Elements of training

The season is getting late and there is a lot of ground to cover.  It's not just a matter stacking miles.  I mean, sure, you need miles, but there's more to it.  Physical endurance is a large part, but not entirely the only thing.  You need physical strength and endurance as well as mental strength and endurance.  You can't show up on race day with all physical prep, the mental has to be prepped as well.  It is a long day. Without a strong mind, will and the ability to push pain and fatigue out of your mind, you will have problems.

I recently watched a video with Tyler Hamilton speaking at Oxford about his doping ordeal.  I'm not, nor have I ever been a Lance fan, but I've kind of been a little easier on Hamilton.  I think he was a good guy caught in the mix of bad people and an impossible position.  He said he had an exceptional pain threshold - the key to riding hard in competitive events.  As he put it, "Hamiltons are tough".  I believe that toughness can be a genetic trait, but I also believe it to be something that has to be developed and improved.  Your body is an amazing machine.  Our minds, however, tend to override our body's ability to endure.  I've heard it said that Navy Seals teach that we are kind of programmed to give up at at less than 40% of our full ability.  I believe it, not sure about the 40%, but I know it is low.  The point is, you need to learn how to push past the limits and drive forward.

Given my limited schedule for riding, I often like to take my mountain bike out for a good push.  It's generally less than an hour, but you can see by the graphic above, it's not an easy ride.  The way I figure it, if I can teach my body to accept pain for an hour at a time, I can extended that on longer rides.  I'm still having trouble getting my heart rate into the low 170's, but still pushing.  I've got to start pushing for four hours at mid to high aerobic conditions.  You can't afford to go into an anaerobic condition for more than only about 10% of the overall ride.  At the same time, if you let off, you loose a ton of momentum that simply can't be recovered.  Listening to your body is tricky, as you can't let off, but also can't afford to get "gassed".  Recognizing spinning recoveries aside from rolling recoveries. - yes there is a big difference.  Rolling recoveries can be costly, as your heart rate can drop too low.  Add to this proper fueling, you can bonk without knowing it.  By the time you sense something is wrong, it is too late.  Man, there is a lot to do and a lot to get in order.

Starting to work on the bike a little at a time.  Re-wrapped the bars yesterday with good quality Cinelli cork.  Waiting for a new seat post and should have that before my next long ride.  I need to start going through wheel sets and drive train.  I also need to tweak the shoes and cleats'

A lot to do..................  Stick around.

Ah - "The Mess". Click here

Ride HARD!