Data Junkie

A nice bit of riding outside today. Probably a bit too much riding if I am honest, but nice all the same.

Yesterday I got an invite to come out riding with fellow SwimSmoothers Emily Loughnan and Graham Crocker. These two triathlon superstars were heading out for a steady ride and asked if I wanted to come too. I was a little hesitant because, while they would be riding steady, they are both amazing athletes, Emily is literally (I don't use that word lightly) one of the best Age Group women in the world and Croc is about the toughest 67 year old I have ever met. I was a little concerned that even riding steady with these guys I might end up overdoing it. Still, I was reassured by  my ride on Sunday, and I was also keen to catch up with these guys, so I figured I would give it a go.

This morning was one of those funny ones on the bike, one of those morning's where you bounce between either thinking the conditions are perfect or rather unpleasant. On the perfect side the temperatures were lovely and the winds were gentle. On the slightly more unpleasant side was the little rain showers that kept rolling through during the morning, meaning the roads never quite dried out and ensuring that while you weren't soaked, you weren't quite dry either.

Still on the balance of it, between the light winds, beautiful sunrise and good company I think I would have to say the ride was more good than not.

As good as the ride was, I suspect that it may have been a bit longer than is wise at the moment. Not so much the pace, Emily and Croc were very gentle and so the pace was manageable for the most part. Rather I think I probably rode for a bit long and pushed a bit hard up some of the hills etc. I think I saw some heart rate numbers that my cardiologist would advise against at the moment. Still it was great to get outdoors and continue to learn just what I can do and what I shouldn't, plus catch up with some mates.

The more I exercise outside the more I also adjust to exercising at a lower intensity. Usually when I ride I have very fixated on numbers. Pace, power, heart rate etc. I am a data junkie, I am always riding to one data point or another. I know that isn't everybody's cup of tea, but I found it very effective. Riding to data helped me maximise the benefit of the various sessions, as well as keep the session focused on achieving just what the it was supposed to, keeping recovery easy, thresholds hard etc.

However, at the moment those numbers mean virtually nothing. About the only number I need to look at is heart rate. Speed, power etc, there is almost no point looking at those numbers. If I do watch speed and power there is a good chance I will find the numbers more depressing than helpful. Learning to not look at those numbers has been a tough adjustment, but I think I am getting there. The even tougher adjustment is not caring about those numbers and I will admit I haven't managed that one yet. I am not sure if I will ever get to the point where I can not look or care about the numbers and simply go out and enjoy riding, but perhaps one day. Perhaps.

I suspect though that the engineering part of my brain will always be a bit of a data junkie and you know what, I think I am okay with that.