Masters Racing (All Disciplines) - Fat Brit

So, injury has curtailed this 57 year-old debutant's first season as a bike racer. I'll be fit to compete before the season is over, but for various reasons my opportunities for racing will be limited, so I've been reflecting on what I've learned so far.

First, there's a big difference between being fit, and being race fit. Most of the time I have been in the races, but not really racing. I'm too near my ceiling just hanging with the bunch, and don't have the headroom to initiate anything or, often, to respond to the decisive moves.

Second, (and this is an extension of the first one) I'm FAT. Having got back into cycling, lost about 30lbs, and with a BMI of 25 become reasonably lean and fit compared with most of my age group, I got complacent about the weight and let it stall, settling at just over the 200lb mark. I have, belatedly, got below that, but at my current weight I'm 20% fat, and that simply isn't going to cut it when I already know I don't have power to burn. It's tough enough competing with the youngsters without giving them weight.

Third, my bike-handling still needs work. I'm not a bad bike-handler, but I'd got used to doing things at my own pace, and that's just not how it works in a race. I'm not comfortable enough with contact and I need to be more assertive in maintaining my position.

Knowing all this, and knowing how demanding it will be to address these issues, the question is whether I care enough to put in the necessary work? And the answer is yes, I do. Not because I will be left unfulfilled if I never win a race, but because I'd like to be as good as I can be; and racing, and training for racing, give a focus to and benchmark for that desire. And there's no denying that racing is exhilarating, and exhilaration is good for the middle-aged. Finally, I'd like to have go at time-trialling, it seems possible that it will suit me.

So I'm focussing on next season. It seems to me it isn't too early to do that, and to put together a robust training and nutrition plan that will ensure I get to next March, and the beginning of the new season, in decidedly better shape than I started this one. I'm optimistic. Knowing, now, what is required, and knowing that I'm close to being competitive despite having done so much wrong this time around, gives me hope.

I'll use this thread to record my progress, and maybe solicit some advice from time to time. Giving myself an obligation to post here will keep me honest during the winter days when having another beer might seem preferable to doing some intervals. LOL

Sounds like you have a great understanding of what it's all about and what you want from it, Chasm. Enjoy the journey.

And on the TT front, a guy that joined us yesterday for a post-race beer under our pop-up (one of our guys brings a generator and huge fan, and we are now pushing for a mister) is 60+ and clocked a 42:58 30K. That's almost 5' faster than the winning 55+ time, and I think he was top 5 overall. Outstanding, and a prime example of how to set age aside and just compete to win.

Thanks, AZT, I can't promise much, but I can promise to enjoy it.



And on the TT front, a guy that joined us yesterday for a post-race beer under our pop-up (one of our guys brings a generator and huge fan, and we are now pushing for a mister) is 60+ and clocked a 42:58 30K.

That would give him a long 56 for 40k, if he could hold the pace. Not bad for an old fart, to quote your esteemed coach. And confirms that we aren't being ridiculously ambitious in planning to celebrate our 60th birthdays by doing sub-60 minute 40ks.

I must admit though, that I wanted to throw him out of the tent on his non-existent butt when he told us his time. I think he is about 4' tall and weighs 80 pounds.

Think I'll just cut and past your whole post onto my own! Only a few changes to weight and age. Can't wait to read the journey.

At 60 years and 265lbs i can't do 15mph average. My no drop group dropped me and gave me directions back to the start on a 32 mile ride. Heat index was about 100 degrees. The only thing i proved was my heart won't blow up at 166 bpm. The only things i can say to myself are "intervals", "yoga" and quit eating peanuts. NO fig-newtons! And eat fresh fruit.

You will have a lot of fun with this. Timed events are a discipline in themselves.

Enjoy the journey, chasm.

The Master's sample workout in the Training and Racing with a Power Meter 2nd Edition book is a great place to start if you don't have anything more specific. It's an FTP improvement program that will benefit all types of racing. I've been using it for the past two years during January-March. I taper off of it once racing starts in March.

Thanks, shovel, I'll take a look at it.

I've been re-reading Friel and considering what I need to do. I want to be in shape to race in our local Spring series in March. In the first place I have plenty of time to prepare, and in the second, the early season races offer some opportunities because not everyone is dedicated enough to train as they should in our damp, chilly, January and February weather, and I might catch some people cold.

Obviously, the priority is to shift the excess weight and to do so before I need to be in the most intensive periods of training. So that's step one. I weigh 197 today (progress!) and intend to be 180 by Christmas. That's only 1lb per week, should be do-able.

Because of the shoulder I have had a pretty easy month, despite the work on the stationary bike. And although I have a big endurance base, I'm not going to skimp on preparation or on base miles. So I think I'm now going into an extended preparation phase, riding enough but focusing also on strength training and cross-training, for the next six weeks or so. Then from early October I'll move into Base 1, and spend the full twelve weeks in the three base phases before building through January and February. And in accordance with Friel's advice for masters, once I've completed the base periods I'll scale back on the endurance stuff and concentrate on muscular endurance and power, with a particular focus on TT efforts.

Comments welcome, as always.

Chasm54,

It takes both fitness and skills to race. Make sure that you are adding some skills into your training plan. Being comfortable riding within a pack or nailing turns saves mental and physical energy that is needed for other things during a race. Riding rollers, a cross bike or MTB in muddy conditions or with buddies riding crits in cemeteries will help develop those skills.

I discovered in my first season of racing that it took all my energy an attention to just stay with the pack (only a few times). My second season was much better as I was able to ride comfortably and have something left for the good stuff at the end of races.

Best of luck and I'll be monitoring you pages.:thumb:

Well, I've been having fun starting an extended preparation phase before going back into Base 1 at the start of October. Just mixing it up, running, strength training, doing whatever I feel like on the bike and, most of all, making sure I drop some weight. It feels like an indulgence, but a productive one. I feel healthy.

And today was my biggest day back on the bike since recovering from the shoulder injury. (Off-topic, my insurance company tells me that the driver has admitted liability, so there may shortly come a time when I'm in the market for a new bike!) An ex-colleague of mine was going out for a ride and I went with her. She isn't as quick as me so that was about 40 miles at pretty much recovery pace for me, but when I left her I ramped the pace up a bit, did around 25 miles at tempo and finished off with a 20k TT effort twice round a 10k circuit that I've scoped out for myself a few miles from home. Desperately slow at close to 36' for the 20k, but I am recovering from injury and I had already ridden close to 70 miles before I started, so I'll forgive myself for that and go faster next time.

I'm pretty much toasted now, but feeling very good. There's nothing quite like that feeling of slight effervescence in the legs, don't you think?

Well into base training again, and just back from one of the biannual Spanish training camps for junior racers at which I help out. A great experience, as usual; very talented and enthusiastic kids and a nice mix of adults - the two coaches who organise the camp and a bunch of parents who have come along for the ride. The latter worked out very well for me. All the adults had brought their bikes but some of them are not serious cyclists, so I got the chance to alternate hard days with the kids with easy days leading some of their parents on what were moderately testing rides for them but recovery rides for me. Ideal, and a total of about 30 hours on the bike spread over ten days.

I've been doing a lot of different stuff in training, not all of it on the bike. The course of physiotherapy following my shoulder injury ended only four weeks ago, so I've had an extended period of more systematic upper-body work than I wouod normally do. I'm going to continue that, with an emphasis on bodyweight core exercises. I also intend to keep up the running, at least until towards the end of base training. I feel stronger for it, it's very time-effective in terms of aerobic gains from short workouts and I have a theory that it's a good thing to work on the leg muscles that aren't fully engaged on the bike. Anyway, I find I quite like it. And just to complete the eccentricity of my off-season training regimen, at the end of September I hiked the West Highland Way (http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/home.asp) with a couple of old friends. Ninety-six miles on foot over six days through some of the most beautiful scenery the UK has to offer, with beer and hilarity thrown in. It didn't even rain much, which in Western Scotland is notable in itself.

Now another month of base before I start getting serious. In early December I'm going back to Spain, this time to stay for a full three months so I can spend our winter doing warm-weather training. It should be interesting - a chance to improve my Spanish beyond the merely transactional, for a start - and come the start of our racing season in March I will have no possible excuse for not being in top shape.

I have absolutely no idea how I ever made time to hold down a job. LOL

I have absolutely no idea how I ever made time to hold down a job. LOL

Same here. I'm actually considering taking a full time job just to make the days and weeks slow down somewhat (see: Dunbar in Catch 22 (http://thescattering.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/boredom-makes-you-live-longer-dunbar-catch-22/)).

Don't get too wrapped up about weight (worrying about a kg or two) if you're not doing a lot of uphill rides and races; but at our age(s) it is good to keep the BF% down from a health perspective, especially if you're running.

Enjoyed the read.

I'm actually considering taking a full time job just to make the days and weeks slow down somewhat (see: Dunbar in Catch 22 (http://thescattering.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/boredom-makes-you-live-longer-dunbar-catch-22/)).

I've always loved that philosophy. Of course, time also goes more slowly when you are young, because each day is a greater percentage of the life you have lived. We can't go back to our youth, so Dunbar seems to have the only available approach to stretching things out.

We can't go back to our youth

EPO, testosterone,coke, hookers and booze. The Pantani method.

EPO, testosterone,coke, hookers and booze. The Pantani method.

Don't forget shaving your head. Major aerodynamic gains.

Spending some time in Spain training and learning Spanish sounds wonderful.

Spending some time in Spain training and learning Spanish sounds wonderful.

I thought so, too. The crash has made it extremely economical. Spain's financial crisis has nothing to do with Government profligacy, the Spaniards were the only country in the Eurozone, including the Germans, to strictly obey the rules about borrowing. The problem was entirely about a bank-financed property bubble, and the aftermath is a massive oversupply of recently-built homes. As a result it is possible to rent quite nice places for peanuts. The apartment I am using will cost me less in rent than I would have spent heating my place in the UK. Ridiculous, really.

I've always wanted to visit Spain... sounds like I should make it happen.

I'm sure I could talk my wife into it...

Back from Spain last week, and straight into the first race of the season today. Cat 4 circuit race, about 30 starters, 1.8km/1.125m circuit. Not an ideal course for me, with a nasty kick up about half way round and a 300m drag up to the finish line. Plus this is easily the most potent Cat4 field I have encountered, with a bunch of strong time trialists and a couple of known cross racers who have decided to go road racing this year and are in this category only because they haven't had any opportunity to acquire British Cycling points on the road.

So, plenty of reasons why a podium finish might be a challenge. Nonetheless, I am in much better shape than I was this time last year so I expect to be able to sit in with the pack and see what emerges as some of the less experienced newcomers go off the back.

What follows is a chastening experience. As usual, everyone goes hell-for-leather from the start, but that's fine, I'm near the front of the group and all is good. The first attack comes half way around the first lap as we hit the sharp climb. As I'd expect, I lose some places there but there are plenty of wheels to latch onto so I'm not concerned, and I make up some of those places on the run down to the bottom of the finishing straight. Still comfortably in touch at the top of the long drag to the finish line.

Lap two, a repeat of the first with the addition that a rider I haven't seen before, probably a newcomer, hits his brakes in front of me approaching a turn, which doesn't help me, forcing me wide and nearly off. One match burned as I sprint to re-establish myself in the bunch and have to work hard to settle back in in the finishing straight. Similar story on lap three, and lap four. By this time the attacks on the short climb are putting me in serious trouble, and when on lap 5 a few of the strongest decide to hit it even harder the field starts to fragment. Effectively the rest of my race is a supra-threshold training ride with a couple of fellow-sufferers.

So what do we learn? Not much that we didn't know already. Need to do more speed work, need to continue losing weight. C'est la guerre.

Good job, Chas! You learned something somewhere, because it seems you rode a smart race. You can't help what lunacy another rider may display, but you certainly can mitigate it. And you did! What you need to do to improve resonates with me, we're in the same boat. Congrats on a good race!

Nice job Chas.

Might I suggest a modification to the thread title...........seems things have changed. :D

Hi, I find it almost impossible to stress my body in training the way I stress it in a race. Sounds like you got a great racing workout and learned a few things too. Looking forward to hearing the next report from across the pond.

Great racing.

Nice job Chas.

Might I suggest a modification to the thread title...........seems things have changed. :D

Not enough. My transformation from frog to prince is going to take a while, I'm afraid. But progress is progress.

I've signed up for our League of Veteran Racing Cyclists, too. So this year I can get the crap kicked out of me by the fast old guys as well as the fast young guys.

Well, here's hoping the princess doesn't tarry too long.

Great effort - way to hang in there!

League of Veteran Racing Cyclists

Cooler name than anything we have over here.

I must admit though, that I wanted to throw him out of the tent on his non-existent butt when he told us his time. I think he is about 4' tall and weighs 80 pounds.

We ahev one of those who rides with us: 80 years old and nothing of him, and he thrashes all of us 65-75 youngsters.

Some of you will remember that earlier in the year I agreed to sponsor a youth racing team. We're well on the way to getting established, and this weekend we took a squad of three teams to our first national-level event, the youth Tour of Scotland. This is a three-day event with four stages, a RR, a crit, an individual TT and a "kermesse race" - short course with a serious climb and some gravel/dirt sections.

So two boys' teams of four riders each, classification "youth A" - riders aged 14 and 15 years. Plus one girls' team of three, classification "youth A and B" - age range 12-15 inclusive. We didn't have a huge amount of hope, because only two of our riders have any real experience at national level, and the field includes some of the very best in Britain; plus Cycling Ireland have sent over their best youth riders.

However, we had a terrific time. Some good results, some bad. Our strongest riders, girl and boy, were both in contention for top six GC finishes until the final race. The girl blew it when crashing out on the kermesse course - she got back on and finished, but her chance was gone - and the boy was right in contention until puncturing late in the race. But we're doing something right as far as teamwork is concerned, because one of our other riders immediately jumped off and gave him his bike to limit the damage. Ended up eleventh out of 70-odd in GC, but hey - it's early days.

This whole thing was a great experience. Great bunch of kids, their enthusiasm is infectious, and they are clearly already a team in their own minds. And the racing was absolutely fabulous. You'd wait a long time to see pro races with half as much entertainment value and unreserved commitment. This is going to be fun, even if from time to time I thought it would be easier to be riding than managing...

Wow, that sounds like great progress in a very short time.

Wow, that sounds like great progress in a very short time.

Yeah, well my friend has been coaching a number of these kids for a while, so we aren't completely starting from scratch. More a matter of bringing together a group of individuals who have previously been isolated in clubs without a racing focus, and turning them into a team, supporting them with entries to national events and so on. It'll take a while - the spread of ability is pretty wide at the moment - but we'll get there. I'd like to make a point of attracting new riders into the sport, especially girls.

But we're doing something right as far as teamwork is concerned, because one of our other riders immediately jumped off and gave him his bike to limit the damage. Ended up eleventh out of 70-odd in GC, but hey - it's early days....

:thumb: Bodes well for the future of the teams, and good to see kids of that age putting the team before their own chances.

I used to coach squash and the big problem we had was keeping juniors beyond their late teens for several reasons: motivating them when they realised they couldn't win every match; they discovered the opposite sex; they discovered alcohol. Good luck!

Helping others achieve success can be more rewarding than your own. Congrats Chasm!

Chas, what a great story! I love hearing about sportsmanship, especially these days when the "all about me" mindset seems to dominate youth culture. You've done a great job with those kids, and I think great results are a given. Congratulations!

Hi, I find it almost impossible to stress my body in training the way I stress it in a race. Sounds like you got a great racing workout and learned a few things too. Looking forward to hearing the next report from across the pond.

Me too. With the exception of max power. Usually my best numbers come from specific sprint workouts; there's just no way I can generate the sheer power at the end of a race or even a race ride. If I hit 95% of that though, I'm pretty happy.

Re Spain: My wife and I were so enamored of Spain (Galicia in particular) that we named our daughter for the little town where we stayed.