Workout:  Recovery Ride
Type: Bike
Planned Duration: 0:45
Description: Reintroduce yourself to your road bike or thank your tri bike for a wonderful season. Exceedingly easy effort throughout.

Before I started working with Coach Kelsey, the day after a race was a workout free, rest day. Now I do a recovery ride. Recovery ride = “stay in the small chain ring, spin and just get the lactic acid out of the legs”.

I was reluctant to give up my day of rest, but I’ve found that these rides do indeed improve my post-race recovery. (My coach is wicked smaht.)

I hopped on my bike for a computer free, easy spin, the day after my last race. The workout note, “thank your tri bike for a wonderful season” was my thought loop as I set out. I chose a pretty route for the morning. It had more left turns and stops than my training routes, but pretty was the goal – not fast.

I was thankful for my bike.  I do love it. I’m so comfortable on it now – especially compared to the beginning of the season when I first tried the aeroposition. (I was truly petrified)

The previous day’s race replayed in my brain. It’s amazing to think that I can complete a triathlon and be out here this morning with so much ease and comfort.  The progress I’ve made in the past 2 years feels awesome. I’m happy.  I thoroughly enjoy the new people I’ve met and get to hang out with on race days.

I am so amazed and happy that I’d been so healthy throughout the season. I had a few niggles here and there, but nothing that didn’t heal with an extra day of rest and a foam roller. No sprained ankles or shoulder issues – just awesome.

I pedaled for 45 minutes (give or take a few). Spinning easy and smiling and looking for things to be thankful for. I spend so much time focused on what I can improve – for some future race. It felt like I great stretch for an over-used muscle.

The recovery ride is going to be a fixture in my training from now on. I’ve renamed it the gratitude cycle.

Workout:  Gratitude Cycle
Type: Bike
Planned Duration: 0:45
Description: Stay in the small chain ring, spin and just get the lactic acid out of the legs. Reflect on all that you have to be grateful for. Exceedingly easy effort throughout.

“If we don’t feel grateful with what we already have, what makes us think we will be happy with more?”