I've been struggling with a lack of endurance, even on the short 6mi rides I've been doing. Wondered if my heart rate wasn't increasing with the demand, so I got the heart rate monitor out of mothballs, and started riding with it. Discovered that my heart is responding appropriately, but that I'm just very slow to recover from any anaerobic bursts. Decided I would try to ride exclusively in the aerobic zone and avoid any anaerobic efforts until I get fitter. Finding the target zone can be a challenge. There are many formulae for finding it, and they sometimes yield alarmingly different results. In the end, I resorted to trial and error, and arrived at a target zone that I knew would make me work, but not blow me out. My anaerobic threshold seems to be just under 140bpm, while anywhere below 112bpm I feel like I'm loafing, so I set my target zone for 117-134bpm. Today, Judy and I set off on the picturesque 10.1mi Hooker farm loop. The zone alarm on my heart rate monitor reminded me if I was pressing too hard, and I backed off, even on the shorter hills to stay in the zone. On the last hill of the ride I still felt fresh with plenty of leg left, so I went ahead and let myself go over a little. The last mile is a refreshing downhill, and I pulled in to our driveway feeling refreshed and exhilarated. Best bike ride so far this year! Weather: 80°F, sunny, moderate humidity
Terrain: rolling, some shade
Distance: 10.1mi
Speed: (avg) 11.5mph; (max) 32mph;
Avg Cadence: 72rpm
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