How have you been?

6 months since my last post, and yes I'm still biking (and now running!) regularly.

As the government eased off the lockdown rules here in Metro Manila, my run sked is now back to normal, playing at around 2-3x a week. Trainerroad Run CTL has been progressing well, especially now that I scheduled a 21k "race" for myself and an officemate for Oct. 21 ---my birthday.

21 @ 21

Yup, it's my first ever birthday race aptly called "21 @ 21" complete with a finisher shirt for the gang (Ling and I will run 21k while Pat will be there for maybe about 10k to support us).

The route will just be around the Greenhills Shopping Mall which is approximately 1.1km ---so we'll run around it 19 times! Hahahaha...We don't want to venture out of that route since it's mostly flat. (grin) 

Since we're running this just to complete the distance, I recon we'll finish this at about 2hrs and 45mins, God willing. I will plant my car (a.k.a. aid station) somewhere along the route with water, gels, and Gatorade ready at the back. Just finishing it (amidst this pandemic) is a great accomplishment in itself. Ling last ran a 21k probably close to 7 or 8 yrs ago so he will definitely be happy if he succeeds on this one.

Cabading

As to my cycling, I'm towards the end of a 6 week rest period after I completed a base-to-build cycle, upping my FTP to 187 which is my highest (so far). 200 watts is still possible this year as long as I religiously stick to the TR plans that I will set.

During this rest period I was able to climb up to Cabading on two occasions, with the tip becoming my favorite respite for senti and IG-pictorial moments hehe. Seeing the mountains (and being on top of it!) touching the skies gives such a romantic feeling that the 13km arduous climb is all worth it.

And yes, I will always climb to it again given the chance. :)

Hopefully you're also back in your (training) groove wherever you may be. Stay safe!

Training Amidst COVID19

Now in the latter half of this government-imposed COVID19 quarantine, I'm making do with training whenever I can.

I'm glad I have an indoor bike trainer setup which enables me to continue base building on my bike form and fitness. With a Trainerroad subscription coupled with a smart strainer (plus with a LOOOT of free time in my hands), I'm still riding.

The one that got hit are my runs, which I'm unfortunately limited to 1 or 2 times a week. I found a small 1k loop in our neighborhood which I try to run on with special attention to #socialdistancing. The loop gets ever boring as the kms tick away so a long run is not really in the cards for me. I'm able to compensate, somewhat, by including dumbbell strength training and HIIT workouts in the week. These are very short indoor workouts but I'm banking on them to help complement my cardio based workouts.

I'm ever positive about this quarantine setup as it'll help reduce unnecessary COVID19 transmissions. Hopefully, a vaccine is made soon.

Take care!

Still Here...2020 version

My right knee has recovered about 95% now as evidenced by my training logs. Thanks to foam rollers, a lot of zone2 training, AAAND a lot of rest when I think I need to (and also when I don't need to, hahaha), CTL is now at 30 (from a low of 25-27). It's still low from the usual 50s when I'm race ready but I'll take the slow but sure progress.

A big boost was also my once a week bike-to-work on my son's 27.5 MTB from Carti. Pace is slow due to the heavy bike and traffic but it's still good exercise that gives my bike CTL a good lift for the week.

Before last night I was still doubtful that I'm race ready for anything, but thanks to my officemate/duathlete Vernier a.k.a. The Cannibal he was able to get me a race slot for the upcoming Clark Global Dua this March 29th.

The 6k-60k-4k distance was tempting but I knew I won't be able to race that long with my current form and fitness. Thus I decided to take the short version, 3k-30k-2k, as my first race of the season. The distance should be more than manageable but I will have to train (cautiously) for the pace.

And it's another ride on the SCTEX....why reject the invite? 😁😁😁

The only way is UP!

I had been sidelined for about 2 weeks now as my right knee has been showing signs of aging, no thanks too much basketball (but I love you Kobe, RIP!). Slowly, I'm inching my way back to regular training, being careful not to exert too much effort so that I don't injure it again.

I can feel some 'looseness' on my right knee which constantly prompts me that I may have to see a doctor (ortho?) if there has been any serious damage, but my busy work/family sked is just getting in the way. I will have to allot some time for this before it gets any worse.

But definitely, I may have to stop playing basketball, sadly, permanently.

My CTL is at it's worse (27!) so I really have to get back into training. I'm trying to look for a race to sign up to, whether a 10k or 21k run, a duathlon, or a cycling race (there's a bike race in March so I'm looking into that one) to keep me motivate.

Hopefully all goes well (training and knee-wise) on my next post...

Vacation's Over

And just like that, it's the year 2020.

Happy New Year....

...and my TP CTL is STILL at 35. I managed to get a few workout streaks here and there last month but, coupled with the holiday feasting and vacations, I couldn't keep it consistent.

So here I am again, at the start of the year, trying to get out of this losing slump and get back in (racing) shape.

Need to focus. Come on man!!!

Tsk...