About 6 weeks ago I decided to take advantage of the longer days and less pressured schedule to do summer base training. I tried to put in as many hours on the bike per week as I could, sticking to the same two weeks high volume, one week rest and recovery.
Since it’s the end of my second recovery week, I tested my fitness with Chris Carmichael’s maximal effort method. I have a route that’s about 2.5 miles long (short of the recommended 3 miles). I ride it as fast as I can, ride slowly back to the beginning, then ride again the second time.
The last time I tested myself was May 2, when I had a few months of shorter, high intensity interval training completed. My best run was 17.7 mph with an average heart rate of 164. Two and half months later, I managed 17.2 mph at the same heart rate. My muscular endurance was worse, because I was much slower on the second run this time compared to last.
So I feel like I detuned myself riding at high intensity by upping the miles and dropping the intensity. However, the idea of periodization is to build an aerobic base with slower, longer rides and build on it with intervals. So once I start building again in September, it will be interesting to see whether I can beat the May times.
