1 month to race fitness? Is it possible?
04-30-08, 11:14 PM
#1
Legs of Steel
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1 month to race fitness? Is it possible?
So since November I have been writing my Masters thesis and have only put in 147 miles this year on the bike. I defended my thesis on Monday and it is time to hit the pedals hard. I am 20 lbs heavier than I was in November and not near in the same fitness level. Anyone have any intense riding plans that would get me somewhat suitable to race by June? (Not winning but not afraid of having a heart attack from being fat)
I basically need to do all of my base in a quick period of time and start building some fitness....ideally I'd like to be racing in somewhat decent form by the end of the season.
I upgraded to 4's at the end of the season last year and put in 375 hrs last year on the bike. I want to put atleast that many in by the end of the year this year and focus on being in great race shape by the end of next season. Any advice would be appreciated!
I basically need to do all of my base in a quick period of time and start building some fitness....ideally I'd like to be racing in somewhat decent form by the end of the season.
I upgraded to 4's at the end of the season last year and put in 375 hrs last year on the bike. I want to put atleast that many in by the end of the year this year and focus on being in great race shape by the end of next season. Any advice would be appreciated!
05-01-08, 02:22 AM
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good luck with that... i'd try to take it easier if i were you.
05-01-08, 05:20 AM
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I predict severe droppage. Is it that important to race in this particular race, when you should really be doing base training?
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05-01-08, 06:19 AM
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05-01-08, 06:34 AM
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don't dig yourself into a hole. ride, remind yourself why you enjoy riding, after a while do some group rides , then assess.
if all else fails, read this.
if all else fails, read this.
05-01-08, 06:40 AM
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Week One: just put in some miles. Do some fast pedal intervals, and some one legged drills.
Week Two: put in a little bit longer miles. Add some tempo intervals
Week Three: add some steady state intervals and a hard group ride.
Week Four: recovery week, back off just a bit.
Week Five: start racing, realizing you're not back to where you left off, but use the races for training.
Week Two: put in a little bit longer miles. Add some tempo intervals
Week Three: add some steady state intervals and a hard group ride.
Week Four: recovery week, back off just a bit.
Week Five: start racing, realizing you're not back to where you left off, but use the races for training.
05-01-08, 12:21 PM
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No particular race....just want to race again. I understand this season is going to be a wash and I understand I will be dropped in EVERY race I do (which isn't much different than last season). I just wanted to build some fitness and wondered if anyone had some boot camp-esque type of training for quick fitness.
Thanks for your replies everyone.
05-01-08, 12:30 PM
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Get you base miles in, atleast 4 to 6 weeks. Then you can begin working on SST rides till you can hang with the pack.
05-01-08, 01:24 PM
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3 years and I am still not there. I don't know what you could accomplis in a month.
05-01-08, 01:35 PM
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I started training after the new year and was racing by Feb 3. Bummer weather(rain, cold, wind) and got dropped in the first race. Following week 5th. week after that 3rd.
It can be done.
It can be done.
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"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo daVinci
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05-01-08, 01:44 PM
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In my younger days I could do it on a Computrainer in 3 weeks. Now it takes a few months, several thousand miles in weather and road conditions that 90% of the weenies here would never consider tolerating, a major diet, getting my lungs sucked out in a few early races and and some Divine Intervention.
What a fun hobby this is.
What a fun hobby this is.
05-01-08, 02:13 PM
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At a 20lb deficit from last year and that little riding, I imagine you are at least 3 months away from last years race form. If you bust ass and make riding the only goal in your life you might be 2 months away, but with a normal schedule I'd guess you have 4-5 months untill you are "there", your season is shot unless you want to race in September and October.
05-01-08, 02:40 PM
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Your season isn't shot unless you're racing Cat3 or above. Anything below that and you're basically just racing for experience, anyway. Just get out there and do the best you can. Racing when you aren't as strong as you'd like to be can help make you a smarter racer, too.
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"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo daVinci
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo daVinci
05-01-08, 02:43 PM
#19
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Let us know how it goes Chris.....
Here is a flashback to last season for ya
Here is a flashback to last season for ya
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05-01-08, 04:21 PM
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Skip base all together. Do TT intervals, lactate intervals and recovery rides. I'll have a consolation beer ready for you after lap 3. 
05-01-08, 04:37 PM
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Your season isn't shot. Just pick a race or several to aim for in September. Skip the long base miles, but do plenty of tempo and sweet spot training for the next month or two, suffer through your first races, then add in your intensity in July/August and peak in September. Everyone else will be on the decline so it'll be a good chance to kick ass.
05-01-08, 04:52 PM
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or me 
Just take the approach that I am, don't try to rush it, just take each race as a stepping stone and learning experience leading to hopefully better results later in the season. I'll probably be OTB in the first lap next week and yanked off the course in embarrassment - which will drive me to work harder for the July and August road races. Put a pic of Pcad with his big hair on your stem too...it can't hurt.
Just take the approach that I am, don't try to rush it, just take each race as a stepping stone and learning experience leading to hopefully better results later in the season. I'll probably be OTB in the first lap next week and yanked off the course in embarrassment - which will drive me to work harder for the July and August road races. Put a pic of Pcad with his big hair on your stem too...it can't hurt.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey