Weight Up, Power Up, New Personal Best
There is something odd about October. Last year I put on 4-5 pounds after the Everest Challeng, and this year same deal— 4-5 pounds in 3 weeks. Yet last year I set a new 2011 personal best on Old La Honda at the higher weight, and today I just set a new personal best on a singletrack time trail run.
There are two thoughts that intrigue me—
- The leanest weight (lowest body fat) is not necessarily where the body can deliver peak power.
- Something seasonal (amount of daylight?) always causes me to gain 4-5 pounds very quickly, right around October. This has happened as far back as I can remember. It’s not like I quit riding and started eating. It is definitely seasonal in nature.
The body is pretty smart.
Power and heart rate on Black Mtn singletrack, October 23, 2012
Moots Pyschlo X RSL with bike light, small repair kit, 2.3 pound water bottle
Moots Pyschlo X RSL with bike light, small repair kit, 2.3 pound water bottle
Four days later I returned and took another 18 seconds off.
Power and heart rate on Black Mtn singletrack, October 27, 2012
Moots Pyschlo X RSL with bike light, small repair kit, 1.5 pound water bottle
Moots Pyschlo X RSL with bike light, small repair kit, 1.5 pound water bottle
