The first phase of my training for the fast approaching racing season is now complete. I’m pretty stoked about getting through this three weeks of training since I’m way ahead of schedule… Yes, ahead of schedule. For me… For most of you, you’re likely sweating it out for two and three hours on the trainer or if you’re lucky, you’re able to get outside and ride for hours on end. So far my longest ride has been 90 minutes.

But this is 90 minutes longer than I had originally anticipated back in January. In January, I thought I wouldn’t be able to start training again until March. Well, here it is March 1 and I’ve already got three weeks of structured training in my body. Lets not forget the three weeks of riding I was able to get in during the last part of my trip to Belgium. Yes, so definitely ahead of schedule.

The big question is: how do I feel? Well, I have had days when I’ve felt pretty wiped out and other days when I’ve just wanted to ride or run for twice as long as the schedule prescribed. I think some of my fatigue can be attributed to finally being done with the steroids and my body adjusting to my new medicine. The bursts of energy – I don’t know where they are coming from but I’ll take them!

I’m looking forward to my next block of training. I’m not sure what it will hold – I’m talking to coach Steve this afternoon. I’ve got a couple of easy days and then on Thursday it is time to get going again. I’m crossing my fingers that the snow starts to leave us – I really don’t want to spend any long days on the trainer. I might just have to bundle myself up and try and get outside for some riding…

I’ve been looking at race schedules and trying to figure out what races I’m going to do. At this point, I really don’t know. I think I’ll probably take the racing as it comes – how I’m feeling and what fits into the training schedule. Road racing and getting results on the road are not the goal for me this summer – I’m still focused on cyclo-cross. Racing on the road really is for development as well as to keep the competitive fires burning during the spring and summer. Also, I really do enjoy road racing – but I don’t want it to be my focus. I’m thinking of sticking to some local racing with a few criteriums and road races in Quebec added in when they fit the schedule.

I’m really looking forward to getting out for lots of long rides again. I loved doing these last summer – nothing like four and five hours out on the bike. A true feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment at the end.

Well, that’s about all I have for today. I’m happy it is March and that I’m ahead of schedule. Really so far 2011 is looking to be one of the best yet. As they say “everything happens for a reason”.