Breaking through

Every few weeks, I can feel a change in my workouts. The volume builds and then it backs off. With each recovery, I can feel the difference. This week was no exception. I am in my final week of adult rehab PT. The last 8 weeks have been filled with heavy lifting and being on my feet 8 hours a day. Then I come home and workout. I've had to flip flop workouts to adjust to how I feel physically. This week is a bit of a 'light' week.

I've been stuck inside mostly due to the weather or darkness. I've been eager to get out and ride, but the time is not right yet. The bright side is the trainer rides have been going well. The trainer keeps you honest. There is no coasting. I can feel a difference in my cycling since January. I've been using a powermeter to give me feedback about my rides. I can see my average watts coming up over the last few weeks. I will be doing a formal power test soon so we will see if I still pedal like a 5 year old.

Most of my runs have been on the treadmill. Last weekend the wind, cold and darkness kept me indoors. The hamsterwheel treadmill also keeps me honest. The pace setting on the treadmill is not accurate. I know what pace I run outside and when I set it on the treadmill, it's not right. It's too fast, so I just go by perceived exertion. If it's supposed to be an interval run, I just turn up the speed and then slow it down to recover. I feel like I'm working hard.

I got home early yesterday and had the opportunity to run outside in the daylight. It was a 4-5 mile easy run. I got changed, popped on the headphones, and made my way out. Almost from the start, I was feeling good. I was lost in my thoughts and before I knew it, I could feel the watch vibrate and realized I was 3 miles in. I made the turn into the home stretch. Another 1.6 miles and I was home. It felt so nice to be outside and the temperature was comfortable too. Now if spring was only just around the corner.

After the run, I was thinking about the last few weeks of training. I could feel I've made a small breakthrough in my training and fitness. I feel I am on to the next level and ready for more challenges.