Old man query...

[Sadoldsamurai]

How do you set a reasonable target for a training lap....?
My local lap is about 7.5 k with about 211m climbing
As a fairly fit 64 year old on a whole raft of BP meds which slow down my max heart rate how do I set realistic targets?

[Jigger]

Joe Friel is an author who knows a ton of stuff like this. He is about 68 yrs old and still races! He has written several books on training - which I highly recommend. I am not a racer, but the concepts apply to everyone looking for a better bike experience. His books will help you come up with a training plan based on heart rate ranges, as well as the comcept of hard vs easy workouts and when to do them. Let me know if I can help - us old guys gotta stick together! Tip: Google is your friend! "Joe Friel"

[Jigger]

Been thinking about this a lot. You sound like you are going to pin it on every ride?! Not a good strategy for anyone, especially someone on beta/calcium channel blockers. What you need is some LSD!! No, not that kind.....Long Slow Distance. Build a base of muscular strength and cardio strength. Think time rather than miles or speed. As you progress you may be able to lose weight, get fitter, and jettison some/all of those drugs. This will take a lot of time - slow and steady wins the race here. Life is nothing more than one long endurace race. You need to sprint on occasion, but the steady state exerciser will win the longevity battle. Good luck!

[Sadoldsamurai]

Been thinking about this a lot. You sound like you are going to pin it on every ride?! Not a good strategy for anyone, especially someone on beta/calcium channel blockers. What you need is some LSD!! No, not that kind.....Long Slow Distance. Build a base of muscular strength and cardio strength. Think time rather than miles or speed. As you progress you may be able to lose weight, get fitter, and jettison some/all of those drugs. This will take a lot of time - slow and steady wins the race here. Life is nothing more than one long endurace race. You need to sprint on occasion, but the steady state exerciser will win the longevity battle. Good luck!

Hi,
been thinking too, current belief is summed up as follows
"when you arrive at the end/grave..
life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body..
but to skid in sideways ..
feeling Christ that was one hell of a ride...."

[mark cox]

I can only think of a couple of better ways to die than dropping over at the end of a screaming good mountain bike ride.