Concern

Over the past couple of months I have been a little uncomfortable while riding. I had promised to cut down my mileage this year by 25% but to increase the intensity. So I decided to really try some things and rides in January and February that I had not tried in the past.

All this winter I was out nearly every sunny day. Riding about 12-16 miles each weekday and longer rides on Saturday and/or Sunday. Unfortunately I have actually tripled my mileage over the same period a year ago.

Aside from not being faithful to my desire for less miles there was one more concern. It seems that every time I have been out on the bike this year, I have suffered from some discomfort during the first 15 or 20 minutes of each ride. There was even one ride just three weeks ago where I turned around shortly after beginning the ride.

The discomfort became more of a concern when it seemed to happen on every ride. I thought it was just cold related, as I had many more rides in 40-50° weather. So off to our family doctor, and EKG later and I had an appointment with the cardiologist.

The cardiologist appointment was later in the week, another EKG and a short discussion with the doctor and another appointment was made for this week for an echocardiogram and nuclear stress test. Everything seems to be fine up to this point and I continue to ride, even though there is still some discomfort while riding.

In the mean time the training is going well with a 70 mile ride and a 63 miler already under my belt for the season. Base mileage is good and starting to add some speed work to the training regimen. Hoping to make the Assault on Mt Mitchell a little easier this year, we will see.