Riding Palos last week was a wake up call as welcomed as having an arm slowly gnawed off by piranhas. My handling skills are still great- much better than 2 yrs ago- and my legs are still strong. But my heart and lungs are working for 1 1/3 and they're having none of it. Climbing hills, I'd get winded and need a break. My HR spikes so easily.
Now, the cardinal rules of preggo workouts are 1) keep the heart rate under 150, 2) keep the body temp low (no red face), and 3) drink more fluids than you think you need. Anyone who's seen me at a race knows that normally I'm a complete failure at #1 and #2. In fact, in any given photo my face will be cherry red and it's not unusual for strangers to ask if I'm ok, based entirely on just seeing my ruby face. Looking at race HR files from last year (thanks, gizmo!) I tend to race somewhere around 172 avg, with drops to 150's on downhills. Hello, reality. Thanks for the call.
As much as I want to race, and as much as I believe I can, I feel like it's just not "safe." I can ride my bike, and run, and even run "races," but I just know that once a bike race starts, I won't be able to hold back. I guess there are more important things. I've already pulled myself off all officiating for the year-- I've had my fill of that side of things for a while. Perhaps I'll just start volunteering at races instead, and then riding on my own.
Ridden and Reviewed Kona Libre CR
8 months ago
3 replies:
It makes sense that you are disappointed, so let's just plan a summer that is as full of fun rides as it is of races! I'm totally in for that...
Big fan of your blog (can't remember how I found it but I am like your east coast counterpart!) Anyway, not pregnant yet (congrats to you!) but have done a bunch of research - the heart rate thing has been updated:
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp119.cfm
And a little history:
http://www.examiner.com/x-29454-Pregnancy-Health-Examiner~y2010m1d15-Prenatal-Fitness-101--Debunking-the-140-heartrate-myth
Knowing my complete lack of conversational ability while racing, I would agree that it's probably out, but it may not be as extreme as all that :)
Have a good one!
-Karin T in MA
I also decided not to race as I knew I couldn't keep my heart rate down. I still prerode one or two WORS races and toodled around at the Metro 12-hour. So, I totally understand your decision. I'm more than happy to do easy rides with you so give me a shout out when you'll be riding at Palos or in the area. = )
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