In my last post I mentioned that Saturday I was riding with some ‘fast’ young triathletes. One I coach and the other is an old friend. Another friend Jim, who is not a triathlete, called and asked if he can come on the ride. Jim is a big guy. He is tall and with extra pounds. But don’t let his size fool you, he has lots of power and a big heart. Jim and I have ridden about once a week all summer on ‘fat burning rides’. So it was going to be interesting to ride with some fit Ironman triathletes. Fortunately, one of the fast triathletes could not make it because he promised his significant other to go visit garage sales. So it was Jim, I and one stud triathlete on a long ride.

The ride went really well actually. I would say that we talked for 75 % of the ride. That is always a good sign for fat burning. It was perfect. Once we hit the point were Jim and I were to turn around I helped my fast triathlete friend with some directions as to were to go get his 6+ hour ride in. When Jim found out I was turning around he pulled up next to me and said. “Are we only riding for three hours?” To which I replied yes.” I told my wife this morning that I was only riding for three hours so I can not change my mind now”. That question was funny coming from Jim. Just a month ago he bagged the local Century ride because it was too long.

The reason for choosing this story today is to highlight how we all have the tendency to keep on training long and hard if not knowledgeable on periodization and peaking. Mark Allen just wrote a piece on the importance of ramping down in the off season. We can not continue training hard and long all year. Peaking requires periods were we rebuild mentally and physically. Even during the racing season it is not wise to ride 100 milers every weekend.

So the ride went great. It was a nice and cool day here in Boulder. Today I get to do a longish run and lift weights. Both of my kids woke up sick with colds so I hope I do not catch it. I am loading up with vitamin C, fluids, Echinacea and some Chinese herbs just to make sure. It will be hard not to catch it as when I hold them their fluids get on you. Doctors do this all the time. I guess I’ll wash my hands a lot.