Although she’s better known for her eRacing performances on Zwift, Canyon eSports’ Mary Wilkinson is also a formidable rider on the road.
And while the UK outdoor road season is coming towards a close, there’s still plenty for Mary to train and race for in the coming weeks.
We spoke to Mary to find out all about her week in numbers.
“It was a busy week building in preparation for the upcoming Zwift season and the National Hill Climb Championships in October – a really key period to get in some good aerobic volume and to touch on intensity.
“I started off with a hill climb race on the Monday evening before a functional threshold session two days later. I did an aerobic capacity session as well as two four-hour hilly endurance rides, an active recovery ride and I even managed time for a rest day.
“All in all, I spent just over 16 hours on the bike covering 266 miles. I live in the Yorkshire Dales – I’m so lucky to be surrounded by such beautiful places to ride, but it does mean a lot of hills! I ascended almost 7000 metres during the week and part of my training took me up the Great Dun Fell near Kirkby Stephen – the highest paved road in the UK.
“Every ride I go on feels like an opportunity to explore and enjoy the amazing world in which I live and I love the chance to go and ride somewhere new. Being able to train in such beautiful surroundings is definitely a huge motivational factor.
“I’d be lying if I said I always fully appreciated it during my big effort rides, but I definitely soak it all in during the recovery sessions!
“Training indoors for Zwift racing brings different challenges and I can understand why some riders might find it tough not being out on the open road.
“For me, my motivation indoors is just to be the best athlete I can be and to make sure I am as strong as possible to support my teammates. That’s what drives me to push myself as hard as I can.
Photo credit: Anthony Wood
“I feel very lucky that technology allows us to feel incredibly immersed in a video game, such as Zwift. Tech plays a big part in my training now and the InfoCrank power meter has been a total game-changer. I can now work towards the goals set by my coach and have complete confidence in the data I’m seeing.
“During the week, I reached a maximum power of 720 watts (12/6w/kg) and my average power during the hill climb in Ulverston in the Lake District was 362 watts (6.3w/kg).
“I know I have to commit to hitting the targets my coach sets and to dig deep to hold a wheel in a Zwift race, or I’ll be disappointed with myself.
“All I can do is give my best and as long as I do that, I’m happy.”
Fast Facts:
Total km ridden: 428km
Total time on bike: 16.07 hours
Meters ascended: 6969m
Max power: 720 watts
