Well! What can I say…….bloody marvellous.
I was confident I’d be fit enough for all the rides, but didn’t know how I’d be against everyone else.
On the first day we headed into the hills – climbs up to 7-800 metres. Our main climb of the day was to a monastry- 780m. Worked out about a 650m climb over 7-8 kms. We all set off together, but within a few hundred yards we strung out. 3 of us left at the front, so I decided to apply a bit of pressure and see how long I could keep a steady pace- I could hear everyones beathing getting heavier- the talking stopped and after a min or so I was on my own. So I just kept it at that and ended up at the top about 3-4 mins before the next group and 10 mins before the last. Recovered quickly and went on to repeat on every climb we came to.
Day 2 Another climb of 6-700m. Again, kept my pace steady but blitzed everyone. This was having done the same on earlier climbs.
All in all, recovery was fantastic. Felt strong and great each day. No soreness in legs. Conversations were generally of the type “so how much riding are you actually doing?” and ” How come you are so strong when you’ve been riding around the flat lands and on a Turbo????”
Above all else, I’m really enjoying the training and it has strengthened my enthusiasm for more over the coming dark months. I feel like I’ve only just started on this journey and already the benefits are plain to see.
Can’t wait!