Road Bike Racing - My form is gone. Time for some mid-season regrouping.

I hate to say it, but I think it's time for a week off.

I went to the Wilmington crit today and got dropped/pulled in yet another downtown crit. Yippee.

My pre-race routine and warmup were actually good, and I rolled up to the line thinking this would be a pretty good race. The whistle blew and I was situated in the front of the pack. The first turn was a left into a short uphill, then 1/2 block to a right. After turn 2 there's a 2-block stretch to get situated for the next turn. So I take a nice smooth line through turn 1 and it lines me up perfectly for turn 2.

As I come through turn 2 in a nice, gentle arc, a rider to my inside decides that he needs to start setting himself up for turn 3 and bumps me to the outside. I drift over a bit and gently bump a rider that was lined up to my outside. I go from 10th wheel to 30th during this little exchange. On the second lap, the same exact thing happens with a different rider, only this time I almost get pushed into the curb instead of another rider. I manage to stay upright and keep going, but of course I've lost even more ground. The pack gets absolutely shredded, and within 5-6 laps I'm clinging to a little chase group until we get pulled.

60 or so cat 4's started the race, and I'm pretty sure the final pack had about 10-12 guys in it. Lots of crashes, lots of guys getting shelled. Really a brutal race. In fact, not a single guy from my team (and we have some damn strong cat 4's) finished the 4 race.

I don't know what's going on--my legs actually felt better than my last technical crit, but mentally I'm totally out of it. My head just isn't in the game. Hell, the last couple days I barely even wanted to get on my bike. Hell, I couldn't even motivate myself to lube the chain last night.

I'm not performing well, and my mental game is out the window right now. I think I'm going to keep up some tempo/endurance work for Mon/Tue, do my training race on Wed, and then take the week off. Like, completely off the bike. My form is completely shot right now, so it's not like it can get any worse. I know this was a tough course, lots of guys got shelled, blah blah blah, but more importantly than losing a couple watts from my legs I feel like I'm just losing my competitive edge/motivation and the races on our local calendar right now will just keep demoralizing me unless I get my head back into the game.

I'm just so disappointed in myself right now, and disappointed that for all the training I've done I have jack to show for it at the races. I need a break, I need to re-focus, I need to clear my head.

Everybody has a bad day now and again.

I doubt that it has anything to do with your form. As you seem to be fully aware of, the culprit seems to be your head. The incidents through the turns illustrate that. I think you're being too hard on yourself. As late wrote, we all have bad days, and even bad weeks.

Do what you think is best, but don't beat yoursellf up about it.

Maybe Dick and Guido are having some relationship issues. Guido might be on top form, but it sounds like Dick needs a break.

That sucks, don't let it get to you. Maybe take a few days off then get right back at it. I find the season has peaks and valleys yours will turn around soon.

pete stop copying my threads :p

i am in the midde of a week totally off the bike so I will let you know how that works out.

I'm just so disappointed in myself right now, and disappointed that for all the training I've done I have jack to show for it at the races. I need a break, I need to re-focus, I need to clear my head.

I know the feeling. I had two consecutive races last month where I was extremely disappointed and demoralized. The first one I thought I was hot ***** and was being tactically sound and the whole train just went zooming past me with about 1000 meters to go and I rolled in 22nd out of about 40--but it felt WAY worse than a mid-pack finish because of how it happened.

In my next race after that I again thought I was doing everything right but after 10 minutes of the crit it became more and more difficult to hang onto the lead group up the murderous hill. I just pulled off in frustration, rode back to the car, and drove home dejectedly without even waiting until the finish.

I took a couple of days off and then went on a long, steady 5 hour ride to sorta clear my mind and re-establish my goals. It did me a lot of good.

--Steve

Yeah, get some time off and get that killer instinct back. As you know, crits aren't much about fitness, but if you want to race in the US, you gotta get good at them.

Pete, don't let it get to you. Wilmington was a tough race that took luck as well as skill/strength to stay in it. There was a ton of bumping and you had to stay near the front not to suffer after it stung out around the downhill turns. My day ended on the 8th or 9th lap when I hit the gravel in the turn at the bottom of the hill and slid out. You can read the details on the R1V list serve. You would have thought they would have swept the course better, but this stuff happen in bike racing.

While I am a bit pissed about the result (and the huge lump of gauze on my ass), I am about to finish today's workout on the trainer. Because of the way I went down, the only part of my ass that is not raw is that which makes contact with the seat :). My advice to you is to do the same. See you at Greenbelt on Wed.

J

^^^ With regard to the course, I'll add that the one thing that was just stupid to the point of endangering people's safety was Turn 6. This was the fast downhill into a right turn, and the street we turned onto was partially open to oncoming traffic. There was police tape, orange barrels, etc. but ultimately no physical barrier/wall between a sliding racer and oncoming traffic. Considering that I watched 8-9 riders go sliding out in that corner during the 3 race, it was a massive stroke of luck that nobody went sliding into traffic at the wrong time.

Everybody has a bad day now and again.


Correct.

The best thing you can do is kick back for a while, take a break from racing for little while. Cycling is very strange. You can feel like dogmeat and ride great or feel great and ride like dogmeat. You never know DP.

But you will be back. Oh yes. And the world will tremble with Dr. Pete Thunder.

Paris Carbon and full Record?

Good point voltman.

Obviously time for an expensive new racing bicycle. You have full OCP authorization from Pcad for Schwag Procurement to commence.

Funding is your department.

Take a couple of weeks minimum. Chuck the bike in a corner and go do other stuff. It's probably not going to improve doing a couple of more days...

Paris Carbon and full Record?

Paris Hilton and Criminal Record.



:)

Take a couple of weeks minimum. Chuck the bike in a corner and go do other stuff. It's probably not going to improve doing a couple of more days...

+1

I was having some disappointing results earlier this year. Decided to take a couple of my racing weekends and do some running instead. BAM! I finally get some results that are not only really satisfying on a personal level, but also competitive. So who knows...

have you thought about throwing running or other things into the mix?

have you thought about throwing running or other things into the mix?

Yeah, I'll be throwing some running in during my little "vacation," just to keep the calories burning and the heart pumping.

Yeah, I'll be throwing some running in during my little "vacation," just to keep the calories burning and the heart pumping.

Maybe consider trying a 5k race or something, depending on how you feel. Who knows, maybe you will surprise yourself.

Come on DP. New bicycle. Say it with me my brothers.

Can I get a witness?

Pete your welcome to try an Ohio RR this weekend. We got a 4 stage deal starting Friday night.:D You need a good race were you can get in a good break and drop the hammer and not have to worry about the riding habits of 60 other guys. I know you have the talent, but I'd be demoralized trying to wade through 60 mofo's.

hey drpete no worries, it happens to the best of us. i kinda saw it happening in the early stages for me beginning of last week, so i trained myself into the ground to make sure my time off the bike was at least spent recovering. this is my third day and im already starting to get that bike itch again. ill prob make myself take one more day off tho to make sure im fresh. keep at it!

try watching some cycling videos to get some motivation back, too. works for me when i'm sick of riding. anything with merckx just makes me excited to ride again, really want to get out there and dominate.

Come on DP. New bicycle. Say it with me my brothers.

Can I get a witness?

Maybe a steel bike.

Doc Pete just take a break. There is a possibility there are other factors, (responsibilities), mentally taxing you. Taking the break may help you identify them and work them out. Trading riding for cycling may not be the answer either try "nothing" for a change.

If all that doesn't work...then I'm with PCad, more swag!.

Swag Rules.

Swag Rules.

Yes, yes it does. If I could find a placebo strong enough to get my head back into racing I'd seriously consider it. :)

Sometimes a break is just what you need to get your head back in the game. Take some time off homie.

I hate to say it, but I think it's time for a week off.

I went to the Wilmington crit today and got dropped/pulled in yet another downtown crit. Yippee.

My pre-race routine and warmup were actually good, and I rolled up to the line thinking this would be a pretty good race. The whistle blew and I was situated in the front of the pack. The first turn was a left into a short uphill, then 1/2 block to a right. After turn 2 there's a 2-block stretch to get situated for the next turn. So I take a nice smooth line through turn 1 and it lines me up perfectly for turn 2.

As I come through turn 2 in a nice, gentle arc, a rider to my inside decides that he needs to start setting himself up for turn 3 and bumps me to the outside. I drift over a bit and gently bump a rider that was lined up to my outside. I go from 10th wheel to 30th during this little exchange. On the second lap, the same exact thing happens with a different rider, only this time I almost get pushed into the curb instead of another rider. I manage to stay upright and keep going, but of course I've lost even more ground. The pack gets absolutely shredded, and within 5-6 laps I'm clinging to a little chase group until we get pulled.

60 or so cat 4's started the race, and I'm pretty sure the final pack had about 10-12 guys in it. Lots of crashes, lots of guys getting shelled. Really a brutal race. In fact, not a single guy from my team (and we have some damn strong cat 4's) finished the 4 race.

I don't know what's going on--my legs actually felt better than my last technical crit, but mentally I'm totally out of it. My head just isn't in the game. Hell, the last couple days I barely even wanted to get on my bike. Hell, I couldn't even motivate myself to lube the chain last night.

I'm not performing well, and my mental game is out the window right now. I think I'm going to keep up some tempo/endurance work for Mon/Tue, do my training race on Wed, and then take the week off. Like, completely off the bike. My form is completely shot right now, so it's not like it can get any worse. I know this was a tough course, lots of guys got shelled, blah blah blah, but more importantly than losing a couple watts from my legs I feel like I'm just losing my competitive edge/motivation and the races on our local calendar right now will just keep demoralizing me unless I get my head back into the game.

I'm just so disappointed in myself right now, and disappointed that for all the training I've done I have jack to show for it at the races. I need a break, I need to re-focus, I need to clear my head.


Sorry it didnt go well Pete. Take a break after Quicksilver - that'll be a better race course for you. I missed out on both races this weekend, CSC and the District Crit ... this was a goal weekend for my season, but due to stuff happening in May that kept me off the bike for weeks and a work emergency that had me working until near midnight friday night and all day saturday, I didnt even get to ride:mad:

Seriously, do quicksilver, it's alot like Carl Dolan which you were rockin' until you had to turn into the first responder.

Seriously, do quicksilver, it's alot like Carl Dolan which you were rockin' until you had to turn into the first responder.

Hehe... of course, I'm out of town for that one. :mad: Stupid family. :) :D

I'll do the next 2 Greenbelt races and come back for RFK. Reston Town Center GP will be the big test to see if I was able to shake the technical crit monkey off my back...

rest, and a little more rest.
It does wonders rather physically/mentally.
I have the same problem right now, except it is not mentally but physically.
My legs are real heavy and feel dead, + my heart rate is up.
Sure sign of over-training.
I did a hard 30 mile ride today and even when I pushed it just did not have the snap, so I figure I will take off until thursday and do an easy 25 mile ride just spin, then take off friday,sat, and ride a long slow 60 miler on Sunday.

Yeah, I'll be throwing some running in during my little "vacation," just to keep the calories burning and the heart pumping.

I think if you're going to take the time off, I wouldn't run. Just take the time off. Maybe a short and easy tandem ride or something (no cycling clothes -- not even shoes). If you're doing this for your head, then you need to let go of worry about maintaining fitness while you're taking time off.

If you run, you'll probably run really hard, then be pissed that your pace wasn't as fast as you'd hoped. That could shake your confidence, and a couple runs aren't going to matter for your fitness.

^^^ I was thinking along the lines of light jogs/walks with the dog--nothing really goal-oriented.

I think if you're going to take the time off, I wouldn't run. Just take the time off. Maybe a short and easy tandem ride or something (no cycling clothes -- not even shoes). If you're doing this for your head, then you need to let go of worry about maintaining fitness while you're taking time off.

If you run, you'll probably run really hard, then be pissed that your pace wasn't as fast as you'd hoped. That could shake your confidence, and a couple runs aren't going to matter for your fitness.

What's more, there's the possibility of hurting yourself, if you don't run much to start out with (if you were a triathlete, it'd be a different story.)

Running is going to take stress off of some of the connective tissue and musculature used for cycling (which is what you want) and place it on others that are not used as much, increasing the risk of injury until your body has time to adapt. Given this is only a week of rest, there won't be much adaptation from running.

^^^ I was thinking along the lines of light jogs/walks with the dog--nothing really goal-oriented.

Just make sure you monitor yourself closely. I was walking at lunchtime one day, stepped off of a curb the wrong way and injured something in my knee.

Sometimes a break is just what you need to get your head back in the game. Take some time off homie.

'Homie'?

http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/7/7/3/1/9231377-9231380-slarge.jpg

Hell, I couldn't even motivate myself to lube the chain last night.



Is that what you kids are calling it now? That is really a bummer for the missus. And so soon after the honeymoon ... :)

I'd take a few days off the bike, then pick a few of your favorite rides and just do them at a nice leisurely pace over the next couple days. Leave your power meter at home or cover the display. Maybe do a bit of Mtn. biking or ride a fixed gear if you are into that sort of thing. I bet you'll be motivated to train and race hard in no time.

If the rest and relaxation doesn't work, you could always try a new coach:

http://davefoley.com/bikeracing/negacoach/index.html

i hear ya, i'm in a slump too. i got a cold or something, so i took a few days off, then i rode again and was stuggling on even the little stuff, then people started crowding my weekend so i rode even less, which will make it harder to get back into it this week.

it's a vicious circle of negativity. i usually get this way once or twice a year.

Pretty early in the season for a mental burnout ... that's August/September symptoms for most. I'd discourage you from taking a week off the bike, but that's just me.

I'll give you a bunch of reasons to feel good about going out and riding/training/racing, regardless of race results. Back at end of April, my form was seriously coming on, I was rocking, even holding back and being a team guy in a few races not to lay all my cards on the table. I knew I had some room to get faster before my first block of "target races" which are pretty much last weekend through Reston. Then on May 1, the week of a big target race for my team, as you and many who read my random blabbing on this forum know, my 4 month old daughter needed to be admitted to the hospital. She was in and out of the hospital for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks of May (she's fine now for those reading and interested), which resulted in very little to no training/racing for me, no rest, sickness, and a big loss of fitness. 15 days/nights in hospital chairs/lobbies "sleeping" left me exhausted, but I got a good week of training in from 5/22 - 5/29, then all the time I missed from work, resulting in projects that were neglected and backlogged, is coming back to haunt me ... I have a series of 70 hour weeks, so am missing more training, at even greater fitness loss. I refuse (with the support of my coach) to believe that my season's shot, but there is certainly an opportunity cost.

Now, Dr. Pete, quit your moping and go out to ride your bike w/ no power doo hickeys, HRM, or even a speedometer. Try to get back to why you love riding - go down a road that you have no idea where it ends up, sprint up a hill for no reason, turn a big ring on a flat or downhill just to see how fast you can go, spin up a hill without taxing your self just to see how slow you can go without falling down, join up on a group ride you normally dont do just because, listen to the hum of your tires on the road and clicking of your gears when you shift, stuff like that. I bet that'll get you out of your mental block after a few days, then you can start "training" again.

People race bikes for all kinds of reasons. You should figure out why it is that you do it. Without knowing that there is no way that anyone can give you the answer. Look inside yourself for it.

Doc, hang tough man. We ALL go through it. This crazy sport demands so much dedication and is so tough its a recipe for burnout. Intervals 'til you barf and don't even THINK about having that whole piece of chocolate cake at your kid's birthday party. Take the time off, and enjoy it guilt-free.

Also, consider some different goals when you make your comeback. I trained for and tried a Cyclosportive event (think timed century/aka race with a mostly mass start) and it was really fun and different (110 miles and 8500' of climbing) from the typical crit or RR (usually 50 miles or so here in SCal).

good luck!

gene r

People race bikes for all kinds of reasons. You should figure out why it is that you do it. Without knowing that there is no way that anyone can give you the answer. Look inside yourself for it.

good post. we tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves to train, eat right, etc. sometimes, i'll admit, that i don't know why this is so important to me. i just know that it's something i feel i gotta do.

People race bikes for all kinds of reasons. You should figure out why it is that you do it. Without knowing that there is no way that anyone can give you the answer. Look inside yourself for it.

Easy. Chicks and all the PHAT Cat 4 prize money. Next question. :D :beer:

Easy. Chicks and all the PHAT Cat 4 prize money. Next question. :D :beer:

So the honeymoon is over?:eek:

So the honeymoon is over?:eek:

Hehe... nothing gets the wifey going like watching her hubby duke it out on the mean streets of Industrial Park #386. :D

Prescribe something for yourself!

Pretty early in the season for a mental burnout ... that's August/September symptoms for most. I'd discourage you from taking a week off the bike, but that's just me.

I'll give you a bunch of reasons to feel good about going out and riding/training/racing, regardless of race results. Back at end of April, my form was seriously coming on, I was rocking, even holding back and being a team guy in a few races not to lay all my cards on the table. I knew I had some room to get faster before my first block of "target races" which are pretty much last weekend through Reston. Then on May 1, the week of a big target race for my team, as you and many who read my random blabbing on this forum know, my 4 month old daughter needed to be admitted to the hospital. She was in and out of the hospital for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks of May (she's fine now for those reading and interested), which resulted in very little to no training/racing for me, no rest, sickness, and a big loss of fitness. 15 days/nights in hospital chairs/lobbies "sleeping" left me exhausted, but I got a good week of training in from 5/22 - 5/29, then all the time I missed from work, resulting in projects that were neglected and backlogged, is coming back to haunt me ... I have a series of 70 hour weeks, so am missing more training, at even greater fitness loss. I refuse (with the support of my coach) to believe that my season's shot, but there is certainly an opportunity cost.

Now, Dr. Pete, quit your moping and go out to ride your bike w/ no power doo hickeys, HRM, or even a speedometer. Try to get back to why you love riding - go down a road that you have no idea where it ends up, sprint up a hill for no reason, turn a big ring on a flat or downhill just to see how fast you can go, spin up a hill without taxing your self just to see how slow you can go without falling down, join up on a group ride you normally dont do just because, listen to the hum of your tires on the road and clicking of your gears when you shift, stuff like that. I bet that'll get you out of your mental block after a few days, then you can start "training" again.

You definitely win for most poetic recommendation--that last paragraph was just fun to read. And I did find it quite liberating to race without my Powertap while my PT wheel was in the shop--I've started doing it routinely. It definitely helps me focus.

My "week off" is really going to look more like 5 days, as much out of necessity as anything, so it's not like I'm taking a ton of time. I just need to recharge a bit. And if after 3 days I'm feelin' it again, I'll hop on the bike.

As an added bonus, I'm finally cashing in my coaching session with Evan and will be doing some cornering drills, etc. with him this week. I have a feeling this'll be a huge help. Then after greenbelt I'll just shut it down for a few days and take it easy.

I think a lot of the reason that I'm in a bit of a July/August slump is that I really pushed my training forward to adjust for the fact that I won't be predictably racing anymore after july 1st. It's just going to be hard when I'm on call, etc. to get to races. I think that has a lot to do with why I'm feeling the "late season" burnout symptoms right now.

I was sort of reflecting on the "why do you race" question last night, and I got a healthy dose of perspective. I started racing a year ago. And when I started, I wasn't doing any structured training at all, and probably riding 2-3 times a week. I got 15 or so races in as a 5 and catted up to return this spring in cat 4. And with the exception of the technical crits, I've been doing reasonably well in the races I've done. Nothing spectacular, but certainly not the worst guy out there. I'm also riding more often more consistently than I ever have. And I'm doing it with a club/team that's just a joy to ride and race with.

Hehe... nothing gets the wifey going like watching her hubby duke it out on the mean streets of Industrial Park #386. :D

[Eric Idle voice]Say no more ... SAY NO MORE[/Eric Idle voice]

Nudge-Nudge, wink-wink.:)

I think you have found your motivation.;)

good post. we tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves to train, eat right, etc. sometimes, i'll admit, that i don't know why this is so important to me. i just know that it's something i feel i gotta do.

Wait, am I supposed to be eating right? Oreos or death!

Wait, am I supposed to be eating right? Oreos or death!

That's very close. It's Oreos = Death.

But you go out happy. Double Stuf Oreos help you die twice as happy.

http://wowphilippines.com/catalog/images/oreodstuff.jpg