For a little while I have been trying to think of something insightful and ideally interesting to write, but needless to say I have been struggling a bit. The CX season for me is over, I am wondering whether to sell my CX bike and more recently its been all about training.
One marginally interesting thing is that I am now only 7 weeks or so away from by first 10mile TT of the year, this is on the V910, its not a flat course but you could hardly call it hilly either, this is a good benchmark race for me as last year when I had only just started coaching i did a 23:24 for 6th overall, a result that I was relatively pleased with at the time.
Its a good early season race, not too serious that it attracts the really big guns but big enough to get a benchmark and one I would advise people to have a go at, although its always cold and windy so leg and arm warmers are probably needed - If anyone wants to ask anything about it let me know!
I am hopeful that I will better that this year, although I have some reservations, I am currently 7kgs heavier than I was this time last year, I expect that I can drop some of this off in the run up but getting down to 80kgs will be unlikely but on the flip side I am carrying form from last season so it should be an interesting test if nothing else.
Also I have been getting the miles in when I can, now into "base" its about getting some endurance in the legs and focusing on that fat burn and at the moment I am getting about 150miles in a week, with a 5 month old at home that feels pretty good given the fact I have to work full time as well!
I also have another test with Rob at York Cycleworks coming up, my last didn't really show the results we were hoping for, but there are so many factors that can influence it that its hard to say why, but one is definitely my weight, I was at one point up at 89kgs, even losing just 2kgs I can feel the difference and my efforts on the bike are better and I can breath more easily, so with a bot more off th next test in just over a week should be better.
On a different point I was out with a group of guys that also like to race at different amateur levels, and we got on to talking about coaching and how they didn't see how it would work for them as they like to "do their own thing", "can't commit to the hours" and "train with mates", and I must admit its not the first time that I have been in one of these conversations and its an interesting discussion.
Mt come back is always the same, "each to their own" but don't disregard it without first having a discussion with a couple of coaches, I found a couple of interesting things when I first starting a coaching plan,
1 - I trained less that I did before
2 - A good coach will be able to build in things that you want to do around the goals.
What this meant in real terms is that I had more spare time to spend with my wife (and now child) and I was still able to get out on group rides and enjoy the banter.
The point about committing to the sets / hours is more about a mindset, I know that some are going to be horrible, I will be in pain for the most of it, but most importantly, that at the end there will be benefits, and that is why I like the structure, it tells me what to do and when all I need to do is commit a few hours a week to delivery and for me thats perfect.
Also for me there is a guilt factor that helps motivate me, I am paying for a service, so by not doing the plans I am not getting best value for money, this might not work for everyone but it helps keep me on track, that said I still miss the odd session, sometimes more important things just come up.
So, have a chat with a coach about coaching if you want to improve or have a specific goal in mind, most will be able set up a plan around your life that will work and it could be less time than you think.
If anyone has anything to ask I could do a Q&A for my next one based on my experience over the last 4-5 years of pedaling bikes.
Cheers
Rich
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