Training, Sportstest and Turbo Trainer

Been a bit busy, but, still managed to fit some training in last week, cycled to work last Tuesday. I needed to rest on Wednesday because I had a sportstest with Dr Garry Palmer on Thursday (along with the rest of the guys) to work out my optimum training zones. The test consisted of about 15 minutes of cycling at two different power outputs followed by a ramp test to check out max power. The initial stage of the test is supposed to be within your aerobic zone, however, I was running anaerobic from the start of the test which showed, not only how unfit I am, but also that I have been training at the wrong heart rate.
The ramp test showed I managed to output 231 Watts, which is a bit low, but not unexpected due to the length of time since I last did any proper exercise.

So, the result of the test showed I needed to take it easier for the next 6 weeks or so to be sure to improve my cardiovascular fitness and since I have to work hard to climb the hills on the way to and from work, this wasn't going to happen. So the answer was to get a turbo trainer.

The turbo turned up on Monday and is now set up in the garage. So far I have managed 45 minutes on Tuesday night and 30 minutes last night. According to my training schedule I need to do 45 minutes on Friday, which should be OK (if a little boring).

First Week of Training

Cycled to and from work three days last week and also managed a ride on Sunday. Training now in full swing. My heart rate has come down and moving speed is increasing. My legs are a bit tired at the moment when off the bike, but, seem to be better again once I'm moving.

Cycled 86 km, burned 2,500 Calories and managed to lose 3 Lbs in the process.

I have a Sports Test on Thursday with Dr. Garry Palmer, so should find out where my training zones should be. Back on the bike tomorrow and then a rest day on Wednesday.

First ride to work

Rode to work for the first time today. Not my longest ride, but, I do need to cycle home!
Here is the Garmin data

First Goal Achieved

Second training ride today, but, on a bike from this century! This was a hard ride, which was pretty much entirely down to the lack of power in my legs. Every little rise appeared to sap the strength and push my heart rate up. Although, it being one of the hottest October days on record didn't help either.

On the plus side I made it to the Chesterton Windmill which was the climb that finished me off on the previous ride. It also means I can now cycle to work, which will mean training won't eat into time with family as much .

Garmin data of the ride is here - Second training ride

I now need to get into more regular training.

Kirsten's Operation

Kirsten has now had her operation, is back home and doing well.

The operation took four and a half hours and went as planned. Carrying her down to theatre and then leaving her there asleep was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. Finding things to do for the next four hours was very hard, we walked full circuits of each floor of the Bull Ring shopping centre both with our mobile phones in our hands, just in case.

When we finally got the call at seven minutes past one, we still didn't know if everything was OK. Seeing her lying on a big bed with so many wires and tubes sticking out of her wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. She spent twenty-four hours in PICU and was then transferred back to the ward and into the High Dependency Unit. She then spent forty-eight hours on HDU where she was weaned of oxygen and morphine.

After the first day on HDU, she was more alert and we could see our little girl coming back. She was then moved back onto the main ward where she improved daily. On Sunday (5 days after the operation) she had her chest drains removed and this made it much easier to pick her up and change her nappy.

The next day she was allowed to go home. It took about a week for her to get fully back to her normal self and get back to a normal sleep pattern.

There are photos of Kirsten before and after the operation at the following link (Not for the faint hearted).
Kirsten's operation photos