Skip to main content

Chase and Race Bike Trainer Workout

Work it Out Wednesday
Ok, so I didn't do this particular work out today, but I thought I'd share today just the same. I actually opted for a yoga workout during lunch today for an active recovery day. Plus, the yoga helped to quieten my mind so a win-win for me.

On Sunday, Jason and I ran 3.5 miles together. While he went on for another 4 miles, I went inside and hopped on my bike trainer. I didn't want anything really hard like the previous Quad Killer workout though.

I decided to do a Chase and Race sequence to help me practice with my turnover pedaling. Just because it wasn't all about hills didn't make it any easier mind you. You do still need a certain amount of tension on your bike so that you're not just free spinning.

For the Chase part (first half), I used slight inclines (tension increases) to add a level of difficulty so that you know you're working but you can still keep a pretty swift turnover, then you you plane out, ease off the tension and pedal as fast as your legs can manage (without bouncing wildly in your saddle of course). Imagine playing a game of chase and trying to catch up with a buddy - a little bit of back and forth.

For the Race part, the tension is much lighter, but you must have some resistance, don't take the easy road here. You're working. But the point of the race part is to keep your turnover fast and then even faster again with no real recover periods like with the chase section.

Make sense? If not, it's still fun - or I thought it was. Again, turn the music up and rock out!

A few things to keep in mind:
  • You always want some tension on your wheel - never free spinning.
  • If you find yourself bouncing in the saddle, you're tension is probably too light.
  • For spin bikes, turn your knobs to achieve the tension you need - this might be a half turn or even a full turn. 
  • For bike trainers, use your own judgement with your gears (this was good practice for me learning gears). 
  • Everyone has their own level to work from, but make sure you're not taking the easy way, it's short, so work hard ;-)
  • Find some upbeat music and crank it up.
  • Most importantly, have fun!

30 Minute Chase and Race Bike Trainer Workout

Be sure to step off your bike slowly after you stop, and please take time to stretch out your legs. I promise you they'll thank you in the end.

Way to Go Wednesday
And, on to another edition of Way to Go Wednesday. Hope you don't mind, and please leave shout outs in the comments. Love to hear them!

Mrs Stuftmama knocked out a PR marathon time despite tummy troubles. She seriously rocks!

Tina is now a Nature Made Ambassador!

Laura at Mommy Run Fast has signed up for the RRCA Coaching Certification.

And I have to give Brian (Pavement Runner) another much-deserved shout out for putting together the We Heart You post for Krysten.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

I Run to Feel Alive

Today is National Running Day . Guess what I did this morning? Cycling? Nope. Lifting? Nope. I bet you thought kickboxing right? Nope. Running? But of course! I actually sort of planned my running days this week just so I could participate this year. I didn't get to run last year and didn't even know about it the year before. But running has become such an integral part of my life and who I am, that I couldn't miss this year. Basically, I run to feel alive . It calms me, it helps me work through life, it's often a reason to get out of bed. No matter how tough a run is, it makes you feel ... period. My plan was to get in 5 miles (got in 5.5 actually). It was about 10 degrees warmer this morning and definitely more humid. That always makes for a tougher run. We decided to take a different route today. Well, it was really only a few streets over different, but still. The point is we took a different street. Sometimes that's good, sometimes not. I did realize th...

Love in Photos

In honor of Valentine's Day - Love in Photos Husband Family and Furbabies Friends Even if you're not a fan of Valentine's Day - I hope you have a wonderful day and remember the loves in your life.

Taco Thursday

Rest for the Weary  Today I have some DOMS going on from yesterday's biceps/triceps/shoulder workout. I only briefly thought about getting up for an early run, but our lows were going to be 79/80 degrees, and the humidity is extreme - makes the heat so much worse. So I didn't even bother with a run or pretending to think about a run. I had really wanted to do back and chest today, but my arms are too sore and the workout would have suffered as a result. Believe it or not, I do know my limits. So today was a rest day. I really wish that I could have mustered the energy for a cardio only day though because this means I'll have to force my rear out of bed tomorrow morning in order to get the workout done. The dogs are getting groomed (very much overdue) in the morning so Jason will take them in, but I will have to pick them up after work. Sometimes I think morning workouts are worse when I know they are a must. Hmmm, need to refocus how I think about them. Tomorrow I wil...