Back to normal

Things are getting back to normal after the BAF fiasco. Or at least as normal as things get around here. The temps are up to the mid-80s, the pollen counts are getting up there as well, and we're starting to see an occasional thunderstorm every other week. All signal that spring is full throttle and summer is looming like a fire breathing dragon waiting to pounce.

I've been working to get my leg speed and power back since my so-called training for the BAF meant long steady miles with very few excursions into my heart rate "red zone." It will take a while since my body responds better to building strength first with leg speed a distant second. Around 90-95 cadence is optimal for me to remain comfortably breathing without going beyond my lactate threshold for most rides. Right now I'm stuck at these variables seen when I'm at the front of our group rides pulling with flat terrain: 25 mph for 10-15 minutes, 174-180 HR, and 90-95 cadence. The speed is not the critical thing here, but the HR and time spent at this exertion level is. I use those two as the gauge of how fit I am, and right now I'm no where close to where I want or need to be.

The last few rides have been enjoyable since the weather has been fantastic and there has been a very balanced group doing the A route on Tuesday and Thursday nights. I was worried since the number of riders in the A group had actually fallen to about 3-4 a month ago, but it has picked up of late. Last night's total ride numbers was impressive to say the least with around 20 folks starting and about 9 making the cut to stay in the A group once we reached the second Powersville hill. My legs took forever to finally come around, but I started feeling good about 15 miles into the ride.

I can't express how nice it is to have a group that works well together and takes a turn at the front. No one was shirking responsibility last night and there was only a few times that people had to drop back to rest a bit instead of taking a turn on the front. They did it right, however, by pulling out of the line and falling back instead of rolling off the front without pulling at all. We did the extra loops adding two more climbs into the route and re-grouped each time to keep the pack together. I turned off once we reached Lake View road and headed back through Powersville to go to Kat's house to meet Diana. I finished the ride with averages of 20.6 mph and 154 HR for 42 miles.

Another great ride in central Georgia.