Sweet Spot Training 🍧 🍭 🍬
Sweet spot training certainly ought to appeal to me! My sweet tooth always has been all out of proportion to my size; and for all I know, the parallel to that is legs that want to go and go.
What is this sweet spot? It’s not found in the candy shop; so where is it? I have to look to my bicycle computer for that.
About seven years ago, I did a VO2 Max test; and worked out my heart-rate zones from the results. These zones are entered in my bike computer’s program; and I can see after a ride how much time I spent in each heart-rate zone. I spend a lot of my pedaling time in Zones 3 and 4; often mostly in Zone 4. That puts me in the sweet spot training zone! 😊
Too Much? 😟
But do I spend too much time there? On the one hand, if I want to extend my daily mileage, I need to increase my pace if I don’t want to spend hours a day on the bike. On the other hand, there is such a thing as diminishing returns; or even burnout. Nobody needs that!
It might be helpful if I could consult an exercise physiologist: what’s the best training schedule for me if I want to work up to RAGBRAI 2025? Am I doing the right things to increase my force (aka strength)?
In addition, how can I determine whether I’m burning more of fat or carbs on the bike? I know that, the greater the intensity, the more the body turns to carbs (aka glycogen) for fuel. But how do I avoid getting too much of carbs, and still get enough calories and protein?
On-Bike Carbs 🍞
I need on-bike carbs; that’s certain. The Athlete’s Guide to Diabetes goes into sports nutrition for diabetics in quite a lot of detail; and I admit that it’s a bit over my head. What I do get out of it is: people who have diabetes, and who practice sports, have to watch that their activities don’t cause their blood sugar to drop too low (yes, that’s LOW). It all sounds quite complicated; particularly for those who need to take insulin.
So far, I don’t have diabetes; but I’m certainly flirting with it. I hope soon to find a doctor who can point me in the right direction for my on-bike fueling!
This blog/page may contain affiliate links.
“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”
ABOUT ME
I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story.
I live in New Orleans; and retired in January 2023. More time for cycling!
Website designed by Cecile Levert
© This website is the property of its author.
DISCLAIMER
I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.
TRANSLATOR
