Three Thousand Eight Hundred Meters of Climbing Later

It’s Monday, and last week I climbed 2000m to Marchairuz on Monday, and then 465m to Romainmôtier on Thursday and then another 1300m on Sunday. The total is thus 3800m of climbing in a single week. The goal, for a month is 8000m so in two weeks, at this pace, I would reach the monthly goal.

Marchairuz Twice

This week, I was up at Marchairuz twice, once on Monday, and the second time on Sunday. The second time I tried to drink, while climbing, when the gradient eased off. On Monday I didn’t, so I was dehydrated by the time I got to the top.

Yesterday we also had another difference. It was cool, almost cold. Rain and hail were getting ready to fall, and I suspect that’s why the group suddenly decided to rush home, rather than wait to order coffee.

While everyone else rushed home I took the time to take photos of fields covered in poppies, and to enjoy the journey, without pushing as hard as if I was trying to keep up with a group.

Proper hydration helped.

Observing Fitness, Fatigue and Form

Yesterday I was asked why I didn’t ride on Saturday and I said that I was trying the Décathlon group. The second reason is that this year I’m watching my fitness, form and fatigue. I’m trying to stay within the grey zone according to Intervals.icu but also according to Strava and Garmin. If I do a tiring ride but I’m fresh, I have some reserve, to push. If I do one hard ride, and then a second, then I end up in reserve, and by the end of the ride I’m limping home, rather than thriving.

The Restful Five K

Ironically the Five K social run wasn’t that restful, because it started at a slow pace, but then it accelerated, and accelerated and accelerated with each kilometre. It went from 06:52 down to 05:25 by the end of the run. Nice consistent progression, and I was matching others. I suspect we tricked each other into gradual acceleration the entire time.

A negative split group run is still a positive experience.

I’d Like to Coast

Every so often, I’d like to do a group activity where I can coast, rather than push my limits. I’d like to go for a bike ride that doesn’t require me to push too hard. On the climb yesterday I felt that I was close to losing power, and stalling on a climb. Luckily I didn’t. I would like to do a few rides that don’t require grit.

The solution is simple. Ride with the Geneva relaxed group. Those rides usually involve less climbing. This Saturday I am running anyway. It’s good to vary my sports.