A couple months into this bike riding thing, your body is feeling pretty good. You even have a little routine going. There you are, Wednesday night, suiting up to ride. BODY Hey, it's about that time right? 25 miles today! Or do we go up to 30? BRAIN Let's ride that one hill instead. BODY No problem! Did that before, we're ready. BRAIN Let's ride The Hill twice this time. BODY Wait, what? After your first time up The Hill, the conversation continues. BRAIN Okay, turn it around, let's do it again. BODY You know, that's not really necessary. We could do 30 miles. We could even go longer! C'mon, we've got a good thing going! BRAIN Down! Let's do it again! BODY Aw, but it was hard! And, you know, we're a little tired. And, yeah, it's kind of steep so maybe we shouldn't. And... Your body is full of excuses. You "only" rode 20 miles today, but you rode The Hill twice. BRAIN How was that? BODY Uncomfortable! The second time up The Hill we were already tired. There wasn't enough rest. There wasn't enough momentum. There was just that big ugly Hill and we didn't like it! BRAIN But could we have done three? BODY No way! (But just in case, I'm going to change some things. Won't get me again.) After 2 days of typical rides -- even that 30-miler your body asked for -- things are getting back to normal. Your body has just about forgotten you rode The Hill twice. BODY Alright, alright, let's do it! Wednesday night bike ride, 2nd day on 30 miles. We're so ready for this! BRAIN Let's ride The Hill again. BODY Duh, it's part of the route. Right after that fast right turn and the little downhill, then... BRAIN Let's repeat The Hill again. (I just learned that word "repeat", it's pretty sweet.) BODY Noooo! Fine, fine, if you insist, we're ready, but remember that I don't want to. At this point, you get a little nervous, sweaty, and anxious thinking about the second time up The Hill. You can do it, but you're not excited about it. BRAIN Three repeats today. BODY . . . You ride The Hill 3 times *and* go 30 total miles. BRAIN How was that? BODY Why you little... Never again. Never again, never again, never again! We're going to build up so much and you won't trick us again. We see it now, on Wednesdays we ride The Hill. We don't know how many, but we'll be ready!!!! From this point on, you're hungry. All the time. And you're actually getting stronger. Your body is increasing muscle fiber size and muscle fiber density. It's slowing your heart down but demanding more powerful squeezes. Your lungs are more open all the time, even while resting, so you take fewer, longer, deeper breaths. This is physiological adaptation. Your body is changing because of the added intensity. The jig is up -- on Wednesdays, you ride The Hill. But your brain is clever and wicked. Eventually it adds a few sprint repeats on the flat. It adds a long interval when you see another cyclist ahead on the bike path. Your brain has embraced training and your body has taken up the call. Eventually one of those cyclists you chase on the path is a little too fast for you to pass. But they notice your effort and they've seen you out riding every other day, so they invite you to something new: The Group Ride. Congratulations, you're about to earn your upgrade. The intermediate phase is coming. Thought you were fit after all this training? You have no idea.
