Cycling Fitness / Training Advice

Sounds terrifying. Will give it a go when super fresh and full of htfu. Thanks!

I don't box but do karate and a hard hours session (particularly sparring) can take it out of you. It's full on anaerobic exercise.

There's also the extra muscle damage. I stopped going to the gym during big races because my body has enough work to do repairing legs. If your arms and core are also caned then you've gotta spread the love and that takes more time. So, it becomes a question of goals - bike racing or both?

I won't be sparring, those days are over. Just padwork and heavy bag, plus core work which I have been neglecting. I just want to do it again to get a bit more overall useful strength, and plus it is fun. I feel like purely cycling the last 2 years has made my body incredibly one dimensional. I can't even walk more than a couple of miles without my calves being sore the next day...

I think I'll just have to come to terms that cycling abilities will end up taking a hit. But at least I'll be able better prepared to kidney punch effectively during my commutes.

cock punch

ftfy

If you enjoy doing stuff do it. Cycling isn't that important. It's kind cool, but there are other things out there that are better.

I wish could go hiking more and be stronger.

Depending on when you last did your FTP test, you might want to re-test and adjust your profile accordingly.
Alternatively, you could increase your workout stress by adjusting the % on each TR workout.

You seem to have a decent amount of volume in there at the moment and you dont want to be loading your system too much if you are planning to go through the base and build phase process for the winter. Just make sure you aren't just doing the same that you did last year...

If you are looking for maximal power, you need to make sure you are fully recovered between each rep, and i would start out at 10 seconds.
Empty the tank, then look at however long it takes to go again at the same intensity. Stop, as soon as your form fails.

Anyone interested in heart vate variability but doesn't have the right garmin for the recovery advisor, there's an app called Elite HRV which I'm going to be playing with, I'll report back once I've used it for a while but it looks like it advises you to take a reading every morning and use it to guage your readiness for stress/activity.

I find the HRV topic pretty interesting along with using HR to indicate fatigue etc.

I used to be in the habit of checking my HR every morning a few months ago when i was training loads, but have got out of the habit now. I occasionally toy with the idea of getting a fitbit or somethin but then CBA... rather use the money for something else

I listened to a podcast where the guys checked their resting HR every day and then based that days' training on however it correlated to normal. Surely just HTFU?

Yeh i think that sounds OTT. I'd more or less know if i was cooked and not able to train before checking my HR, but having the 'backup' of having a high resting HR gave me a good excuse!

I mean, to put it in perspective, I don't train at all. I'm not a particularly fast rider and don't really apsire to race or anything, but I just enjoy tracking the data and seeing the effect my commutes and rides have on it. I think it's been referred to as the 'quantified self' somewhere.
This thread just seems like a good place for that kinda chat.

This one is probably relevant too;

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/234507/

Ta vm!

Started taking iron and vitamin c pills; just some cheapo one a day stuff from Boots.

Very subjective but I feel better.

You should get iron and vit c from food, not pills.

Go back and start again.

Also, Boots pills = sawdust and glass swept off floors off Chinese factories.

Take vitamin D. I know I def don't get enough through the winters here and I'm sure I remember reading that it is good for sporting performance.

You know how? You've been tested? What was your level?

And what are your levels taking supplements?

Now, now - I'm sure s/he's performed a double blinded study. Otherwise s/he would be just talking bollocks.

I'll just leave this here...

http://www.sciencealert.com/vitamin-d-tablets-may-be-worse-for-you-then-nothing-at-all

Cause I live in Glasgow and we get fuck all sunlight here all year, nevermind in the winter!

Here's the article I read about vitD and sporting performance.

It is also official Scottish government advice that people who don't get outside during sunlight hours (this includes me) during the winter months should consider taking 10 micrograms per day

I would not supplement without first testing.

If you lived in Greenland but ate shit loads of oily fish should you also take Vit D? Sun exposure is only one factor in Vit D levels.

FWIW the only supplements I take is fish oil and citrulline (for shit circulation/numb feet)