My turbovember story....

Like many others I took up @davemorts challenge to turbo every day in November for at least 30 mins.  Sounds a piece of cake right? Well not exactly because as well as the 30 minute minimum there are three longer 45 : 20 brick sessions, three 90 minute sessions and one bottom numbing 120 minute one.  Again, for most regular cyclists this is not that hard a challenge but hang on a minute, here's what I forgot to factor.

 

Firstly, I already have a training plan that requires me to swim, bike, run twice a week.  Add in a couple of PT sessions and you quickly start to find adding in the 30 mins a day without getting up early doors or getting on late a bit tricky to fit in.

 

Secondly, I have a busy job as I run my own business, it's not  a 9-5 with a lunch hour, like many I work long hours. I am often at events before or after work and I do a fair bit of travelling to see clients so getting home after 8.30pm on a school night is a fairly regular occurrence.

 

Thirdly, I am the wrong side of 40 and I need my sleep!

 

But all of that aside I have not shirked the task. I have been true to myself and consistently put in the time. In doing so I have learned....

 

• I am able to sustain cycling at a much faster cadence than I used to, for far longer
• That I am actually ridiculously stubborn (I probably knew that) and follow the turbo videos to the letter so that I would rather die than not finish off the efforts or a session - I have started so I will finish
• I quite like (but not love) my turbo as a wind down leg spinner after a tough session or a stressful day
• Watching male cyclists bottoms on a screen can be quite motivating during a long session
• I can drink a cup of team, eat a biscuit and file my nails while warming up (multitasking)
• I can even master a phone call as long as the caller does not mind some heavy breathing
• I do not have enough cycling kit or pairs of matching socks ever (washing machine on overdrive)
• I really need to paint the pain cave (utility room) and sort out the cobwebs on the ceiling
• I have welcomed the turbo on days when the weather has been windy and wet
• There is quite a nice bit of friendly, motivational camaraderie on twitter among fellow turbovember peeps.

So while I have been known to moan on a fairly regular, sometimes daily basis "I have still to do my sodding turbo session" overall it's been a good experience.

 

All in all I covered 1,459 mins during turbovember . My legs are in better shape and I am maintaining bike fitness that I would probably have dropped otherwise. 

 

Thanks to Jason and all the other people who made it happen, and to those at the top of the league table I doff my virtual cycling helmet to and to everyone else, a nice big virtual pat on the back and a slice of cake.

 

See you next year (maybe)

 

Lx