Note : Current Thoughts
We are just about to hit the next block for a lot of the squad. De-load is in progress for some. It’s race week for others. For a few we are calling it Base Week.
This is a note from the coach with a few thoughts to consider in your training.
Getting the Work In
If you are just hitting the main 3 month block for a big race like maybe Port Mac or Kona then all eyes should be on getting the work in. This is the first of the building blocks and what most athletes and coaches talk about when it comes to training….. getting the km in. For that to happen you have to make sure you and your people around you are ready. Let those close to you know what that looks like. Show them your passion for it and then back passion. up with action.
Weekend Endurance
One of the biggest changes I see in race preparation for all distances is the weekend endurance sessions becoming “sessions”. They are long but not too long and they have some structure. They are developing what I call specific endurance. They are your chance to practice everything. Nutrition (pre, during, post), pacing, riding with confidence in aero, equipment testing. Put simply, these sessions have come full circle from passive volume building to active training for the distance with intent. To get the best out of yourself make sure you setup any weekend sessions with these things in mind.
Mid Week Road Riding
Riding mid-week on the road is making a bit of a comeback. If you have trainer fatigue then getting out on the road is a great idea. Great news here is I am seeing athletes still using the structured session that I have put in Training Peaks and having it come through their Head Units on their bikes. This is a great chance to develop higher power and enhance your skills on the road and over varying terrains.
RPE Matters
With all the numbers we have at our fingertips, developing a feel for intensity and pace is still a critical skill. Quite often in training I will play a game of guessing my heart rate, pace or speed before I look at the screen. Having the inner sense of what your body is doing is just a good way of executing come race day. We saw this recently at Challenge Roth. Alanis Siffert spoke about just racing the race and trusting what she was feeling as the numbers popping out on race day were numbers she wasnt expecting. She felt great so just went with that and won the race, destroying the highly regarded competition in the process. Maybe that can be you !
Feedback
How do you like it? Soft and fluffy or straight and direct? Feedback is one of the most crucial parts of the coach-athlete relationship. If you want it a certain way then ask. It’s that simple. Let’s work out what style works for you.
Cheers
Coach