training tip
There are 23 entries for the tag
training tip
The workout plan you gave me as I recovered from my broken collarbone was great. During my first group ride, I was able to immediately keep up with the group and actually feel like I came back a little stronger. Your advice around training has been so beneficial I decided to write again for some advice about weight loss. During my recovery time from the collarbone break, I put on a few extra pounds that I would like to get rid of. Read more...
V-CLUB TRAINING CORNER
We’ve teamed up with Marilyn Trout, certified USA Cycling Elite Coach to answer V-Club members’ training questions. You can view her coach profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mountainpedalscoaching80903
Send your cycling inquiries to Marilyn, and for a limited time, if yours is selected to be answered in our V-Club column, VeloWear will send you a $20 gift certificate that can be used towards... Read Marilyn's Training Tip: Fuel for Thought...
I have a question regarding my neck. During a ride, I try to be cognizant of stretching my neck by moving my head from side to sideand shrugging my shoulders but I tend to forget as I'm spinning along. After my long ride from the weekend, my neck tends to stiffen up during the week and there is even a little clicking at times. Read more...
Something to "put ourselves in a better frame of mind" to bridge the gap, push hard over the crest, hang on a wheel and so many other painful situations that may crack us. I use "may" and not "will" because there is a choice involved which is both personal and intentional. Read the rest of Marilyn's great tip ...
During a conversation a while back with a World medalist and former racing mate of mine, I asked her a loaded question. “If you could do it all over again, what would you have done differently?” Without hesitation, the answer came… “intervals.” Read more...
Remember the secret of “secret training”? It’s your “training fingerprint” that is uniquely you. It’s representing all dimensions and depth of the athlete’s life. It’s seeing the relationship of aspects of an athlete to each other and to the whole. It’s having perspective. Read the rest of Marilyn's tip...
Before jumping in, I would like to mention a few things, firstly, the need for a coach. There is one basic question to ask, will a coach make a difference in my performance? Read the rest of Marilyn's tip ...
“Why do things just fall apart when race day comes?” This is the big question that all athletes ask themselves all too often. My thought patterns may appear to oversimplify things at times, but it seems to gain an attainable perspective when things get a little overwhelming, complicated and downright out of control. Hmmm…sounds a lot like race day so I guess this approach is worth a try. Read the rest of Marilyn's Tip ...
"Hot or Cold? Heat or Ice? Near the latter stages of a long ride I often hear riders say I'm going to the hot tub tonight because I need it after today's exertion. I also see it at the gym when after vigorous workouts or classes people hit the hot tub, steam, or sauna right away. Yet I see professional athletics wrapped in ice bags after their games. So which is the best way to go after a century ride or an extreme workout?" Read Marilyn's Response ...
"I've done a lot of riding, but I'm kind of old-school, and now everyone is talking watts. Can you please quantify what three watts means? Isn't this relative to distance? What about the length of the climb? How does this factor in?" Read Marilyn's Response
There is something every competitive cyclist has to battle through at some point. It's the big "C" word... crashing. However, there is a bigger "C" word, CONFIDENCE. The question now is, how can we get confidence back and ride without "our knees knocking." Here's a few things to focus on: Read More ...
"In the last couple of months I've had two injuries that I believe resulted because of "tight" muscles/ligaments/tendons. If you can specify some details on Calf-strain (my left calf) and Iliotibial Band Syndrome (my right thigh), that would be great!" Read Marilyn's response ...
Attacking, bridging gaps, counterattacking, how hard to go and when, who to chase, who to let go... split second decisions and a lot of information has to be filtered in the art of reading a race. Once the reading is done, there are choices to be made. One choice involves risk but both involve pain and only one choice gives an opportunity to cross the line first. Read More ...
"Lately I have become somewhat addicted to Spinning Classes. Attending three to four times a week with various instructors for variety. There are the usual hill climbs, in and out of the saddle, jumps up and down from the saddle (one instructor favors 100 jumps), sprints on the flats (low resistance) I know as a roadie there is no substitute for the road but what are the advantages and disadvantages of Spin Classes as training for the road? ..." Read More ...
It is truly a fantastic sight to see Erik Zabel, Baden Cooke or Robbie McEwen charge for the finish line. They are "fast" personified.
Some of us dream about sprinting like some of the greats in a final mass sprint, while others work hard to break up the field to avoid the finish line frenzy. Whatever the case, if you're a bike racer, it's inevitable...you are going to have to sprint!
Here are a few things to help you optimize your sprint workout: Read More ...
I have a custom Seven bicycle that is about 6 years old. Generally speaking, I love the bike and I think it fits me well. However, I am not comfortable in the hoods or drops. It seems that I have a more difficult time getting enough air, especially when I'm in the drops, which makes my efforts seem more difficult than they need to be. I have a feeling I will need different bars, as my coach and I have spoken about this possibility although I am ever so comfortable... Read More...
(by Shelley Marenka, USA Cycling Coach and Fitness Expert)
Here are some tips to help your next century ride go smoother. Happy pedaling! Ride On, Ride strong, Ride Safe!
(1) One to Two Weeks Before - Drop your bike off at your local bike shop for them to give it a quick run thru… Don’t wait till the last minute… they get really busy; especially if the ride is in your town.
(2) 12 Hours Before - Lay out all your gear—Sunscreen, shorts, jersey, gloves, socks, shoes, helmet.. Read More...
"I’m looking forward to another season of racing. Any suggestions of how to deal with race jitters before I get to the start line?" Read Marilyn's response ...
Whether you consider yourself a climber or a non-climber, there is one thing for sure…with every climb there is pain. I tell my athletes, “change what you can change and the things you can’t change, leave alone.” Although you can’t change the course profile or your anatomical disposition, you can improve your climbing through mental, technical, and tactical preparation. (I’m assuming that you are including climbing work in your training program.) Read more ...
Sprints, or speedwork, and intervals are two very different animals. Speedwork has maximal efforts, maximal recovery time and every advantage is used to go fast, aided with the wind or slight downhill. Intervals can be with the wind, against the wind, uphill...on a course that mimics an upcoming race or event. They too have a specific time, in this case submaximal work but, unlike speedwork, the rest is a specific time regardless of how well the athlete has recovered. Read More ...
Don’t believe it. Just because the media has medal tallies up to the ying yang, it isn’t what motivates the athletes to reach beyond their grasp sending them to utter exhaustion. Remember the German speedskater who fell down in the final metres with arms and legs sprawled across the finish line or Canadian figure skater, Joannie Rochette, who persevered through unimaginable grief to nail her program. Don’t be fooled, it’s not for the glory of the media or... Read More...
Marilyn, I’m looking forward to another season of racing. Any suggestions of how to deal with race jitters before I get to the start line? Read Marilyn's Response ...
Endurance or aerobic fitness is a big part of winter training and when early spring comes, ride distances increase until they are as long as the longest race or event. There is no physiological reason for any master athlete who has been riding for at least 5 years* and whose longest race is 40 km/25 miles (about 1:0) to be out for 40-50 miles (3-4 hours). More times than not, the limiter is not endurance but rather muscular endurance and anaerobic fitness. Read More ...