"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Getting really down on my racing...

I raced Ontario 4/5 today, the heat was absolutely oppressive (I live by the beach and am not acclimated to hot weather). I noticed as soon as I got on the freeway driving out there my HR went up, I had a lot on my mind and haven't really been training or racing as much lately. The last time I did Ontario I felt amazing and had really high hopes. My last race was Dana Point and it was my first 4 race, I got shelled out the back but felt ok because of how fast the race was.

As soon as I started warming up today I felt terrible, my legs felt fatigued, my HR was high and I wasn't motivated. By the time the race started I felt no better and I quickly ended up at the back of the peloton, could barely breath and even though my legs felt like they had the gas to attack, my lungs didn't. After 20 minutes my HR was at 95-98% and I was falling off the peloton, I pulled out embarrassed and frustrated.

Once I sat down I instantly started to feel better aside from some sore lungs, two races, I figured then that a lot of it had to do with stress/anxiety. Two times getting dropped in a row, I honestly felt like I wanted to quit. I don't know what's going on, if it was the anxiety from my two crashes mixed with the heat but I felt terrible. Before Dana Point I never worried about getting dropped from a crit, and now I've had two in a row.

Have you guys been in this situation where you hit a point in the season where you feel weaker and your performance drops? What do you guys do in this situation... because right now I'm feeling pretty down on racing.

Take some time off. Ride for fun instead of training for a little while and you should come around.

You're getting a new bike soon, think you deserve it now?

That always got me riding harder ;)

(Have you been eating/hydrating well lately?)

You sound impatient, Nick. There's only one winner in each race. So maybe you need to stop worrying so much about results and learn from the process. Would it work better for you if you considered racing more like an apprenticeship instead of always being about your results?

You sound impatient, Nick. There's only one winner in each race. So maybe you need to stop worrying so much about results and learn from the process. Would it work better for you if you considered racing more like an apprenticeship instead of always being about your results?

It's not so much about the position I'm more frustrated about falling off the back and not finishing at all... just in this last race have even considered attempting at a top 10 placing but now it seems like back to the drawing board at just staying in the pack. I'm not saying I'm not a bit impatient but I'm just a bit surprised to see my fitness appearing to go backwards suddenly.

As far as hydration and eating, I've been eating a little less because I feel like I've put on some weight but I also haven't been training as hard lately between the two crashes and a cold last month that hung on.

Take break from racing. Nobody says you have to race.

I raced Ontario 4/5 today, the heat was absolutely oppressive (I live by the beach and am not acclimated to hot weather). I noticed as soon as I got on the freeway driving out there my HR went up, I had a lot on my mind and haven't really been training or racing as much lately. The last time I did Ontario I felt amazing and had really high hopes. My last race was Dana Point and it was my first 4 race, I got shelled out the back but felt ok because of how fast the race was.

As soon as I started warming up today I felt terrible, my legs felt fatigued, my HR was high and I wasn't motivated. By the time the race started I felt no better and I quickly ended up at the back of the peloton, could barely breath and even though my legs felt like they had the gas to attack, my lungs didn't. After 20 minutes my HR was at 95-98% and I was falling off the peloton, I pulled out embarrassed and frustrated.

Once I sat down I instantly started to feel better aside from some sore lungs, two races, I figured then that a lot of it had to do with stress/anxiety. Two times getting dropped in a row, I honestly felt like I wanted to quit. I don't know what's going on, if it was the anxiety from my two crashes mixed with the heat but I felt terrible. Before Dana Point I never worried about getting dropped from a crit, and now I've had two in a row.

Have you guys been in this situation where you hit a point in the season where you feel weaker and your performance drops? What do you guys do in this situation... because right now I'm feeling pretty down on racing.

I saw you at registration talking to Irma after you dropped out. I was going to give you the pep talk and tell you not to worry and remember that you were getting a new bike, blah, blah, blah.. Anyways I was a little behind schedule and a little nervous for my race which is unusual (the nervousness, not being a little late),and I didn't want to get into too long of a conversation so I headed to the outhouse. Anyways, chin up and don't worry about it. Sometimes you just have to suffer a little more in the heat. I love the heat, but not many do.

It took me a while after riding after my crash to be able to handle riding in a faster pack, but more so finding the draft.

Train harder, give your body a rest if you need it. I'm weaker than I was last week because of finals and work, but life gets in the way sometimes. Just keep getting out there and staying on, and you'll get there.

Ride with hard groups when you can't race. Keep working hard and stay honest.

This is still your first year racing, there's nothing wrong with not meeting your goals yet.

I saw you at registration talking to Irma after you dropped out. I was going to give you the pep talk and tell you not to worry and remember that you were getting a new bike, blah, blah, blah.. Anyways I was a little behind schedule and a little nervous for my race which is unusual (the nervousness, not being a little late),and I didn't want to get into too long of a conversation so I headed to the outhouse. Anyways, chin up and don't worry about it. Sometimes you just have to suffer a little more in the heat. I love the heat, but not many do.

Hey it's the thought that counts lol, man I wish I knew who you were, what team do you race for? As far as the heat goes, no matter what it's always made me feel like death.

I think I'm been focusing a lot on my new bike and getting that set up and not really thinking about racing. Anywho thanks for all the positive words, I just kinda left Ontario today feeling like I was going backwards in my progress.

On another note, DID ANY OF YOU SO-CAL PPL FEEL THAT QUAKE JUST NOW?!?! THAT **** WAS BANANAS!

I wouldnt worry about it. I upgraded to 4's this year too. First race I was pulled, next race I felt good and finished in the pack. Ive since had 4 top 10's, and only a limiter is keeping me from the podium. Id say train smarter and race smarter, dont waste time or energy. When you are fit enough you can start thinking about strategy and placings.

I got shelled three races in a row at SuperWeek last year.

I only finished 5 of the 9 races I did in the series. I think my best placing was in the 40s (although there were always 120+ starters).

Then I realized that the people I was competing against get paid to ride their bikes, people had come from all over the country to do these races, and that I'm still relatively new to the game.

Sure, it can be discouraging...but, from what I've read about your riding prior to this thread, you were making good progress...chill a bit...all will be well...

You can get used to the heat. Ride in the heat, and don't use the AC in your car and house.

:)

You can get used to the heat. Ride in the heat, and don't use the AC in your car and house.

That's what I did actually drove out there with the windows down, the air quality was TERRIBLE though.

Anywho I'll be working different hours this summer so I'll be training in Burbank/Pasadena from 5:30-9ish at night and in that town it can still easily be 100 degrees at that time, so I'll be getting my fair share of heat training.

Hey it's the thought that counts lol, man I wish I knew who you were, what team do you race for? As far as the heat goes, no matter what it's always made me feel like death.

I race for SC Velo. I was getting my number when you were asking Irma for your keys and talking about the heat. EricM and Duke of Kent both bring up good points. I think I race well in the heat and wind because I train in it.

I race for SC Velo. I was getting my number when you were asking Irma for your keys and talking about the heat. EricM and Duke of Kent both bring up good points. I think I race well in the heat and wind because I train in it.

Oh that's you?! It looked like you were about to say something lol. How'd your race go?

Oh that's you?! It looked like you were about to say something lol. How'd your race go?

I got 2nd. Like Duke says, I got beat by a guy that gets paid to race his bike. Oh, he's USPRO Crit. Champ too.

I got 2nd. Like Duke says, I got beat by a guy that gets paid to race his bike. Oh, he's USPRO Crit. Champ too.

Oh man congrats, Bahatti is a monster.

Nick, that sounds like how my year went last year. I had just moved into the 4s and did "ok" (read:not dropped) for a few races early in the season and then was just shelled constantly, race after race. I took some time off of racing, went back to just "riding a lot" and did about 1 race a month. Somewhere around July my form really started falling in place and I was doing really well in Sisquoc until my teammate crashed in front of me and then won San Ardo (ok, the "B" field) in August. If you aren't feeling it you just need to pull back a bit until you start frothing at the mouth to get back out there again.

Also, regarding the heat, I generally do pretty well in the heat but there is always a period of readjustment each year when it heats up again. Usually it heats up gradually but it has been really freaky this year. It was 60 then it was suddenly 80 and then 60 again and this weekend was like 90-100 depending on where were. Last week was pretty cool here but the week before was 100 in the day and 90 at night, which fueled the fire. The sudden changes have made it harder for me to adjust this year.

Nick, that sounds like how my year went last year. I had just moved into the 4s and did "ok" (read:not dropped) for a few races early in the season and then was just shelled constantly, race after race. I took some time off of racing, went back to just "riding a lot" and did about 1 race a month. Somewhere around July my form really started falling in place and I was doing really well in Sisquoc until my teammate crashed in front of me and then won San Ardo (ok, the "B" field) in August. If you aren't feeling it you just need to pull back a bit until you start frothing at the mouth to get back out there again.

Also, regarding the heat, I generally do pretty well in the heat but there is always a period of readjustment each year when it heats up again. Usually it heats up gradually but it has been really freaky this year. It was 60 then it was suddenly 80 and then 60 again and this weekend was like 90-100 depending on where were. Last week was pretty cool here but the week before was 100 in the day and 90 at night, which fueled the fire. The sudden changes have made it harder for me to adjust this year.

Cool man, I've been racing considerably last this month and last but haven't been motivated to get back out there though... it's weird I think it has a lot to do with the crashing. After Dana I just wasn't feeling racing, I'm going to race next weekend and if it's the same thing I'll step back and just ride more. As far as the heat goes I'd say this is the hottest weather I've ever ridden hard in.

Oh man congrats, Bahatti is a monster.

He's not a monster, he just sprints faster than me. He's a good friend too and I was really impressed that he went pretty much pull for pull with us in the break and chased me down twice (he had a little help the 2nd time).

He's not a monster, he just sprints faster than me. He's a good friend too and I was really impressed that he went pretty much pull for pull with us in the break and chased me down twice (he had a little help the 2nd time).

Yah I hear he's not exactly the strongest overall rider. Watching him win MBGP last summer when i was off the bike due to some bizarre medical issues that turned out to be nothing is what got me motivated to want to race, so I always enjoy watching him.

Yah I hear he's not exactly the strongest overall rider. Watching him win MBGP last summer when i was off the bike due to some bizarre medical issues that turned out to be nothing is what got me motivated to want to race, so I always enjoy watching him.


He was impressive today. And he's always fast as hell.

He's not a monster, he just sprints faster than me. He's a good friend too and I was really impressed that he went pretty much pull for pull with us in the break and chased me down twice (he had a little help the 2nd time).

I'm scared to even ask how much you guys put out in a sprint!

He was impressive today. And he's always fast as hell.

If he's so fast and consistent why doesn't he try and ride more road races, it seems like rock just passes him up for their main squad.

I'm scared to even ask how much you guys put out in a sprint!

I'm not a sprinter. That's why I ride the break. I tried to sprint today, because my teammate that was in the break with me had some problems. I didn't think I could beat Bahati, but I had to try. I had attacked him a couple of times, but once we lapped the group other guys were unknowingly helping him (they didn't realize we had a lap and they chased me).

We all have bad days fauxto. I got dropped and DNF'd my race yesterday. First time I got dropped and DNF'd in two years and it was very humbling. Take a couple rest days, then get back to training.

Nick!

Dana point was a b1tch huh... it shaked my riding confidence CONSIDERABLY

I was nervous about brea old course two Sundays ago. I got a flat tire warming up 5 minute before the race a quarter mile from my car so i sprinted back, put my spare on and rode to the line. Right when I got there they blew the whistle. I forgot my water bottle and it was HOT. I was super shaken up and everyone could tell from my first few shakey corners but I settled down and finished in the pack very dehydrated. It was a terrible race for me but I hung in there. My only advice is no one is expecting you to win, no one is paying you to win. If you do win that's awesome but if you win and don't have fun doing it then it was a waste of your time. When I don't feel like racing I will skip a week. I skipped ontario on purpose because it was a 4/5 and i didn't want to chance a crash with the shakey fives and I knew that would be on my mind the whole race.

I was JUST like you, taking this whole thing way to seriously. once i figured out bike racing wasn't going anywhere and I would probably do it on and off for most of my life the stress melted away.

^

I also agree. Take some time off from training and racing until you REALLY want to do it again. That should help.

If he's so fast and consistent why doesn't he try and ride more road races, it seems like rock just passes him up for their main squad.

There is a difference between being fast, and being strong.

Fast is great for the track and crits. Strong gets you over mountains and through crosswinds with the lead group. Bahaati isn't there yet.

Have you guys been in this situation where you hit a point in the season where you feel weaker and your performance drops? What do you guys do in this situation... because right now I'm feeling pretty down on racing.

yes. you mention hot weather. I suck in the heat, sucks all the life out of me.

everyone has races that dont go their way and leave them frustrated, most of us are competitive people who participate in this sport for that reason. that's why we sacrifice other areas of our lives for it, get up at 4 a.m. to train, ride the indoor trainer for hours while staring at the TV, etc. when you pour yourself into training and racing, and have disappointing outcomes, it definitely stings. it's how you react to the disappointment that defines who you are.

yes. you mention hot weather. I suck in the heat, sucks all the life out of me.

everyone has races that dont go their way and leave them frustrated, most of us are competitive people who participate in this sport for that reason. that's why we sacrifice other areas of our lives for it, get up at 4 a.m. to train, ride the indoor trainer for hours while staring at the TV, etc. when you pour yourself into training and racing, and have disappointing outcomes, it definitely stings. it's how you react to the disappointment that defines who you are.

Incredibly well said.

Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power.
-Rene Descartes.

Though I would add that, it is not only our thoughts, but also our actions who defines who we are.

We all have bad days fauxto. I got dropped and DNF'd my race yesterday. First time I got dropped and DNF'd in two years and it was very humbling. Take a couple rest days, then get back to training.

If it was Silverton, lots of people got dropped and DNF'ed the race. It wasn't my day either. Just out of curiosity, what category are you? We might have been racing together. I was in the 3's.

If it was Silverton, lots of people got dropped and DNF'ed the race. It wasn't my day either. Just out of curiosity, what category are you? We might have been racing together. I was in the 3's.

He raced the P/1/2. So did I.

I was the first DNF of the day, as some jackass in the morning races decided not to close his safety pin, or doesn't know how to rig a pin/number correctly so even if they DO open, they don't come out. And as a result, I took a safety pin through my rear tire about a mile into the race. No wheels in the wheel truck, no neutral support. A short, miserable ride back to the S/F.

While that was much warmer than it has been recently, that was hardly hot. And it was like 0% humidity.

yes. you mention hot weather. I suck in the heat, sucks all the life out of me.

everyone has races that dont go their way and leave them frustrated, most of us are competitive people who participate in this sport for that reason. that's why we sacrifice other areas of our lives for it, get up at 4 a.m. to train, ride the indoor trainer for hours while staring at the TV, etc. when you pour yourself into training and racing, and have disappointing outcomes, it definitely stings. it's how you react to the disappointment that defines who you are.

One of the more useful posts I've seen on this board in a long time. Well put.

I was affecting the outcome of Cat 5 races regularly so I upgraded to the 4's. I have not seen a group finish yet. No biggie. I will work harder and be affecting the outcome of cat 4 races next season. 2010 is MINE! (and by mine I mean I intend to be pack fodder and go home happy)

Hey Nick - I second what a lot of people said about taking time off. Last year after catting up to 2 I was kind of burned out on racing by late July - it showed since I got dropped in a couple races and wasn't really enjoying myself. So I took a few weeks off riding entirely - my plan was not to race again until 2009. But after I got back on the bike I realized that I felt great and was ready to race again by the end of August. I had a lot of fun in the late-season races.

This season was different since I did a poor job training in the off season and pretty much fizzled out of the gate. I sucked horribly in the early season races and got so demoralized that I quit racing for a couple months. Now I am finally getting back to seriously training and I am going to do a few races in the upcoming months with a very laidback attitude, what Bikesnobnyc calls "pass/fail racing." If you really enjoy the sport, you'll get back into it eventually even if it's just as packfodder. That's what I've learned over the past few months.

Hey Nick - I second what a lot of people said about taking time off. Last year after catting up to 2 I was kind of burned out on racing by late July - it showed since I got dropped in a couple races and wasn't really enjoying myself. So I took a few weeks off riding entirely - my plan was not to race again until 2009. But after I got back on the bike I realized that I felt great and was ready to race again by the end of August. I had a lot of fun in the late-season races.

This season was different since I did a poor job training in the off season and pretty much fizzled out of the gate. I sucked horribly in the early season races and got so demoralized that I quit racing for a couple months. Now I am finally getting back to seriously training and I am going to do a few races in the upcoming months with a very laidback attitude, what Bikesnobnyc calls "pass/fail racing." If you really enjoy the sport, you'll get back into it eventually even if it's just as packfodder. That's what I've learned over the past few months.

I was wondering where you've been.

I've spent a month or more getting over being sick and it's made me really weak in my riding. For myself I've just been taking it easy, going on rides just for fun without any real dedication to feeling like I rode really strongly. I'm just trying to enjoy being out at this point, and it's working more and more. I'm getting my strength back and you will too, it just takes time unfortunately.


Off-topic: Did you just recently get an upgrade umd? Congrats if you did, i missed the notice haha

Hey Nick, couple of things. How have you been sleeping? If you've had several nights of bad sleep then you might be surprised by how much that will effect your fitness. Sleep is really really important. Had any low grade fevers? Even a mild infection can really sap your strength. Is your training intensity to high? Even if you haven't been training a lot, to much intensity can have a negative effect on on your fitness. Have you had a break this season? If not you might consider walking away from the bike for a week or even two just to get your body rested.

He raced the P/1/2. So did I.

I was the first DNF of the day, as some jackass in the morning races decided not to close his safety pin, or doesn't know how to rig a pin/number correctly so even if they DO open, they don't come out. And as a result, I took a safety pin through my rear tire about a mile into the race. No wheels in the wheel truck, no neutral support. A short, miserable ride back to the S/F.

While that was much warmer than it has been recently, that was hardly hot. And it was like 0% humidity.

Yep -I raced P12. But unlike DoK I didn't have a mechanical, I just didn't have the power to keep up on the climbs. It wasn't the heat or the distance (I got dropped 20 miles or so in), or anything else. Just a lack of power and endurance. It was a hard race as evidenced by the fact that the main pack was down to about 30 riders, plus another 4-6 off the front out of 81 starters when I popped. Although I DNF'd and many that were dropped before I was continued on to finish the race.

Edit: obra3 was also in that race, and I'm pretty sure he was still in the pack when I was dropped.

Off-topic: Did you just recently get an upgrade umd? Congrats if you did, i missed the notice haha

Yes, I upgraded about 2 months ago to the 3s, and getting my ass kicked. Not completely unexpected, but I'm doing better now in the 3s than I was at this time last year in the 4s.

Talking about getting down on my racing, after I was decimated at the state championships last May I was just about ready to throw in the towel. I expect a similar fate in this year's race.

Decimation builds character. I know first hand. :D

i'm hoping the cyclocross and the beer will ease the stress of racing this fall.

i'm hoping the cyclocross and the beer will ease the stress of racing this fall.

This fall I think I'm going to focus mostly on riding long rides 3 max 4 days a week, doing centuries often on the weekend and build up a huge aerobic base and then also focus a lot of yoga. I might even go back to doing some rock climbing again, but I doubt I will... I hate that this sport has decimated the ape **** core I used to have from climbing.

There is a difference between being fast, and being strong.

Fast is great for the track and crits. Strong gets you over mountains and through crosswinds with the lead group. Bahaati isn't there yet.

It's funny. I've had this conversation with Bahati during training. He's working on it more than he has before and he's climbing more than ever. A couple of weeks ago, he did Devil's Punchbowl a race with a lot of climbing and he rode great for 3 laps. Unfortunately, the race was 5 laps. I told Rahsaan the third time up the climb, when Floyd was on my left and he was on my right, that he was riding good. At that point his confidence was shrinking. At the race this past weekend, we were going pretty dang fast in the heat and crosswinds/headwind and Bahati was going pull for pull with us until he figured out that my teammate and I were trying not to lap the group so we could isolate him. We rode a couple of local Cat 1s, that do well in NRC races, right out of the break and Bahati stayed right with us. He will probably never be a "climber", but he is riding "stronger" than I have ever seen him ride.

The past few weeks I was starting to feel the same way. Did "OK" in a very hot 5's race but dropped quickly in the 4/5 right after. Wasn't feeling great on the fast group rides. Catted up to 4 anyway. Then, I was dropped within 2 laps of my first race as a 4 (3/4 race). Took the rest of last week completely off. Even when I thought maybe I should do something, I did nothing. Monday rolled around, did some leg openers. Raced last night, 4/5 - pack finish, 3/4 - pack finish, with gas left in the tank. Sometimes, you need that break, mentally & physically.

This fall I think I'm going to focus mostly on riding long rides 3 max 4 days a week, doing centuries often on the weekend and build up a huge aerobic base and then also focus a lot of yoga. I might even go back to doing some rock climbing again, but I doubt I will... I hate that this sport has decimated the ape **** core I used to have from climbing.

Rock climbing might actually help your cycling.

A common mistake is going too hard in training. Leads to mental and physical fatigue, and maybe that's part of what you're experiencing. Schedule two hard days a week with two or three days in between. Keep it short, like half an hour or an hour, but do intervals of various flavors and go so hard your eyeballs bleed. Rest of the time, challenge yourself with terrain and distance but not effort...keep it medium-hard. Take as many rest days as you think you need. Race often.

Hang in there and good luck.

BL