Weekly Ride Report - 4/7/14 - 4/12/14

Date	Route	Course	Ride Time	Total Time	Distance	Avg Speed	Altitude	Max Altitude	Max Speed	Odometer
04/07/14	Rose Bowl Laps	Flat	00:56:38	01:01:07	16.4	17.4	487	962	28.3	31867
04/08/14	Rose Bowl Laps	Flat	00:53:45	00:57:43	16.4	18.3	585	962	29.7	31884
04/09/14	Rose Bowl Laps	Flat	00:53:53	00:58:43	16.4	18.3	560	949	28.3	31900
04/10/14	Rose Bowl Laps	Flat	00:53:35	00:59:42	16.4	18.4	530	962	29.7	31917
04/11/14	Rose Bowl Laps	Flat	00:54:18	00:58:56	16.4	18.1	666	955	29.7	31933
04/12/14	East Fork Bridge	Climb	02:53:33	03:03:03	45.4	15.7	2583	1654	32.7	31978
		Total Time	07:25:42	Total Distance	127.4	Total Climb	5411

I started off slow, as I eased back into the training, but then I immediately set my 3 fastest times of the year on my flat course. The recovery week seems to have done my muscles good. Then, some climbing up to the East Fork Bridge for the long ride. This first 3 week block I call shock block. What I do is concentrate on a certain kind of course all week, but then the longer ride is something else entirely. Here, I went flat all week, and then I stuck in an 11 mile climb for the weekend. My job for the week is to replicate what I want my legs to be doing on the different course for the weekend, and if I don't do my job properly, my legs are in for a shock on different terrain. Of course, they're in for a shock anyway, since I'm still getting stronger, and the muscles used during the week won't be used as much on the weekend. But it's all about trying to be strong on all parts of the pedal stroke, and turn big muscle groups into helper muscle groups when I need them. Still, shock block.

And here was my reward for seeing my old friend the East Fork Bridge: stopped on the side of the road for 20 seconds.

My penalty? Headwind on the way down the canyon. At least it wasn't gusty, so I didn't get picked up and dropped 2 feet from where I started. That was always fun in the afternoons...