Best Place/Way to Spend a Week or Two of Race Training
#1
Aut Vincere Aut Mori
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 4,166
Bikes: Irish Cycles Tir na Nog, Jack Kane Team Racing, Fuji Aloha 1.0, GT Karakoram, Motobecane Fly Team
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Best Place/Way to Spend a Week or Two of Race Training
Well...after doing really well during my month off after the surgery - the first week back to work has been kinda rough. My diet and sleep habits went to crap, and being on my feet all day at work caused my knee to puff up like a balloon.
This of course is very bad, but not so bad that I can't remedy the ill effects of the last week in 2-3 weeks of focused rest/training and diet.
Now, I'll get my act back together, but I've really done the "two steps forward, one step back" - so, I've been thinking that in addition to just getting on top of my daily routine again I might benefit from taking a week or two off to do some focused training sometime in April or May.
My first "A" race is on the last weekend of May, everything before that is just an opportunity to snag more upgrade points and top 10s.
What I'm thinking about doing is driving out to the mountains of Boone/Asheville and putting in a big, big, big week. Something like 25-30 hours, and 1500+ TSS. Provided I experience no additional knee issues between then and now, the intent of that weekish would be to provide a hefty shock to the system to force adaptation. I'd then take the following week easy, and return to normal training after that. Plus, I like riding my bike in the mountains
Is this a stupid idea? If so, how stupid? If no - any suggestions?
This of course is very bad, but not so bad that I can't remedy the ill effects of the last week in 2-3 weeks of focused rest/training and diet.
Now, I'll get my act back together, but I've really done the "two steps forward, one step back" - so, I've been thinking that in addition to just getting on top of my daily routine again I might benefit from taking a week or two off to do some focused training sometime in April or May.
My first "A" race is on the last weekend of May, everything before that is just an opportunity to snag more upgrade points and top 10s.
What I'm thinking about doing is driving out to the mountains of Boone/Asheville and putting in a big, big, big week. Something like 25-30 hours, and 1500+ TSS. Provided I experience no additional knee issues between then and now, the intent of that weekish would be to provide a hefty shock to the system to force adaptation. I'd then take the following week easy, and return to normal training after that. Plus, I like riding my bike in the mountains
Is this a stupid idea? If so, how stupid? If no - any suggestions?
#2
Globo Gym lifetime member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Redmond, Oregon
Posts: 5,204
Bikes: Fast ones
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 410 Post(s)
Liked 614 Times
in
306 Posts
Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus
Well...after doing really well during my month off after the surgery - the first week back to work has been kinda rough. My diet and sleep habits went to crap, and being on my feet all day at work caused my knee to puff up like a balloon.
This of course is very bad, but not so bad that I can't remedy the ill effects of the last week in 2-3 weeks of focused rest/training and diet.
Now, I'll get my act back together, but I've really done the "two steps forward, one step back" - so, I've been thinking that in addition to just getting on top of my daily routine again I might benefit from taking a week or two off to do some focused training sometime in April or May.
My first "A" race is on the last weekend of May, everything before that is just an opportunity to snag more upgrade points and top 10s.
What I'm thinking about doing is driving out to the mountains of Boone/Asheville and putting in a big, big, big week. Something like 25-30 hours, and 1500+ TSS. Provided I experience no additional knee issues between then and now, the intent of that weekish would be to provide a hefty shock to the system to force adaptation. I'd then take the following week easy, and return to normal training after that. Plus, I like riding my bike in the mountains
Is this a stupid idea? If so, how stupid? If no - any suggestions?
This of course is very bad, but not so bad that I can't remedy the ill effects of the last week in 2-3 weeks of focused rest/training and diet.
Now, I'll get my act back together, but I've really done the "two steps forward, one step back" - so, I've been thinking that in addition to just getting on top of my daily routine again I might benefit from taking a week or two off to do some focused training sometime in April or May.
My first "A" race is on the last weekend of May, everything before that is just an opportunity to snag more upgrade points and top 10s.
What I'm thinking about doing is driving out to the mountains of Boone/Asheville and putting in a big, big, big week. Something like 25-30 hours, and 1500+ TSS. Provided I experience no additional knee issues between then and now, the intent of that weekish would be to provide a hefty shock to the system to force adaptation. I'd then take the following week easy, and return to normal training after that. Plus, I like riding my bike in the mountains
Is this a stupid idea? If so, how stupid? If no - any suggestions?
__________________
#3
Globo Gym lifetime member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Redmond, Oregon
Posts: 5,204
Bikes: Fast ones
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 410 Post(s)
Liked 614 Times
in
306 Posts
OR, come here to MT. I could use a good week of ownage. Plus the cold will help your swelling.
__________________
#4
Used to be a climber..
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 6,849
Bikes: 2016 Ridley Fenix SL, 2020 Trek Emonda ALR (rim brake)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Going away on vacation to ride isn't such a bad idea....however, riding 2-3 times what you normally would in a given week...not sure how that'll pan out for ya.
#5
Banned.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: ATX, Ex So Cal
Posts: 11,058
Bikes: Ridley Noah-Scott Addict-Orbea Ordu
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by Cypress
OR, come here to MT. I could use a good week of ownage. Plus the cold will help your swelling.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Victoria
Posts: 1,372
Bikes: 05 Norco CRR Team Carbon Dura Ace, 06 Cervelo P2C TT Dura Ace, 88 Olmo Steelie w. Campy Mirage, Cypress CX w. 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Huge training block followed by recovery? Sounds like an awesome plan! Unlike the others, though, I'm not going to invite you up to Canada. The weather here sucks goat balls at the moment.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,040
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I can't understand why you'd go any farther away than the Blue Ridge Parkway (Mount Mitchell, Beech Mountain, the Parkway, named gap after named gap, US181, etc).
--Steve
--Steve
Last edited by zimbo; 03-15-07 at 05:25 PM.
#8
Aut Vincere Aut Mori
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 4,166
Bikes: Irish Cycles Tir na Nog, Jack Kane Team Racing, Fuji Aloha 1.0, GT Karakoram, Motobecane Fly Team
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My normal training week is 12 hours, with high weeks hitting 16-18 hours. I can probably go as high as 20 hours once or maybe twice before planned "uber" training week. After ~6 years of aerobic base built up through running and cycling I imagine that'd be sufficient preparation...
#9
Used to be a climber..
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 6,849
Bikes: 2016 Ridley Fenix SL, 2020 Trek Emonda ALR (rim brake)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Ah....well, I guess if you're hitting close to 20 hours during a hard week, 25-30 isn't that bad. I was just thinking if you went from say, riding 10-12 hours normally to 30 hours....that might've been a bit of a jump.
I'd hit up CA myself.
I'd hit up CA myself.
#10
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
It may be a little far to drive for you, but this sounds like fun:
https://rawtalent.lostriverbarn.com/
https://lostriverbarn.com/
The owner (Jay Moglia) is a member and sponsor of our team... a very experienced Cat 1.
Pardon the shilling.
https://rawtalent.lostriverbarn.com/
https://lostriverbarn.com/
The owner (Jay Moglia) is a member and sponsor of our team... a very experienced Cat 1.
Pardon the shilling.
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
#11
NYC Maggie Backstedt fan
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York City
Posts: 472
Bikes: Trek road and hybrid bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm taking my vacation at the Tour de Georgia, riding the course in the mornings. I'll be in Asheville visiting my brother on April 23-25, if those are days you'll be there and you'd like company on a ride. Hilly but not mountainous I ride 15-16 avg. for 40-60 miles. There's a Tuesday morning club ride from a downtown Asheville bike shop. I got the links from a board here. I think I searched on Asheville.
I think the area, and Boone, are great places to take the bike and get away for some serious riding.
I think the area, and Boone, are great places to take the bike and get away for some serious riding.
#12
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,302
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1447 Post(s)
Liked 724 Times
in
371 Posts
I'm thinking coming off knee surgery and a sedendary period, gradually increasing base miles, and some low tension stuff like fast pedals might be more in order than an uber week in the mountains.
#13
NorCal Climbing Freak
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 872
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Fly to California if you can swing it. I'm currently arranging a flight home for the 7 days of my spring break. Might do the Berkeley collegiate race, or maybe Orosi, while I'm out there.
Just wherever you go, make sure the weather is almost guaranteed to be nice.
Just wherever you go, make sure the weather is almost guaranteed to be nice.
#15
Aut Vincere Aut Mori
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 4,166
Bikes: Irish Cycles Tir na Nog, Jack Kane Team Racing, Fuji Aloha 1.0, GT Karakoram, Motobecane Fly Team
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
I'm thinking coming off knee surgery and a sedendary period, gradually increasing base miles, and some low tension stuff like fast pedals might be more in order than an uber week in the mountains.
#16
Globo Gym lifetime member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Redmond, Oregon
Posts: 5,204
Bikes: Fast ones
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 410 Post(s)
Liked 614 Times
in
306 Posts
Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus
This would be following a solid base, and I'd only do it if I'm pain free from the ol knees. I have roughly 40 hours logged on the trainer since the surgery (8FEB), so I'm hoping that a lack of base will not be a factor.
Come to MT. 5k feet above sea level, then we'll ride to 11k. Show you what aerobic means.
__________________
#17
Eternal Cat3 Rookie
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,167
Bikes: 2004 Giant TCR2 Composite & 2006 Fuji Touring
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Come to north Georgia! Hit up the gaps and ride the TDG course!
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,085
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
greenville is also a great place to train pretty locally, its not going to be as cold as the mountains and youve got tons of great rides and plenty of climbing.
Honestly i would say the mountains though. Asheville, boone maybe.
Honestly i would say the mountains though. Asheville, boone maybe.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina, USA and surrounding islands.
Posts: 8,521
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Motobecane Messenger
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I've found the area around McCormick, Plum Branch, and Modoc, SC around Lake Thurmond (Clark's Hill Lake for those in Georgia) to be a fine place to get some training. You may have to pack a tent or haul an RV out there, as accommodations aren't much in the way of hotels/motels. Rolling hills but no hard climbs.
#20
Making a kilometer blurry
Great suggestions in here. In the interest of preventing overtraining, you might devote a couple of days to mountain biking. If you throw down 5 long days on the road, bouncing off some rocks can be quite refreshing. Could be a nice changeup for recovery rides instead of boring yourself to death on new roads that you wish you could ride hard.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Athens, GA
Posts: 114
Bikes: Cannondale F400
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Come to Athens, GA! 3 pro teams call Athens home, you have the tdg coming up, and an hour drive to the mountain backroads. I might even drive a chase vehicle for you yelling Allez, Allez!
#23
Senior Member
Originally Posted by ri_us
I'd suggest the area around Memphis. Those climbs are horrible, the cost of living is cheap, and the roads are simply pristine.
__________________
BMC Roadmachine
Kona Jake the Snake
BMC Roadmachine
Kona Jake the Snake
#24
.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times
in
12 Posts
Originally Posted by garysol1
Are we talking about the same Memphis I ride in. Our climbs are hills, the cost of living is cheap but you get what you pay for and the roads are terrible with very few roads having as much as a shoulder and most of the lesser traveled roads are tar and chip. With that said we do have a very strong cycling community with a group ride for pretty much any day of the week.
#25
Senior Member
Originally Posted by botto
civic pride.
__________________
BMC Roadmachine
Kona Jake the Snake
BMC Roadmachine
Kona Jake the Snake