The Off Season.

Well today was a wake up call.

I decided to show up for a hill climb workout with some university friends today. My thoughts were that "No big deal, Ive trained all year..despite not getting my HR above 90% in over a month, how bad could it be?"

It was bad.

During the prime of the season, busting out sets of 5 hill climbs (approx 30s per hill climb) with two minutes rest between and usually doing 30-40 was a piece of cake.

Today, I felt like I was going to have a heart attack after my first set. My HR barely came close to its max, but it was pounding as if an atom bomb was going on inside. My legs were relatively ok, but my cardio was poor. At least by summer standards.

Its no secret that I have whole heartedly embraced the off season. Between, epic party weekends, skipping regular rides and work there hasn't been much reason to train. I was fence sitting on the squeezer, and for the first time in awhile I havent had a reason to do the University Cups.

Today really emphasized how much top end ive lost. My endurance is still there, as Ive squeaked in a few decent rides.. but the racing top end is gone. Non existent.

The only other race I would consider from here on in, is the Iceman in Michigan. With 6 weeks until that race Its do or die. I have to decide whether or not I want to do it ASAP, and then devise a 5 week intense top end plan to regain my top end, which should still be within grasp.

I've had a month of relaxation...

Can I salvage a decent race end of season?