The new Ride

Preparing for my last climbing trip to the Darrans in New Zealand, I did alot of endurance and anaerobic endurance training on a mountain bike. What I really noticed, when comparing cycling to running, was the difference to my knees: a two hour endurance session on the bike still spanked me aerobically, but my knees were fine afterwards, not sore for days. And besides, ripping down Norton Summit at 70km/hr on a bike sure beats jogging as a descent mode.

So I am now officially bitten by the cycling bug, and have got myself an "off the rack" aluminium roadie:

This Summer I'll be working on the finer points of cycling, and maybe even some pretentious Euro Styling. I'm also going to be catching up on some rock climbing - I've only been on the rock once in the last 6 months!!!

Volume

Last nights endurance workout - no more than 60 seconds rest between efforts:

• One arm pull downs 5x20 @ 40kg each arm
• Deadlift 5x20 @ 50kg
• Row 2000m @ 2:15 pace
• Calf raises 4x50 @ 45kg
• Back extensions 4x25
• Run 2500m @ 10k/hr pace

A total of 22 tonnes lifted and 4500 metres travelled in just over 68 minutes.

Canada is only 14 sleeps away!!!

Finding Inspiration

Anaerobic endurance training, the idea of which is to sit at or just below your anaerobic or lactate threshold for extended periods, sucks. Completely.

Ones anaerobic threshold is the point where the body is demanding more oxygen than it can deliver, and elevated lactic acid levels ensue. It is related to a genetically determined measurement called VO2 max - the maximum volume of oxygen uptake per minute per kilogram of bodyweight. Current thinking confers that VO2 max can not be increased - one can only condition themselves to increased amounts of time spent at their maximum.

I train anaerobic endurance six weeks prior to an alpine climbing trip, using a treadmill and heart rate monitor. A session consists of three sets: run just under your LT (lactate threshold) for 7 minutes, followed by jogging for 7 minutes. I bump up the set times each week, aiming for12 minute sets by the end of the six weeks.

For me, with a MHR of 192bpm and LT around 185bpm, this means operating at heart rates of 180bpm and 160bpm. There is no enjoyment or pleasure derived, or any sense of achievement. It is purely just a grind.

Up until yesterday, I have lacked motivation and purpose to my training. The last alpine trip to the Darran Mountains was snowed out - we didn’t even get to the hut. And the trip before that to China was a total waste of time.

But yesterday while struggling with the second set, my mind wandered. I remembered why I do this - sharing the hardships, beauty and rewards of a mountain with friends. The third set was much easier.