Never Knew Riding Easy Was So Hard
06-18-15, 08:20 AM
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Never Knew Riding Easy Was So Hard
Newbie biker seeking improved fitness doing week #1 of an 8 week heart rate zone based training plan. Yesterday's tempo ride was invigorating but pretty easy to keep in the right zones (mostly 3). Was really looking forward to today's easy ride as it was all well within zone 2.
Who knew it was so so hard to keep the HR down in zone 2?
I really had to work at balancing cadence and effort to keep from jumping up into a higher HR zone. I managed it OK, but managing is the right word. It took a lot of focus and awareness to keep from going too hard on an easy day.
I feel great now that it's done but was really surprised that the "sweet spot" balancing cadence and effort was so elusive.
Who knew it was so so hard to keep the HR down in zone 2?
I really had to work at balancing cadence and effort to keep from jumping up into a higher HR zone. I managed it OK, but managing is the right word. It took a lot of focus and awareness to keep from going too hard on an easy day.
I feel great now that it's done but was really surprised that the "sweet spot" balancing cadence and effort was so elusive.
06-18-15, 08:44 AM
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It gets easier as you build fitness: you'll make a lot more power in Z2.
Tip: it's easier to manage your effort by breathing, because the feedback is faster than HR in most cases. Z2 is characterized by very easy breathing and ability to converse normally.
Tip: it's easier to manage your effort by breathing, because the feedback is faster than HR in most cases. Z2 is characterized by very easy breathing and ability to converse normally.
06-18-15, 09:43 AM
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I always try stay in small cog during z1. Biggest challenge are other cyclist passing you 
06-18-15, 11:44 AM
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Stick with the plan to get all you can right now. The future holds wonders if the base miles are put in properly.
When I ride with the guys it's pretty much all out from start to finish. Being 3 weeks post prostate cancer surgery I am now Z-1
but at least back on the grocery grabber. Did 15 miles of ultra slow errand riding today and boy am I tired.
When I ride with the guys it's pretty much all out from start to finish. Being 3 weeks post prostate cancer surgery I am now Z-1
but at least back on the grocery grabber. Did 15 miles of ultra slow errand riding today and boy am I tired.
