Quote:
Originally Posted by flatbutt
I get that but I must monitor my heart so I don't ... you know...die. My Dr says that I need to get anaerobic but dang that's gonna kill me. I get my heart rate up to 140 on some climbs but rarely on the flats. Maybe I'm over thinking this stuff.
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No need to go like hell. Take your time and spin. Spin. That means count your revs on the pedal stroke. Its not easy but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. The most difficult part is to keep it spinning at the same rpm for the duration of the ride. Start with an easy gear, very easy gear. In the beginning, it will feel like you aren't going anywhere with little to no resistance and that's just about right. Do that for 10-15 min, slow down and get up into the next higher gear to rest and ride home. Rinse and repeat next day. Your rev should be at 70-75 to begin with. Gradually working up to 90 in a about three weeks, increase distance or time to about 30 min. No need to bang on those pedals sprinting away. Benefit to cycling is to keep a steady pace, steady rev, and steady distance. Long steady distance AKA, LSD. No need to ride big gears to build up lactic acid, burn out only to slow down to catch one's breath then ride's over and craw home with no real benefit. You must force yourself to remember to keep the pedaling rpm up and keep it up with no resistance and DO NOT STOP pedaling. You will be nearly out of breath but at the same time, not hurting because no lactic acid build up.
If you like me to help with selection of gearing for you, show us a pic of your bike, or tell me how many tooth the front chain rings has.