John Stone Fitness

“8 Days In California”: Stage 8 recap; One day 35% off AtLarge Nutrition sale!

John Stone — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:21:58 +0000

Yesterday I rode the 8th and final stage of TrainerRoad’s “8 Days in California” challenge! Stage description: The final stage of 8DC is pretty forgiving in format with just a sprinkling of smaller climbs leading up to the 2-lap finish circuit that promises to be action-packed. There’s a single intermediate sprint and strong chance this will come down to a mass field sprint. Stage strategy: Our plan will be 2-pronged. Both scenarios will involve an... [Read more]

“8 Days In California”: Stage 7 recap, and a few words about motivation

John Stone — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:23:13 +0000

Note: This is continuing coverage of the “8 Days in California” challenge, in which I’m currently participating. My usual Sunday weekly maintenance report will return next week. Yesterday I rode the 7th stage of TrainerRoad’s “8 Days in California” challenge–the Queen stage. The Queen stage is the longest and most difficult stage of the eight stage event. Stage description: The Queen stage of 8DC is comprised of 3 climbs, the final climb being the most... [Read more]

“8 Days In California”: Stage 6 recap

John Stone — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:01:21 +0000

Yesterday I rode the 6th stage of TrainerRoad’s “8 Days in California” challenge–the tough Time Trial stage. Here’s the recap… Stage description: Time Trial! Today’s TT is short but it finishes with a tough hill climb. No KOM’s or sprints, just individual racing against the clock. Stage strategy: We’ll follow a structured team warmup and hope for a couple of high finishes due to our climber’s time trailing prowess as well as our new rider’s... [Read more]

“8 Days In California”: Stage 5 recap

John Stone — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:57 +0000

Yesterday was the 5th stage of TrainerRoad’s “8 Days in California” challenge, and my legs let me know early on that they were feeling the cumulative effects of the first 4 stages. Stage description: Stage 5 is the closest thing this tour offers in the way of an easy day. After an early, moderate climb, a flat course favors the sprinters. There are 3 intermediate sprints and only a single KOM. Stage strategy: Our goal... [Read more]

“8 Days In California”: Stage 4 recap

John Stone — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:10:56 +0000

Yesterday was the fourth stage of the “8 Days in California” challenge, and I made another solid showing. Stage description: A shorter stage with short, punchy climbs will require shorter, more intense efforts than the preceding stages. There’s plenty of downtime between these short climbs giving riders the opportunity to recover and then really attack each of the climbs. There are a total of 2 KOM’s and 2 intermediate sprints. Stage strategy: We can play... [Read more]

“8 Days In California”: Stage 3 recap

John Stone — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:03:38 +0000

Yesterday I rode the third stage in the “8 Days in California” challenge, and it was a very, very good day. Stage description: Stage 3 is a barrage of shorter climbs, and each of them has it’s own unusual twist when it comes to format & intensity. There are 4 KOM’s, each coming at the end of all 4 climbs, and there are 2 intermediate sprints within the latter half of the stage. Stage strategy:... [Read more]

“8 Days In California”: Stage 2 recap

John Stone — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:49:50 +0000

Yesterday I completed the second stage of the “8 Days in California” challenge, and it was even more difficult than the first stage. Stage description: Stage 2 of 8DC includes 2 major climbs. The first is long and mid-race with a long, but steady descent afterward while the second is short but steep and concludes the race; this is where we are likely to see a challenge for the GC. Stage strategy: Our plan is... [Read more]

“8 Days in California” has begun: overview, and Stage 1 recap

John Stone — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:25:57 +0000

Yesterday was the first stage of TrainerRoad’s “8 Days in California” challenge. As most of you know, I’m participating in this 8-stage race simulation, and so over the next week my blogs will be focused on this event as I work my way through each of the difficult stages. The opening stage was a monster workout. Before I get into that, though, I want to talk a little about the race itself, and the cool... [Read more]

2013 maintenance weekly progress report: week #18

John Stone — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:22:12 +0000

Week #18 of my 2013 maintenance program is complete, and it’s time for my weekly progress report. My scale weight this morning (as measured by the ) is 172.4 pounds. That’s a 0.6 pound gain since last week’s weight of 171.8 pounds, and a 2.0 pound loss from my initial 2013 weight of 174.4 pounds. My 7-point body fat reading this morning (as measured by the is 6.1%. That’s a +0.1% body fat change since... [Read more]

Short, but intense, 27 mile ride yesterday; Few new PRs.

John Stone — Sat, 11 May 2013 11:57:56 +0000

I really should have taken yesterday off from riding. On Wednesday I was already feeling like I was right on the edge of over-training, but I did a pretty tough Sufferfest workout anyway. Yesterday morning, everything from my legs to my energy level was saying “REST!” I was really in the mood to ride, however, so I decided that I’d compromise and do a short ~30 mile road ride. When I left the house I... [Read more]