Got Milk?
Hey there, welcome back for my July post. I wanted to get the post done early rather than risk forgetting about posting towards the end of the month. Plus, it’s well north of 100° outside right now and it definitely helps me get more things done in the home as I am avoiding going Outdoors. Here in Arizona we have broken two highs for temperature in the past week. I think it hit 117 twice. Once last week and once this week. The got milk title to this post has to do with the Tour of America’s Dairyland in Wisconsin. It’s a series of three criterium races for hand cyclists and then the able-bodied categories do 10 or 11 total races. This race has gone on for 30 plus years but under different titles. The hand cyclists have only been doing the race for 10 years or so. It truly is a top-notch event with a great support. Spectators or fans line the course almost everyday, they’re fast courses, lots of venues, and great camaraderie among them both hand cyclists and upright and cyclists. This year I was able to win two of the three races I competed in. Every time I got about a liter of chocolate milk. And they were handing out tons of chocolate milk everyday! Not my typical go to but a great recovery tool! I also won a huge wheel of cheese. I was able to enjoy some of the cheese on a toasted cheese sandwich the night before I came back to Arizona. I left the wheel of cheese with those who I stayed with as they live out there. The real feel was around 102 ° each day even though it was in the upper 80s to low 90s with thick humidity. Humidity is exhausting when your body cannot naturally cool itself down. I would drench myself with water before each race and add even more after to cool down. There was a man along the course on the third day who had a hose and a few times that I came by his house, as it was along the course, he sprayed me. It was perfect! I would not have made it without getting drenched with water. I hope to return to that race next year.
As for training, I am pleasantly surprised. Last week and this week I did two of the best workouts I’ve ever done. I am surprised with my performance in a good way 🙂 When I was over in Wisconsin I did put a slightly bigger wheel on the front of my bike with a tubeless tire. I’m not sure if that is helping me perform better but it would be a lot more efficient which would save me energy allowing me to more appropriately apply saved energy when in need. The tire is definitely smoother and carries a little more momentum. These are two very good things when it comes to maximizing performance and efficiency. The wheel is a little heavier but the rolling resistance of the tire is less. I need to get out on the road more, weather permitting because of the heat here, and get a better comparison of how effective this wheel may be. If I’m saving a couple watts with a more efficient setup that is huge. That could equal a couple percent Improvement in performance.
As for teaching, I’m starting to prepare my course for the fall. I’m teaching exercise prescription and testing. I may take on another course or two but still deciding. The World Championships are coming up in 8 weeks and my top priority at this time. I will race on August 28th and 30th. The time trial is my main focus for those two days but I need to be able to be competitive in both. The funny thing is yesterday’s workout was beyond expectation. It was just right. My shoulders and arms are absolutely feeling it today. I’m happy with that. I’m even having a hard time just getting some day-to-day tasks done though because I’m exhausted. In training, intensity should be about 15 to 20% of your weekly total. The rest of the training needs to be much more moderate to sustain progress and continually allow progression. Can’t wait to get out on the road more and test out this new wheel setup. Next month you will once again hear how preparation is coming along for the world championships. I will fill you in more at that time on what I think of the wheel, my metrics in performance, and more. Health is wealth! Choose growth 🙂
