fresh but not rested after the festivities of the weekend.
Tuesday
Did three-hour ride, including the climb to the TV towers atop South Mountain. Mostly endurance pace. Felt good but think I’m just starting to feel rested again and not totally over the busy weekend fun.
In sum, I’m going to write this middle week of my three-week trip off as a “rest week.” So I’ve got a week left and plan to make it a good one. Need some momentum before I head back to Chicago, then New York City, and all the brutal winter weather in those places.
Till next time: Say no to ice-cream parfaits! They’re evil. Evil!
Climbing South Mountain, Phoenix, Arizona.
