I’d rather replace my chamois with 120 grit sandpaper for a 60 min WO than do even 30 mins of Z1 - Z2 on the trainer.
I don’t care if it could add 20% to my FTP in 0.1 wks; NOT doin’ it. Dead stop.
[Outside, totally diff story. Rip-rip is waaaayy more fun, but cruising is fun too.]
SS, Thresh, VO2, I get excited about the WOs, look forward to them, enjoy they heck out of doing them, and feel great after.
Only did indoor Z2 once, I literally turned to my side, and thought about licking the paint on the wall, wondering “Hmmm. Wonder what it tastes like?” I was so bored. Never again.
As others in the thread; just tossing thoughts at ya to see if anything sticks: Would you be stoked to do a VO2 or SS on Sat AM, after your coffees ?
Got a chuckle. Yea, indoor endurance rides aren’t fun. Though my weekend motivation is about the same regardless of whether it’s a Z2, SweetSpot, or VO2 workout. That is, it’s all super low on the weekends. During the week, I usually have way higher motivation regardless of workout type. So weirdly my motivation is tied to the day of the week rather than the workout type.
Ok, so, that’s def out. How 'bout this: You’ve mentally blocked off your weekends as ‘relaxing time’.
’ “Work” , and working hard, physically are supposed to be over now!! ’
…sort of mentality. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong w that!! We’re all learning more and more about what recovery means, and that there’s a huge mental / relaxation side to it, as well.
So maybe training on the weekend is seen as taking that away / ruining that reward that you work so hard all week to deserve?
If that’s the case… poss junk the weekend Z2s ??? Or… see maybe if you can swap them for an SS, and then do some focused thought exercises / meditation to see if you can isolate the reward to being the end of actual work-work, and make a mental divide that counts physical work, on the bike [or otherwise] as “fun” / “me time” , and part of the reward, instead of part of the “continued work” ?
Never loved Bob’s, but ya, that dude that does Bob & Archer’s voice has a super distinctive voice, eh? You know it from the first word out of his mouth!
Cyclocross was invented to keep you warmer in the winter months than road cycling. You cant beat running and swimming either to make things manageable through the winter.
I may have found a solution. Yesterday I had another VO2 workout. I wanted to try something different. So I signed up for the Zwift Tiny Race series, which for those who don’t know what that is, is 4 races, 1 every 15 min. So 10/1015/1030/1045. Each race is like 4-6km long and takes about 10 minutes. I always found it easier to bury myself during races. So I used it like a 4x4-5min VO2. As hard as I could go straight from the gun for 4-5 minutes. Then recover in between races, which was around 5-6minutes. Turned into a nice 4 sets of VO2 work, and I was really happy with the numbers and HR I could hit. Almost made a solo break stick in NY but got caught with like 500 to go.
Cross country ski in winter on weekends. I’d do it if we got enough snow but it’s typically 30 and sunny where I live. If my only choice was long rides on the weekend in a bike trainer, I wouldn’t do it. So I hear you. You dread it for a reason. Just skip it. Once the weather breaks and you can ride outside again, you’ll have that fitness back and beyond in a month or two.
That’s usually our go-to as well, but being stuck on manmade snow loops (aka hamster wheels) all winter has taken it’s toll, only nice thing about no snow has been the long road and gravel rides we’ve already been able to do in MN! In February!!
Birkie last week was better than expected, wider deck and 10k loop held up nicely
