Training Tips
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 ...
Marilyn, Are you suggesting for masters athletes that the period after the 12 week aerobic base that more intensity be added in or that the intensity be sprinkled into the 12 week build up or during all of the off season? I'm having trouble understanding when you are saying aerobic base is less important - i.e. only for those with less than 5 years of training? 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 ...
I'm seeing a ton of articles and advertisements about compression pants and tops.I was wondering how effective are they? The science behind the theory seems pretty solid but does it really work? Seems Lance uses compression clothing after races...is what's good enough for Lance good enough for everybody? Any cons to using compression clothing? WHEN IS VELOWEAR.COM GOING TO HAVE A COMPRESSION OUTFIT!?!?!?! Thank you for your response in advance!!! Read Peg's Response...
Did you know that when you climb a 6-8% hill for every additional pound you carry, it will cost you three watts? Hmmmm…has your mind drifted towards buying your way out of lugging any extra weight up the climbs this season like purchasing the titanium bike or lighter wheels or how about taking off that extra waterbottle cage? Read all of Marilyn's tip...
Got a question for you. I have been riding a 62cm Bianchi that has been modified to fit my 6'5" frame for 11 years. I was never truly fitted correctly. Back in November I went to a bike shop (Bicycle Garage in Bloomington, IN) to be properly fitted. He put me through all the paces and has found a bike that he believes will be the one for me - a 64cm Trek 2.3. I am anticipating delivery sometime in January. My question though is one of concern: how do I "retrain" my legs, knees, etc for th
From what I can see my power has increased from my sprints on up, however, my power gains don’t seem to manifest themselves in my criterium racing and have trouble staying with the pack. Any thoughts?
Three little words. It seems so simple so straightforward. It rolls easier off our tongue than entering our ears doesn’t it? We’ve got too much on our plate and at this point, it doesn’t matter whether we have overloaded it or someone else has, it’s there and the plate has gone from being full and tasting good to a sick-to-the-stomach overwhelming kind of feeling.
“OK…we’re stressed, get to the point and tell us how we keep the training going!” Read the rest of the Tip...
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