Training Advice

There's plenty of anecdotal evidence out there regarding how to train smarter rather than harder. And building some flexibility into your schedule would be part of that.

You've got to make it count when you can, and be disciplined about recovery. But you know all the theory.

Beating yourself up about not training when you 'should' be isn't going to help anything; but again, you know all that, and you're dramatising the situation in forum prose for effect anyway.

I'm on holiday and having 5 whole days off the bike - AND I'M COMPETING ON SUNDAY!!!

Outrageous.

I try to have a recovery day after each training session/ride/race, but yes I am lacking on recovery rides/roller sessions, they just end up as another training session.

I "should" be doing something now, but I fell asleep sitting in the chair today and woke up 3 hours later, I was so exhausted. Can't face anything but rest.

I am managing only one weights session per week (with a brief spin on rollers afterwards) and one ride/track session at the moment because of work. I can't race on that, but when I do get time for more I find it difficult to get enough food down and have no time for the chores of life!

What are you doing for work at the mo?

I think you need time off I would have say 10 days off and see how you feel after that.

I took a week off at end of season then coached away for a week then I have been ill for three weeks. Sum total of 3-4 training sessions in last 5 weeks and it wont affect next year at all, so don't fret over 10 days off.

What are you doing for work at the mo?

I think you need time off I would have say 10 days off and see how you feel after that.

I took a week off at end of season then coached away for a week then I have been ill for three weeks. Sum total of 3-4 training sessions in last 5 weeks and it wont affect next year at all, so don't fret over 10 days off.

Thanks Lee,
For work I've been coaching and doing Rollapaluza, lots of rushing around on my feet and with coaching a lot of concentration, as you know it's more tiring than it looks.

Thanks Lee,
For work I've been coaching and doing Rollapaluza, lots of rushing around on my feet and with coaching a lot of concentration, as you know it's more tiring than it looks.

then it sounds like you just need a good rest period, coaching takes it out of me far more than training does

Its really interesting Reading back through this thread and seeing how peoples opinions have changed and how some people took hold of some of what lee recomended and follower it but ignored other bits.

I felt my training las winter was excellent, and was in great shape for the start if the season last year unfortunately work and life had other ideas which meant I couldn't follow through with the good start I had.

I think I will basically repeat the process again and have another go; hopefully ther factrs will allow me to get to the racing stage of the season next year and see how I enjoy it.

For now I'm focussing on loosing fat and core strength, I'm also thinking about doing a marathon in April so that may conflict with strength training for cycling.

^I wouldn't focus on losing core strength ;)

Sounds like a good plan. I've been in the same position, where winter training felt productive, and then everything went pear-shaped in the Spring due to OTHER FUCKING PEOPLE FUCKING WITH MY LIFE. You can't train relatives not to die, or local councils not to threaten your domestic security due to offers from property developers, or Cadbury not to have a salmonella outbreak in their factory, although if I found a coach that could do that, I'd give them some business.

After putting a fair few miles on the bike this last week, I have fallen prey to the dead legs syndrome.... no decent output available this morning.
Anyhow - my job involves delivering Hydrotherapy sessions for people who have undergone hip and knee replacement surgery, and this morning, after an hour with my clients, i spent a further 30 minutes in the pool simply going through some simple mobilisation exercises....
I feel amazing.
The hydrostatic pressure of the water - whilst mobilising and then lengthening major muscle groups - had a really beneficial impact on my fatigued legs, although i do really need to go to sleep now.
Try it! Its great, especially if you do have access to a Hyrdo pool, that is warmer than your usual public pool. I'd be happy to fire peoplpe some good exercises to do for general mobility....

Due to weak feeling legs in my first 2 races this year, Ive upped my everyday road gear from 74-79" Spinning isnt winning.

Just thought I'd share that with you.

48x21 for me tomorrow :)

Due to weak feeling legs in my first 2 races this year, Ive upped my everyday road gear from 74-79" Spinning isnt winning.
Just thought I'd share that with you.

That's quite interesting. Just today I moved back to a 17T from 19T because I'm theorising that lack of force is now an issue for my TTing and leg speed for me is basically irrelevant.
I wonder how this will work out.. I was running a bigger gear last year but I was riding a lot more and it was quite fatiguing at points but I wonder if it helped?
You beat me to posting about it :)

I bulked quite a bit just by running 47x14 into the windy windy straights at hernia hell last year.

Tom, maybe some overgeared work on the track might also help?

Yeah I think anything that hurts my legs is going to help. My overall fitness need to improve too, but making your legs hurt gets you fit too, right? I just feel weak compared to last summer, which is obvious as Id had months of weekly racing behind me.
Its not a nice feeling though, I WANT TO FLY...
Then again, at least Im not recovering from a broken ankle!

Do you want me to kick you in the shins?

I've been running 48/16 all winter/spring and it's certainly built strength and increased power not only in my TT'ing but also road racing.. Problem is now that after weekend of racing my legs are usually in pieces and come the commute on Monday it's a real fucking torture grind.. Thinking of changing to an 48/18 and using the commute as recovery now I'm into the season.

Sounds like a good plan if youre doing the work at the weekend which sounds like you are, im not at the mo though, so any extra strength work is a bonus.

@BMMF: I'll just hold you away at arms length as you try.

Due to weak feeling legs in my first 2 races this year, Ive upped my everyday road gear from 74-79" Spinning isnt winning.

Just thought I'd share that with you.

You weren't spinning anyway. 74" is too high for the road if you want to average high cadences.

You wouldn't even be hitting 100rpm on your commute unless you have nice long downhills or uninterrupted flats...

79" ! perfect for calshot

Ive been on 69" for most of the winter up until a month or 2 ago, so a bit more spinny.
I just feel I need more muscle power.

Surely pushing your trademark 90 inches around HH in race mode will do more to build power than riding high 70s on your commute?

yeah but yeah but yeah but. I cant get down HH every day can I?! sheesh, but I do commute, and stuff. Shit!

You want to produce more power? don't we all mate.

When you say "more muscle power" at what point are you finding the lack of power, it's PE I assume so anything else you can add to help us?

Could be you are just tired

Im just letting off steam, shit chatting. Not really looking for answers, but if there are solutions, then that is good.
I just need to do 'more' of everything. I can train round regents park after/before work, but nothing beats track training, or even more so, actual racing to get fit. In desperation I am upping my gear for my commute/RP rides to make the little time I currently have for training/riding as hard as possible.
Maybe its a good idea, maybe its not. I just dont find spinning around (even if you dont agree its 'actual' spining, it feels like it to me),is doing me much good.
In answer to your question, Rob, it feels like I have no power when it comes to trying to make a break or even sprint for the line. My legs feel weak like there is nothing there at all. I cant push. I admit though, that even if I can sprint away, I cant keep it going for more than a lap at the very most. Therefore I realise I am simply not fit yet.

shit chatting

Knowing me BringMeMyFix, knowing you TT Tom.

62.5" to my ol' fave.. 69".

Mmmm... 69...

...I cant keep it going for more than a lap at the very most..

Train your mind as well.. srsly..

I need to talk to Sting.