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Never Riding well

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01 / Original postNever Riding wellIrelander · 11 May 2005 02 / This pagePosts 1–9Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #9velomanct · 12 May 2005

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Original section
Cycling Training
Published
11 May 2005
Last activity
12 May 2005
Original author
Irelander
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9
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Public discussion
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1,374
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Interval trainingRecoveryTraining plans

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  1. Original post
    Irelander
    Archived post
    #1

    I've been racing for the last 4years, I am currently riding at the top amateur category in my country, the problem is I train hard wit regular rest weeks and I still cannot compete, I end up either just hanging on in races or getting dropped. I race at least twice a week sometimes 3 times, Big race on sunday bigish race on tuesday and club race on wednesday, There is a guy I train wit who only started racing this year and he is flying, he is going alot better than myself. What I want to know is are There people out there who just cannot race maybe their body just aint built to cope wit riding at 89% for an hour. Im at the point where Im unsure if I should continue racing, I want to be able to race when I am in a race and not just bury myself just to hang on.

    Another thing I have no consistency whatsoever one week I could blow 10miles into A club race the next I could be in the top six?

    What should I do??? 🙁

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  2. tfstrum
    Archived post
    #2

    Hire a coach or join a racing club and get an opinion from someone that knows what it takes. Hard to tell from a message how you train, how you eat, how you recover, etc.

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  3. Irelander
    Archived post
    #3

    Im in a good racing club but I dont think being in a club is going to have a dramatic effect on my performance.

    What I want to know is am I wasting my time training and racing if I dont see any improvement, this season has been my hardest yet as far as racing and training goes and still I have seen no big improvement. I really love Racing and do not want to give it up but I do not want to continue as I am.

    If there are any good coachs out there who might be able to help I record my training and racing on my computer via my polar infa red and would be willing to E-mail it on.

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  4. d_paul1
    Archived post
    #4
    Irelander said:

    Im in a good racing club but I dont think being in a club is going to have a dramatic effect on my performance.

    What I want to know is am I wasting my time training and racing if I dont see any improvement, this season has been my hardest yet as far as racing and training goes and still I have seen no big improvement. I really love Racing and do not want to give it up but I do not want to continue as I am.

    If there are any good coachs out there who might be able to help I record my training and racing on my computer via my polar infa red and would be willing to E-mail it on.

    Are you racing in "A" Cat? What if you would try "B" or "C"?

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  5. robkit
    Archived post
    #5

    racing at the top amateur category for your country sounds pretty good to me, its further than many of us go.

    first, do you just race 3 times a week all season, with specific goals or peaks in mind? that could be part of the problem. better to set some big targets, anda few minor targets, and tailor your training and racing load to peak for those - which may include more rest before these events.

    second, have you tried just racing less, like 1 or 2 times a week. you dont have to race that much to get race fit, and if you go into every race with 2 other races in your legs from the previous 7 days, that could be too much to be truly competitive.

    third, races dont always give the kind of preparation you need. there will be points in a race where you really have to go hard to stay on, but if yourealready stuffed at that point then thats not a good way to train for these efforts. maybe take some time out to work on specific weaknesses using intervals.

    fourth, what do you feel are your specific weaknesses? climbing? power required to stay in the bunch during a 1/2/3 minute surge?

    im not a coach, but these are some ideas ive heard banded about.

    lastly, if you are at point where you would rather "compete" in a lower category than "exist" in the top one, have you considered entering different races or allowingm your licence to downgrade? there comes a point where anyone feels they are putting enough time and effort into cycling, and then its maybe a case of switching the focus from constant improvement to enjoyment.

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  6. Irelander
    Archived post
    #6

    I am an A but I my fitness is that of a "B". I got my "A" lic last year but got no points as an "a" so they sent me a "b" lic at the start of the season but I didnt do any "B" races I did all "A" races in prep for the Ras (8 day 2.2 uci race) then after 7 races and gaining 5 points as a "B" I was sent my "A" Lisense, Even though it takes 15 points to get upgraded. Anyway There is no satisfaction winning B Races.

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  7. Irelander
    Archived post
    #7

    I only race 3 times a week now and again, So far this week i've done 2hr 15mind tuesday morning, I did 3 Hill intervals and rode the rest at about 78%, went to work at 2 finished work at 6, raced at 7.30, today I raced and DNF only 50mins exercise and I plan on doing 3hrs tomorrow including some sprints or LT Intervals.

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  8. Catabolic_Jones
    Archived post
    #8

    Please excuse me if i seem harsh, but RACE LESS! Try once a week. Especially if you are throwing in hard workouts inbetween races! You only get stronger when you rest.

    I would also be concerned that you might be chronically overtrained or at least continuously overreaching. You'd do well to hit a rest week straightaway, take that time to plan a schedule and prioritize races for the rest of the season. Plan to peak.

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  9. velomanct
    Archived post
    #9

    you need to periodize! you simply can't do the same training and racing each week and expect to improve the whole season. you will plateau and then lose fitness.
    and racing 3 times a week is way too much in my opinion. no wonder you are having trouble.
    i would suggest you get a coach

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