Challenge Accepted!

This week was supposed to be „Build Volume + Hills“ according to my training calendar. But let’s be real: it turned into something more like „Rest and Dodge the Cold“.

The week started off innocently enough: Monday commute to work. But I already felt kind of off. Not sick, just that „is this a cold coming?“ limbo. So I skipped my Tuesday strength session, then skipped commutes on Wednesday and Thursday, and sigh even the Thursday swim.

I did rally a bit for a Friday commute, which I filed under „optimistic recovery effort.“ But the real test came on Saturday:

Zone 4 Drama

Following the training plan, I set out for a slow, long-distance run. My chest heart rate monitor told me I was solidly in Zone 4. That couldn’t be right. I was jogging like I was in a running commercial for sensible trail shoes.

So I stopped mid-run, switched to the wrist-based HR sensor.

Still Zone 4.

Now I was concerned. Either both sensors were lying, or I was running with the cardiovascular intensity of someone doing hill sprints while juggling.

Was it real? Was it flawed? Possibly both. But I was absolutely wiped out in the afternoon, so I decided to listen to the body, not the graph.

Slush, Sunshine & Motzimilian Vibes

On Sunday, instead of doing a long ride, I switched it up: XC-skiing with the family in Engadin. Conditions were… slushy. Kids were… less than thrilled. Let’s just say the „Motzimilian“ energy was strong at the start line. But in the end, we got sunshine, excercise, and a beautiful road trip over the mountain passes (which I secretly love more than I probably should). And, yet another HR strap gave me some decent readings, despite the slushy conditions. Finally, I got data that agreed with me: it was a walk in the park, both literally and cardiologically.

Crunching the Numbers, Maybe?

I keep updating the plan, adjusting for life and sniffles. Python now generates the PDFs, and I’m seriously considering building a full pipeline: training plan > AI refinement > TSS/CTL/ATL estimation > personalized self-doubt overlay.

Let’s see if I can actually handle the next „Peak Week.“ According to the metrics, it’s time to get serious.

But one thing’s for sure: my sensors aren’t the only thing that needs calibration.