October 2025 Training Update: A Quiet Month on the Bike

October wasn’t the month I had hoped for. After a strong push through much of Base Phase 2, I found myself unexpectedly sidelined for large parts of the month due to illness. It’s never easy watching fitness fade while the body works through recovery, but this month was a reminder of just how non-linear training progress can be—especially with long-term goals in mind.

The Numbers (Oct 1–30)

• Total Duration: 6 hours 42 minutes
• Distance Covered: 85.5 km
• Training Stress Score (TSS): 170
• Average HRV: 54.2
• Average Resting Heart Rate: 57.5 bpm
• Average Weight: 74.3 kg

Compared to my usual 8–9 hours per week of training, this month was a clear deviation from the plan. Most of the training came in short bursts between bouts of fatigue, and it wasn’t until the final week of October that I began to feel like myself again.

What Training Looked Like

• Week 1 (Oct 1–5): Managed one solid Threshold session on MyWhoosh before the fatigue set in.
• Weeks 2–3: Mostly hiking and walking to stay moving without pushing the body too hard. No structured riding.
• Week 4 (Oct 27–30): Finally back on the trainer with a steady Zone 2 ride and a Sweet Spot session—both felt harder than they should, but it felt good to be back.

The Bigger Picture

I’m currently transitioning from the Base 2 phase into Build 1, where intensity starts ramping up. October was meant to be a final solid block of Sweet Spot and Threshold work before entering that next level—but the setback has forced a bit of recalibration.

What helps me keep perspective is remembering this year is all about building the foundation. 2025 is my base year, not my peak. The FTP and durability gains will come with consistency over time, not with any single month.

Looking Ahead to November

November is structured around a more balanced week: Sweet Spot, Zone 2 volume, and two strength sessions weekly. There’s a heavy emphasis on gym work this month, something I’ve wanted to prioritize for resilience and long-term performance. But between travel and lingering cold symptoms, it’s already off to a choppy start.

Still, I’m optimistic. Getting back to routine—even partially—feels like momentum. My goal is to build week by week, re-establish consistency, and not rush back too hard. Every ride logged and session completed is a step closer to where I want to be.