10 Things that happen with long training weeks.

Sorry guys, I have been training lots, and working on doing my transfer to PhD from Masters so haven't had a whole lot of spare time. In light of the increased training I thought I would create more of a fun post with items I know most of us would encounter in our training. Some are more bike specific but most apply to all endurance sports!

1. Saddle sores. - You spend a good portion of time at beginning of the ride trying to find a comfortable position on the saddle for that day. Chammy cream helps.
2. What to eat during the ride.  - You start to get sick of having to chew on clif bars mid ride and start to wonder if there are any other cheap options. (Fig bars are my new go-to)
3. Earlier bed times. -Before, you could get away with staying up a bit later, but now you are excited to get to bed by 10pm on Friday because of the 6hours you have planned to ride the next day.
4. How much water? - You have to decide how much to bring on those long rides. Also if it is worth it to do a scenic big loop and buy refills or do a small loop and refill at home.
5. Sweeter tan lines. -More time in the sun means a darker tan. Plus with all the sweating, I doubt the sunscreen will hold for the entire 6hour ride.
6. Clear the kitchen! - You are hungry every day at all hours, everything will be eaten. For some reason you are more hungry on recovery days and you hardly even rode.
7. Netflix and chill. - Your legs really are too tired to do much else. You tell your friends you would be more exciting to them if they had a bike to enjoy the fun hours of the day with you.
8. Have I been here before? - Longer rides might mean new riding locations that can bring back the exciting feeling of not knowing exactly where you are. Or you might be riding the same roads several times trying not to get bored.
9. My jersey is weighing me down. - Not wanting to stop a few times per ride to get food and water, you pack those back pockets with an extra bottle and lots of food. On recovery days you feel like you are missing half of yourself with all the weight gone.
10. Watch the weather. - Sure you are dedicated and will do whatever it takes, but it is that much nicer to move the recovery day to the rainy day and enjoy sunshine when you are stuck out there for 4+hours.