Like an Lioness pouncing on an antelope

Some days you are happy to be inside. and today is one of them.

For the last 5 or 6 weeks a regular topic of conversation at any group exercise activity has been about just how good the weather is. Spectacular is a phrase that is commonly thrown around. It is true, we have had a particularly mild autumn. Temperatures have been reasonably warm, there hasn't been much rain, the winds have been light. It has been a pleasure to be out running, riding, paddling or just sitting about. We have all known that it couldn't last and that Winter would pounce on us eventually, like a lioness on an unsuspecting antelope. It had to happen, we just were sort of hoping it wouldn't.

It happened.

I shouldn't be too dramatic (but I will anyway). The weather hasn't exactly turned to apocalyptic blizzards. If I am honest I can see blue skies out my window. It is just that the weather has turned to be a bit more in line with what you would expect in May. A bit nippy, a bit windy, a bit grey and a bit rainy. That is exactly what we had yesterday and exactly what we have had for most of today, it is also exactly what is forecast for much of next weekend. Not particularly surprising, just a little disappointing.

Whilst the weather hasn't been that bad, it is isn't good enough that I would say that I would like to build a Summer home here or anything (Princess Bride quote - Google it). It certainly isn't good enough that I would be particularly tempted to ride outdoors today. Which is exactly why I have a Kickr.

No matter what the weather was today I was actually always going to be on the Kickr this morning, it is just the way we roll in my house on a Monday. But for once I was very glad that I was indoors spinning away, much more pleasant than being outside getting wet and being blown sideways. The 90 minute spin on the Kickr when surprisingly well too. For once the time simply flew by, I was through the 90 minutes in no time. In fact if I had the time this morning I think I could have quite happily sat on there for 2 hours or so. I must be getting back in the groove I think.

The riding felt good too. The average power output was a bit above 240W, which is getting back towards what I would have done for this sort of ride pre-surgery. Last year the output for a 90 minute spin on the Kickr would have somewhere between 250W to 270W, but that would have been from a session that include some interval work, so to be holding a bit above 240W at steady intensities is doing okay for me. Certainly nice to be feeling like I am doing some work while also staying under control. Also very nice to be warm and dry when it was gusting and raining outside.

With that spin tucked away I am all done for exercise today. Time to head home and be snug and warm at home.

Tomorrow I won't be quite so indoors, with the plan being to head out for a paddle on the Standup Paddle board. Hopefully the weather is a wee bit friendlier.