The wind was strong today, 15-25 mph, and rain threatened.  I cut my mileage back a bit as a result.  I want to get in 1,000 miles this month, and I have a short ride to do tomorrow to meet that goal.

I felt a little stale today, maybe due to the high mileage month.  Maybe it is catching up to me.  I have been focusing so much on cycling that I have ignored my total conditioning.  Haven't done any strength or stretch exercises to speak of in several months.  Starting in April, I plan to round out my fitness program by adding core strength workout, and stretching to my cycling, without cutting back on cycling volume.

At the start of my ride today I met a neighbor out on his P-38 and we rode the first 10 miles or so together. I rode the last 45 miles or so alone taking two laps of Longboat Key including St. Armand's Circle and Lido Key.  The total ride was 55.8 miles at an average speed of 14.6.  The wind wasn't bad today, but the traffic on St. Armand's and Lido was heavy, which slowed me quite a bit.  I started to tire a bit at the end due to the increasingly hot temperature.  It was a really nice day to ride.

Soon I will be returning to Atlanta.  My mileage may drop upon my return because cycling routes are harder to get to and there are more hills to deal with.  It will be nice to start climbing again after about 8 months in the flatlands.

Rest Stop at the North End of Longboat Key

The weather forecast said the wind would be 10-15 mph, but it didn't feel that strong.  I did 45 miles at a 15.5 mph pace.  I felt pretty good finishing up a 300 mile week.  Will probably take the next couple of days off due to need for rest and some other commitments.

What surprises me is how strong I feel without eating that much in the morning.  I am usually not hungry after rising.  Last night I made a green smoothie (apple juice, frozen berries, dates, banana, spinach) and drank a glass before heading out about 8:45 am.  During my only rest break I ate half of a Vega bar plus had some apple juice/water mix in my water bottle.  After the workout I still felt strong with no undo need to eat.

During the ride I was thinking about whether I should attempt a brevet series given the volume of training I have gotten this year....will be almost 2900 miles by the end of the month.  I can't get excited about doing these ultra distance cycling events, but maybe I'll change my mind.

Sarasota Bay from the north end of Longboat Key

Last night after dinner, I decided to go for a walk.  I had done 55 miles on the bike in the morning, but decided to proceed anyways.  I have been putting many miles in on the bike, and have been thinking that I am not getting enough impact exercise.  I plan to now walk several times per week, plus some pushups and sit ups for core strength.  I ended up walking six miles after dinner, and slept great last night.  Walking is a great way to exercise after a meal, plus it helps set up a good nights sleep.

This morning I was a bit fatigued from yesterday's biking and walking.  Did 44 or so miles on the bike bringing my yearly total to about 2700.  I am on tract to have a 1,000 mile month, my second this year, and should be close to 2900 miles by April 1st.  The wind was stronger this morning.  I started about 9:00 am and finished just before noon.  Took two laps around Longboat Key.  The picture shows a view of Sarasota bay from the north end of LBK.  My training rides here don't lack for beautiful scenery.  The traffic was fairly heavy on Gulf of Mexico Drive.  I am expecting lighter traffic when April comes.  Also, I plan on starting earlier now that the hotter weather approaches.

Broadway Avenue Peacock

A beautiful day with light winds out of the west getting a bit stronger towards the end of the ride.  I did 55 miles doing 2.5 laps of Longboat Key.  The weather is getting warmer (80s) and I will be starting out earlier and trying to finish before noon.   Today I started at 8:30 am while it was still cool.

With the rest day yesterday, I felt pretty strong, but the traffic and various interruptions kept my speed down a bit.

I love the HED-3 wheels I added recently.  They make the bike more aerodynamic, which is good for Florida constant winds.  I would like to complete 1,000 miles this month, and I am on track.  The flat terrain makes high mileage training days, day after day, more feasible without my getting unduly fatigued.  Each day I try to stop before getting too tired so that I will be fresh (sort of) tomorrow.

Gulf of Mexico Drive Snowbird Traffic

I woke this morning at 7:30 am, and drank a green smoothie (orange juice, whole grapefruit, 6 dates, a kiwi, a banana, several cups of mixed salad greens and mustard greens) before the ride.  This breakfast gives me lots of energy and is easy to digest, so it is fine to drink before hopping on the bike.    I carried a banana on the bike, which I ate at mile 45 or so, plus two water bottles with apple juice and water.   I also carry Vega whole foods chocolate energy bars in my seat bag, but didn't eat any today.  Except for two quick stops to pee, I rode straight on through.  Good workout.

I decided to reinstitute a regular training blog.  This is my first post in a long time relating my cycling experiences.

At the beginning of 2011, I set a goal of riding 10,000 miles this year.  In committing to this goal, I had no training plan in mind, and no particular cycling events to get ready for.  I simply want to surpass, by lots of miles, previous annual mileage totals.  Since I am in Florida this winter, training has been much easier for me compared to other riders around the country.  The weather here in Sarasota has been decent, although we have had our share of rainy and windy days.  Hardly a day goes by that I am not riding 20-30 miles directly into a 15-20 mph headwind.  I guess this is good training, although it doesn't feel like much fun when I am fighting these winds.  I can't complain because other riders around the country are dealing with winter weather.

Yesterday (March 23), I reached 2600 miles for the year.  Most of the riding has been on Longboat Key, near Sarasota, FL, and neighboring Keys of St. Armand's, Lido and Anna Maria Island.  I have completed one century ride, The Royal Palm Classic in Ft. Myers, Fl.  I have also done a couple of long treks (75 miles or so) from my home on Longboat Key to the end of the Legacy Trail and back.  The Legacy Trail connects Sarasota with Venice and is designed for leisure walking, biking, skating, etc.

My training bikes have been my Rans Ti-Rex, pictured in another post below, and my Rans X-Stream (pictured above).  The X-Stream was out of commission for several weeks while I ordered and fitted a new M5 carbon seat to the bike.  I have also added HED 3 carbon wheels.  Now that the bike is setup, the X-Stream will be my main training and event bike.  Not to take away from the Ti-Rex, a wonderful recumbent bike, but the X-Stream is fast and comfortable over long distances, and a bit more aerodynamic in the windy conditions here in Florida.  Also, I like the mid-racer format which keeps both my seat and my pedals a little closer to the ground.

My daily training miles are mostly in the 40-60 range.  During the last couple of weeks, the weather has been gorgeous and I have put in lots of miles.  I have averaged about 225 miles per week, but hope to increase that average to 275-300 in the coming weeks.

Although it is nice to have the flat terrain, I do miss the hills of north Georgia, where we spend the rest of the year.  I am sure I will pay a price in climbing conditioning when I return to Georgia at the end of April.  Riding against the wind is tough, but I doubt that it trains one for the hills.

Aside from the 10,000 miles, I have no other specific goals for 2011.  I have opted thus far against riding in ultra events, but am reconsidering and may do some brevets after I return to Georgia.  I do plan on cramming in as many centuries as possible and will do Bike Ride Across Georgia in June.  My plans for 2011 are evolving, so stay tuned.