FormerBMX'er

Yeah, another newbie question; should I move to Build 1 or stay in Base?

We've had more than our fair share of snow in Boston this year and the training crits don't start until March. I wanted to peak in Late April but I feel I need the training races to be part of Build 1. So, should I just continue my Base3 workouts with slightly higher intensity or just move Build 1 without the training races?

Thanx

Apus^2

Back track. Set your race weeks where you want them, put the peak weeks in front of that. Then add on your build cycles. That should give you the date when to start building.

YMCA

Stay in build3 until it is time to race, then race.

FormerBMX'er

That's what I did, but at the time the race schedule wasn't available...nebra.org. I still should be fairly strong for what I had picked as an "A-Race" so I'll just make it a "B-Race". I'll spend another month in Base 3 and peak in May instead of April. Thanks guys...I'm hoping for respectable first season.

cmh

First season? Don't over think it. Just keep to your original training schedule and race whenever you can.

ljrichar

Yeah, why are you trying to peak for your 1st season. Race as much as possible.

javashane

I'm also in Boston and I'm just about to begin my uh, 3rd attempt at Base3. This weather has been terrible! I agree with the other guys- don't worry too much about your training schedule and race as much as possible. If you feel like you're getting sick of it, back off a bit and then ramp up again. For instance I'm not a big crit guy and the NEBRA schedule is critacular June-July, so I'll rest up a bit and start again.

I probably won't really get in any intensity until Wells Ave starts, and yeah, the season begins shortly after!

FormerBMX'er

Give me a valid reason for not planning to Peak? This is my first year racing, not riding. There will be plenty of hard group rides and racing through Build 1 and Build 2 if I adjust my schedule.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that I want higher intensity in Build 1. Those rides/races won't be availible until next month...Wells Ave.

JoesInBoston

I would stick to your original plan. The weather isn't going to stop me from my season prep, tis why I got a trainer.

See you out at the Wells Ave C races in mid March!

Duke of Kent

As I've responded to posts like this before, you should be going into your first season all guns blazing. If you're not in respectable shape as a Cat4/5, right from the start of the season, you're behind the 8 ball from the start.

You won't be learning when you're racing; you won't be racing at all. You'll be sucking wheel at the back of the field. Seriously, if you've never raced before, it's beyond laughable to think that you understand the demands that bike racing will place on your body, and how your body will adapt to the training and recovery necessary to train yourself according to any predetermined plan.

FormerBMX'er

I totally relate to the "guns blazing" approach, but I'm not sure how the rest applies. As a first year racer I don't expect to be ripping off wins, but I do expect to finish with the main field. I ride with guys who race and they've already informed me races are faster than fastest group ride. I've also been complemented on my January form so I think I'm on the right track. That said, I've gone out on some very painful training rides in the past. I like to think I have some idea of the suffering that awaits.

I totally want to come out poppin' this year, I'm just not sure about the schedule.

wfrogge

Do you train with power/HR? If so what zones are most of your workouts in? This time of year you should be doing lots of work to raise your FTP (zone 3/4 work) and at least one day a week with a very hard group ride that starts hitting your V02max zones from time to time.

Most of the guys I see that say in "base" go too easy during the winter and are behind when the first races start.

ljrichar

Thanks DOK, that was what I meant. It seems like all the more experienced racers on this forum (ie YMCA, DOK, wfrogge, etc...) would agree with this statement. I'm not saying to not have a training plan but peaking for your 1st season is over thinking it a bit.

wfrogge

I'm two full seasons on my "return" to racing and still haven't hit a peak yet.

currand

+9,453,236. I can't agree enough. Last couple of seasons I hung on for dear life. That's not racing. That's hanging on for dear life.

dmotoguy

don't expect to finish in the field and good January form can be VERY deceiving.

FormerBMX'er

I train with power, but I'm sure not it's worth talking about. I wasn't going to plunk down $800~$1000 for a PT and then find I hate racing. I'm using a KK trainer with their power computer that calculates power. Not ideal, but better than nothing. If I like racing then I'll grab a PT next year. I don't have a HR monitor, but I'm picking up a Garmin 705 this weekend. 2X20 is in the 260w range @ 146~148lbs.

DrWJODonnell

Sorry, but just because a person is a beginner does not mean that they cannot benefit from sound training principles. It's the same argument as telling a person under cat 3 not to have a power meter or a coach. Can you imagine telling kids that for little league, they don't need a coach, but by the time they get to play college ball they can start training more like real ball players and have a coach then.

Sorry to threadjack, but I just feel that advising people not to train smart because they are starting out is foolish. The dude isn't trying to do daily motorpacing or climb 16,000 feet in a day. He just wants to train smart.

Having said that, unless the race is in under a month, I think that base is always a good way to go.

ldesfor1@ithaca

I always feel a bit mixed here, but in your case, I think having structure (as long as it's what YOU want) is great. Not only does it let you feel what works and what doesnt, it gives you, I feel, a better chance of having a successful season.

I too am peaking in mid April, and granted it will be my second structured season, will be starting BUILD1 on the 19th of February. Up until then, I'll have spent maybe 1% of my time above FTP (not including my hill work, which is basically on the bike strength work).
I've been building up my base since November and feel very ready to hit the VO2's and AEC work.

I'll also be using Wells ave. to hone some of my high end power.

That said, FT work is always KING in my book, so dont stop boosting the FTP. SST is always my default workout.

I'm sure you'll do great, man!

See you out there!

-L

wanders

Man, I'm doing something wrong. Those sound pretty good for a start.

kensuf

Look at his handle. He probably already has a decent base to build on.

wanders

Then that settles it, I'm drinking what's left of the steroid drops my doctor gave me for my eye.

wfrogge

If you can put out that kind of power I say dont sit in... Make the race happen.

wfrogge

I have never seen somebody "burn out" that was strong in January. They usually start strong and get stronger as the year goes on.


Dont be skurred of riding and training hard during the winter.

FormerBMX'er

Oddly enough there is some truth to that. I use to race BMX and was a fairly decent Track & Field Sprinter. I use to pull down sub 50" quarter mile foot sprint times on fairly crappy training.

I know for certain the structured training is working. I've dropped 10lbs since September and I know my power has gone up. I have a 2 year old at home and a fairly demanding job so I need to be structured. Last year I rode how I wanted and sucked.

From my Tuesday Workout:

Tue Feb 3rd 2009

Muscle Endurance: (M2: Cruise Intervals) Big Gear 13 or 14 cog, 4x10' -RI 2' 30"

RPE Very Hard
4x10' -RI 2' 30"
10.30mi
20.5mph avg
271w avg work interval
330max
weight = 146.2/66.3kg