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In this thread you'll see that I've signed up for Lejog.
I'm also coming off a really low fitness base, so my thinking is to approach training like this:
* Careful diet to shed 15kg in 6 months
* As many Zone 2 rides as I can manage - long back to back zone 2 rides on Saturday and Sunday
* Cross training with pull-ups etc and kettlebells. Specifically doing Caroline Girvan kettlebell videos on YouTube with 12 and 16Kg bells. Hopefully a 20kg bell before the ride...
* Add as much yoga as time allows
My thinking being ride in zone 2 to get the base built, add some intensity from cross training at this stage rather than on the bike. Add intensity on the bike later.
My theory being to avoid to burning out early into the training process...what am I missing?
It is almost impossible to say from that information
What does poor base mean? What are your longest rides ever and recently? I.e. how much of a shock to the system will long days be and how much do you have to learn about the non-fitness parts about surviving longer days out like keeping the body niggle free/ nutrition/ etc?
There was lots of good advice on the other thread about practicalities of longer rides which are probably more important than pure fitness to a degree.
The "careful" diet thing is a bit of an alarm bell for me and I'd maybe rather just try to eat well consistently in sensible portions and not overindulge in sh1t too often. Weight loss is a simple equation and consistency is key much like fitness. If you start to restrict yourself or chase arbitrary targets that will probably affect the other aspects of building up well.
I am certainly not a coach or qualified to comment in any way but I suspect most people just benefit from trying to ride more and enjoy time out on the bike as often as possible rather than worry about certain zones or training plans. I wouldn't overthink the "intensity" thing and just have the general goal that longer and more consistent riding is better than 2 one hour blasts a week (common sense).
What do you think the kettle bell stuff adds? If you enjoy it and it makes you feel good/ is a different motivator for weight loss and feeling healthier go for it. Does it add anything to the bike directly? I'm less sure and I wouldn't cut out ride time but if it has other indirect benefits like I say then those are still benefits 🙂
I guess my view is keep your eye on what you want out by the end and don't over think things 🙂
@DanW Great food for thought there, thank you.
The kettlebells are for a bit of strength and core stability. Plus they are good fun. Think circuit training...
The base isn't too bad, I guess, just not where I want it to be. I've ridden 100 miles in a single sitting within the past 3 months - that highlighted I was not as fit as I liked to think ...