My next race race, where I will need to ride my bike, is Ironman Chattanooga 70.3.  That race is more than 8 months away.

With so much time to prepare for that race, it would be easy for me to back off cycling for a few months, and then pick it up again.  There probably isn’t too much harm in doing that, but as I am highly motivated to improve at this sport, I am choosing to keep training.

That is why, at 7.00pm on a Friday evening, I was in my basement, working hard.  I was doing yet another big gear workout, designed to build strength on the bike. These big gear sessions really work.  I know this, because I have done a lot of them this year, and my FTP is currently the highest it has ever been. 

Bike strength is so important in long distance triathlon.  Aside from being the longest leg of the race, it is also has a huge impact on the run leg that follows.  So many ‘bad runs’ are caused by bike legs, that sapped an athlete’s energy.

As I write this blog, my quads are ‘feeling’ the after effects of my big gear session.  That means I worked hard, and with appropriate rest, my legs will get stronger.  I also have that satisfied feeling, knowing that another day of my journey as an athlete, is in the books.  I am fortunate that I remain highly motivated in these uncertain times.  Hopefully you are motivated too, but if not, let me know if I can help.