Consistent Training

CONSISTENT TRAINING leads to success. Lance Armstrong proves that. By winning the Tour de France—the most grueling bicycle race in the world—six times in a row from 1999 to 2004, he’s established himself as one of the fittest athletes in the world.

But being in great physical shape didn’t happen by accident. Lance trains hard to be able to push himself up the mountains in France. He sometimes works out seven days in a row. Check out these stats from Lance’s Web site:

TUESDAY: Four hours of high cadence on all hills, 95 to 100 revolutions per minute (rpm), stay in saddle on hills, low cadence on flat terrain—60–65 rpm. Heart rate 135 to 140 on flat terrain.

WEDNESDAY: Weight workout in morning. Afternoon, two hours of cadence high, 95-plus rpm, stay seated on hills but include two to three uphill sprints of eight seconds each with maximum effort.

THURSDAY: Same as Tuesday.

FRIDAY: Same as Wednesday.

SATURDAY: Three-hour group ride with no heart rate ceiling or cadence; ride as hard as you like!

SUNDAY: Four hours with six four-minute muscle tension intervals at 50 to 55 rpm. Max effort for each interval. Six minutes recovery between.

MONDAY: Same as Friday and Wednesday.

TUESDAY: Day off.

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POINT Wow! No wonder Lance Armstrong’s legs look like they were chiseled out of granite. His work ethic is second to none, making him the best cyclist in the world. By consistently training, Lance stays in top shape.

Sometimes in life we aren’t consistent with our Christian faith. We follow God in spurts. We read through the Bible. We attend church camp. We take a mission trip or help with Vacation Bible School. Then we take a break. God never wants us to take a break from our Christian life. The heavenly Father desires that we walk consistently with him.

GOAL! Read about King Jotham in 2 Chronicles 27:1-9. Why did he grow powerful? Thank the Lord for the power he gives when we walk consistently with him.