It’s definitely fall now. There’s lots of rain in the forecast, cooler temperatures, and getting dark early in the evening.
But I’ve been trying to think differently about this particular fall season. For me, it’ll be summer, not winter, when I get to January.
Wait. What’s that? How’s that work, you say.
In January I’m on a four month research leave and the first two months will be spent in New Zealand. In January, it’s summer there.
Yes, I’ll be writing papers and giving talks but I’ll also be riding my bike lots. Sarah and I will be traveling around for a few weeks with bikes before settling into Dunedin where I’ll be visiting at the University of Otago.
We’ve rented a place close to St Clair Beach. I’ll be commuting by bike to work.
So this means in terms of cycling, I’m going to have a very short off season. I’m going to need to stay in bike shape for January. Or, in my case this year, I’m going to have to get in bike shape.
So what’s the plan exactly?
🚴♀️ Zwift social rides, bike commutes, ZRL bike races, and a Zwift training plan.
💪 Personal training twice a week
🐕 Dog walks
⏰️ Physio once a week
I definitely spend enough time exercising but as I’m now 60, I’m thinking about what it takes to stay fit.
Mostly the stuff on the list above are things I enjoy doing. But I’m going to have to do some hard things, things that aren’t so much fun. Sprint training isn’t fun. High Intensity Interval Training isn’t fun either. If I want to stay bike speedy I have to do those things.
Part of why people start to slow down at 60, is that they stop doing the kind of training that makes you speedy. There’s nothing magic about it. It’s a simple “use it or lose it” situation. If you don’t train for speed, you don’t get speed.
I started thinking about this at 56! And I’m still thinking about it. Wish me luck.
On turning 56 and thinking about age and speed
The Cave