Since I'm going to be starting my training program in 9 days I'm a bit torn with what to do with myself in the meantime. Some folks say to eat like a pig and enjoy your last few days of freedom. Having previously trained for a marathon I realize that whatever sins I commit now, I'll have to pay for later.
That said, I enjoyed Thanksgiving like a death row inmate eating his last meal but I also participated in the annual Turkey bowl with a bunch of guys from church so I felt like I deserved to splurge. The annual football game refreshed my memory of something I have to look forward to when the training starts...pain. After running around like a fool for 2 hours and playing a rather heavy handed version of two-hand touch, I am in a lot of pain. Strangly enough, it's my ribs that hurt the most. Sitting on the couch and watching football is fun but when I try to pry myself off the furniture it hurts. Even the little muscles in my feet hurt.
About two years ago I did the first 7-8 weeks of P90X. I couldn't walk for about 5-6 days. It did work however. I plan on using some of the videos of that program during my winter training mixed in with cycling of course. If I did the entire P90X system I would be in great shape but I'd also have more upper body mass than I want. As a cyclist you want your upper body to be fit, not Mr. Universe fit. You don't want to be carrying weight that isn't helping move you forward. You want a firm frame and that's what core training can do for you. As I mentioned in a previous post I don't want to be rail thin. I want to get some solid fitness through a combination of a few items.
1. Treadmill running (Weight control, cardio and impact training that cycling doesn't provide.)
2. P90X (Only selected parts, for overall strength and coordination.)
3. Core work (A fast bike needs a stiff frame, so does an athlete.)
4. Bike rollers (Base miles as well as interval training. I plan on doing most, if not all of my winter cycling indoors. If it's 49 degrees or under, count me out.)
I have some Kreitler rollers I intend to use for indoor training. Some people do damage to themselves with these things but I've had them for about 3 years now so I can watch tv while keeping a consistent cadence. It takes about 30 min for a first timer to get the hang of them so you don't fall off but more like a year before you can focus on something else while riding. I've fallen once or twice, I'll admit it. I don't do any tricks. That's just for people with far too much time on their hands. I can go edge to edge and have fairly good control. I like to do cadence work on these. The primary limitation is not being able to do any out-of-saddle training. The problem with not being able to get out of the saddle is that you tend to get numbness due to sitting in the saddle the entire time as well as the lack of variation in your bike position. Sprint work will have to wait until March.
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