Time Trials

My hip flexors and lower abs were severely sore today, while my glutes, quads and calves were just a bit on the tight side, and my ankles a smidge bit stiff. I can't complain too much, but I wasn't prepared to be sore in those particular places. Normally, it's all the other things that are sore, but I guess that's because of the hills and the fact that I wasn't pushing for speed.

I thought about not going to the gym tonight, but it was too hard to give up Arnold's (the cycling instructor) time trial. So I went, and it was like any normal Monday night. I went to Power (the strength class) and went a bit easy on the weights, and then to my first pseudo time trial.

Arnold and an assistant (who is also a cycling instructor) went around the studio every two minutes and recorded the wattages from each bike. I can't remember what my heart rate numbers were, but I know I was working well over 85% my max at the "all out" segments, and I kept my heart rate between 70 and 75% during the "moderate" periods. These are my stats:

Average Warm Up: 132 Watts
5 Minute All Out: 253 Watts - Apparently, I punked out on this one
10 Minute Moderate Pace: 170 Watts
20 Minute Time Trial: 300 Watts
10 Minute Moderate Effort: 120 Watts

For some sort of reference, Lance Armstrong cranks out something like 400 Watts and keeps it going for 5 hours. On the flip side, I'm pretty sure that I was the strongest woman in the studio tonight, and stronger than something like 75% of the men. For the 20 minute time trial, there was only one guy stronger than me. Just let me point out right here that I ran a very hilly half marathon yesterday morning. Then again, the guy was fighting a wicked head cold, so I may just have to admit defeat. We'll just wait five weeks and what comes of it. I think I can take him.