I’ve been essentially off the bike since Hillsboro; I’ve only done a handful of long endurance rides, but otherwise I’ve only been doing yoga, strength training, and intervals on the elliptical and the gazelle-type machine at the gym (the only thing that doesn’t make my knees hurt).
I think this extended break is good for me, it’s making me WANT to get back to the bike, and it’s giving my body some much needed R&R. Things are still on the mend; I still cannot do too much squatting, running, biking up hills, biking hard, or any type of lunging motion without the pain returning. I’ve slacked the last few days on the foam rolling and icing, but as I gradually ease into winter cycling mode I will likely have to come up with some sort of daily physical therapy routine.
Right now I’m really getting back into strength training, and I’m loving it! When I actually have a progression and a plan to work with, I really enjoy doing it, and I really enjoy reaping the rewards. There’s nothing like feeling strong everywhere, rather than just in one’s legs for one specific thing. I’ve been taking Jeff’s classes twice a week and I’ve started a more “serious” weight lifting (heavier weights) routine on my own. I would really like to follow some of the strength training routines outlined in the Precision Nutrition member area, but I’m not sure if I should do Jeff’s class AND a whole additional weight training progression. I would probably have to do two workouts on those days so I could have days away from the weights, where I could do some light cycling on the rollers or something.
Speaking of rollers, I’ve been avoiding poor weather riding, but I figure I’m on a break right now so I can avoid it. I’m dreading the time when I have to man up and ride in the shit weather; if I want to come out swinging next year though, I have to do it. It’s funny to think about the days when I would go up and do intervals on council crest in the dark at 5:30am, and go on 3 hour rides after work and so forth. Wow I was nuts. But I was a lot faster than I am now. I’m going to have to start making the long slog bike ride to Camas again; while that was terrible training for cross, it’s great winter training (long and slow).
I started writing about my PN goals, but it went long so I’m making another post specifically targeting at that topic, to be posted soon.
