Ok, so I've been doing these indoor training classes for a handful of weeks now, and I am finding them rather enjoyable. I decided, after receiving some insider information, to try one additional class during the week (that brings the total up to 3) where I would be hooked up to a computrainer (read: a trainer with a computer that monitors your every pedal). Yes, fun, high-tech stuff. I was quite sick last week, but decided to torture myself by going to class anyway. Little did I know that we'd be taking a baseline measurement of our fitness. Ugh. Just my luck. We did a gradual hill climb simulation and I failed at 175 watts. Hmm 175...that's a high number, I think to myself. Come to find out, that number on the relative power-wattage scale is rather low. So fine, I was sick, I'd hardly eaten all day I'll give myself the benefit of the doubt and know that it can only go up from there.
Not so fast there speed racer.
Today, we did a drill where we built upon our baseline failure measurement and pedaled away at a specified wattage and rpm for a period of time. The instructor gave everyone their target number and when she came to me, mine was significantly lower than everyone else's. I can deal with this, I think to myself. After all, I have really only been doing this for a short period of time (reality check: only about 3 months now). Problem was, I was surrounded by people who have been doing this for literally years (the guy right next to me had just completed his nth Ironman). Doesn't do much for one's confidence, let me tell you. I made it through the first set, but had a bit of difficulty keeping up with the rpm. At some point during the second set, I realized I just wasn't going to make it at that pace and signaled to the instructor to come over to my bike. "Can I drop it a bit?" I asked her. She took one look at me (my face was beet red, the beads of sweat rolled down my nose and streamed off the tip like a waterfall...and my heart rate was about as high as my failure wattage) and dropped me 20 watts. Ugh. My dignity had just left the building. I continued to struggle at this new level through the remainder of the session. When it was time to go, the instructor came over to me and said not to worry about the fact that I had to drop back (right) because my form was perfect (sure) and I would just need to work on my fitness which equated to more time in the saddle. Yes, I nodded, that was excruciatingly apparent. Until next time...
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