Running Less, Cycling More

I have a draft blog post entitled “How to Know When It’s Time to Trade in the Running Shoes for Cycling Shoes.” I started it a couple of years ago during a pity party while sidelined with my ongoing back issue caused by minor disc herniations that love to act up on occasion. My back has been threatening to act up for the last few weeks so I’ve temporarily cut back on my running and greatly increased my time on my bikes.

Even though there was no running this past week, now is not the time to hit publish…

 

Overview of the Week

Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…

 

Sunday

Cycling: 42 miles
• Average speed: 12.2 MPH
• Bike: Cannondale Topstone
• Surface: gravel
• Elevation gain: 3,005 feet
• Start time: 9:34 AM
• Location: western Loudoun County
• Weather: 66° and cloudy, climbing to 79° and sunny
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey

Bill and I returned for the second year to participate in the 40-mile Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder (there were also 60 and 80 mile route options). Despite rain in the forecast, we stayed dry while appreciating the cooler temps thanks to cloud coverage for most of the ride. I don’t plan to recap the ride, but if you’d like to read about last year’s fun, you can read that recap here.

Recent heavy rain made the water in Butcher’s Branch on the deeper side, but Bill gave it a try and made it across without wiping out.

I, being of sounder mind and klutzier riding skills decided to carry my bike across…

Monday

Strength training : 1 hour of total body

 

Tuesday

Walking: 5K
• Average pace: 14:14
• Start time: 7:28 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 74°, cloudy to sunny to cloudy, and humid
• What I wore: shorts, tank, and visor

Cycling: 10 miles
• Average speed: 16.7 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness spin cycle
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8:30 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 68°
• What I wore: bike shorts and jog bra

 

Wednesday

Strength training : 1 hour of full body

Gardening: 1 hour

 

Thursday

Cycling: 42 miles
• Average speed: 14.7 MPH
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 1,276 feet
• Start time: 6:03 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Sterling to Clark’s Gap loop
• Weather: 71° and cloudy, climbing to 76° and sunny
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey

I met my friend Chuck for an early morning ride on the W&OD Trail. Rain was in the forecast for east of us, but I think most trail users thought we were to get rain because the trail was quite empty. Chuck and I were able to ride side-by-side and chat most of the time.

 

Gardening: 1 hour

 

Friday

Strength training : 1 hour of full body

Balance and stretching: 45 minutes

 

Saturday

Cycling: 33 miles
• Average speed: 12.1 MPH
• Bike: Cannondale Topstone
• Surface: gravel
• Elevation gain: 2,301 feet
• Start time: 8:57 AM
• Location: western Loudoun County
• Weather: 66° and cloudy, climbing to 68° and sunny with wind gusts of 25 MPH
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey

After a very hot and extremely humid week, delightfully cool and crisp air moved in overnight leaving me almost chilly at times on our ride. We met friends in Bluemont for a gravel ride on a fantastic course with beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Overall, it was a fantastic ride and I felt strong, but those headwinds on the last half, wow!

 

Last Week’s Blog Posts

In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…

 

 Questions:
  • • How much time do you get to spend outside each day?
  • • What was your favorite workout of the week?
  • • Did you run in a race this weekend?

 

And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!

 

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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!