More ACC help please - Cycling Weekly training Feature

[huw williams]

I've put this here instead of in 'Training' because it also involves riders who don't nescessarily 'train' as such.

The subject
"Is structured training boring" and if so at what point does it become boring.

I know of many riders who go purely on 'feel' because they find a training programme too restrictive and I know others who can't ride at all if they don't have some numbers to chase - be it heart rates, mileage, speeds or wattage. So who's right? At what point does riding become training and at what point does training become tedious? Can you train scientifically and still enjoy riding your bike?

Given the various training threads on this forum in the past I'm fully aware that this is akin to handing out a bunch of loaded weapons, but go ahead... fire off a few shots and have your say.
Give us some well-reasoned arguments either for or against and you'll get yourself and your views in the magazine.

Thanks in advance

H

[Ivor]

...click... bang.

Not boring... but I think it's completely impractical (for me) to fit a proper structured plan into a busy (commuting) working life with two young kids.

If I had a set training schedule/plan I just know that it would only take one or two (er or more) missed sessions for me to give up and scrap the whole plan. Instead I just try and squeeze in what I can when I can based on how I'm feeling, how busy I am, and what the weather's like.
I have a turbo to play with (also an excellent tool for checking the bike out following "tweaks") and tried out one or two example exercise sessions that I found initially, but since then have simply created my own mini blast sessions to be able to squeeze into the odd free gap in my evening routine.
As long as I don't feel like I'm staying still fitness wise, or going backwards (like I did after being off the bike following my winter crash series), then I'm comfortable with my approach. Perhaps it means I won't be as fast or competitive as I can be, but I enjoy every time I get out on the bike.

I have a couple of "benchmark climbs" that I use to decide how well I'm doing, if I can make it up Titsey hill in my 38" gear without stopping for a breather then I'm on form (managed it for the first time this year this month) - that's as structured as my training gets.

Cheers,
Ivor.

[quote="Huw"] "Is structured training boring"

[huw williams]

Cheers Andrew, you've excelled yourself... There's enough material there for an entire conference

[Andrew G]

I don't do conferences about structured training either.

[MJ_1993]

I think structured training, can make cycling a burden, as it is a set regime. In my view, I don't really like riding in a group larger than 4, because I am just weird. I have a HR monitor, and a Garmin, they are good but you cannot get obsessed with it. Its not the be all and end all. I think the type of training you prefer is reflective of your personality, I don't think just because pro X does structured training you should. The moment you have this idea of constantly hitting the training plan then cycling doesn't get enjoyable anymore. In the end, do what you like, whats interesting to you could be boring to me. Its like a religion with differing denominations I guess.

[adrian]

[img]http://www.gpsmagazine.com/assets/Taxi_Driver.jpg[/img]
Are you talking to me? Huh?

I'm not a particularly methodical person and my training, such as it is, reflects this.

In the last couple of years my riding goals have taken the form of sportives, so in the first half of the year I'll do whatever intuition tells me I need to do to get ready for these. That means anything that takes me out of my comfort zone - like Andrew, I find the Brighton-and-back-type rides with good riders ideal training as they're long, fairly hilly and reasonably fast. Most importantly, they're enjoyable - so I'm incentivised to come back for more.

By trial and error I've found what works for me given my particular time constraints. For example, I do quite well on a diet of short midweek sessions on the hilly loop between Dulwich and Crystal Palace (often in the company of a certain rider of an average persuasion) - which focus specifically on hill-climbing - combined with a long ride every couple of weeks if I have time. This format helps me stay fresh and motivated and minimises the aches and pains I would get from spending too long in the saddle, especially as I mix it up with running and gym work - weights, stretching, etc - which I do at home.

I'm open to new ideas, and have no doubt I'd benefit from a more scientific approach. Last year, for example, I made a speedy return to fitness after an accident by following a structured programme on Andrew's neglected turbo. But that was for a short time only and with a time-specific goal in mind - under normal circumstances, I'd prefer to keep enjoying my riding and let the improvements come about as a by-product.

[quote="Andrew G"]weapon cocked

[Ivor]

Does anyone else here jog/run as well as ride to keep on form?

[Dominic]

It's funny but since starting out with the chaingang on a Wednesday my training has become far more structured. That ride has become my priority as I feel it gives me the best results.

Monday I will do a hard ride to and from work.
Tuesday will be a recovery ride.
Wednesday will be a brisk ride to work and a recovery ride back home. Then it's the chaingang, balls to the wall, threshold training whatever you want to call it.
Thursday recovery
Friday same as Monday.

This is fairly fluid now dependent on racing commitments on a weekend.

I did use to be in the Andrew G camp of training but I have found the above much more productive. The faster I get and the better things seem to go I find myself wanting more structure as these are the rides that seem to produce the results. I measure results purely on TT racing performance which so far this year are about 2 minutes faster than last. My training is done on feel or RPE. I do have a HRM which I used a bit last year. I found it inhibiting as when I was going well I felt I was being held back by it. When I was going badly I just found it bloody depressing.

I am already thinking of other sessions I can do when the chaingangs stop on a Wednesday, probably Club 10s or maybe even Palace.

I am very tempted by a Powertap because of the progression I hear on the forum and because it is HR combined with power with the power figures being the most important.

The other thing I am quite tempted by is to do some testing to get some proper zones worked out, which would be useful if I got a coach.

[Will]

I can only bring myself to train when I have a goal to achieve. In the past goals have mostly been related to preparing for race seasons; more recently it has tended to be to improve my fitness to get as much as I can out of cycling holidays. The pressure of an event/deadline of some sort is usually enough to prompt me into action. If there isn't a target to motivate me, then I'm not inclined to do anything than just maybe try to push myself a bit when I'm out riding socially.

I imagine there is a great deal of interesting material around the psychology of training. Picking up on Marco's comments it would be fascinating to get contributions - and I'd argue for more than just a "short" section - from a sports psychologist.

I was intrigued while watching the track cycling championships by the comments from the team about Steve Peters, how he was key to helping them prepare, and how we had apparently got the likes of Pendleton to the point where she was so relaxed about the event that she had started to wonder whether she was too relaxed.

Getting in to a state of mind where the "can I do it?" question can be so easily answered - seemingly quite dismissively - must be so valuable in a training regime?

[Andrew G]

[quote]I was intrigued while watching the track cycling championships by the comments from the team about Steve Peters, how he was key to helping them prepare, and how we had apparently got the likes of Pendleton to the point where she was so relaxed about the event that she had started to wonder whether she was too relaxed.

[neilb]

Hi there, I know I'm bucking the trend here a little but my cycling needs all the help it can get...

I am following a structured training programme. Coming from a tri background (yes, rubbish at real cycling, I know ) I used a coach last year so I could peak for a few important races. It worked for me then, so am now following a new programme (written for me - not too expensive) to try and get me through the sportives I've entered with you guys which starts with the 3 day Tour of Wessex at the end of May.

The training programme is done on a week by week basis given to me at the beginning of a 4 week block. It's 3 weeks of build training, 1 week recovery week. Currently I have to ride about 12 hours a week including a 6+ hour ride, a 2 hour ride and some turbo and fixie stuff, swim an hour or two (to keep my hand in) and do core work. The recovery weeks cuts out the long ride. No specific speed work so am not currently riding quickly, which is a good excuse if ever I've heard one .

Apparently this is base building for me for the longer rides, then later, there'll be more event specific stuff. I choose when I do what within the specific week and it's good to be flexible with our lovely weather.

I do use a heart rate monitor rather than on look and feel...I'd get that completely wrong. When I think I'm taking it easy, my heart rate monitor clearly shows me that, although I think I'm not getting too excited, I'm actually going much harder than I think. And when I think I'm finding it tough it occasionally gives me a nice surprise, albeit rarely . The HRM works for me cos it does hold me back and keeps me in low intensity when I need to be for the ride to match the programme. It also makes me work harder on the turbo sessions when I'd rather be sitting on the sofa drinking wine and watching the Apprentice.

For me (and for sure it's not for everyone), it's all a great help. I don't have the cycling experience nor training knowledge to know what to do otherwise. I do know I'd be out there overtraining through fear or riding too fast but not long enough if I didn't have something to follow. Or I'd be in my training comfort zone, which worryingly enough for sportives is....swimming .

It's now the beginning of April so there's under 2 months to go until the Tour of Wessex, which still fills me with absolute fear. I know for some of you it'd be a complete doddle but for me it'll be a real challenge.

I dunno what's in store over the next 8 weeks and won't do until the next programme arrives by email so I can't leap ahead. I suspect that with about a month to go the volume of training will go down and perhaps the intensity or frequency of the rides will go up to try to get me used to riding 100+ hilly miles, going to bed and then doing it again and again. I'll let you know how I get on...

I know Carl has also been using a coach over the same time with great success this year so it can't be all madness!

By the way, I'm finding cycling very addictive. Is this normal?

Cheers Neil

[Sarah_M]

I am a planner. I have a monthly schedule for running, swimming and cycling with each session planned in detail, e.g. interval length, number of reps, recoveries, target speeds etc. I have long term, mid term and weekly goals and evaluate my progress each week. I will adjust the programme if I am struggling or doing better than I thought.
I did two marathons last year. For the first one, I just ran so many miles every day. The second one I did with a structure and did it just under a hour quicker
I use Garmin for running and a cadence, speed and distance compuer on the bike (checked for accuracy in set up against the Garmin) I do have a HRM but don't use it much. I prefer to structure my training around target race pace with set interval times around this. I have a trainer who sets my running sessions (I have just moved into tri and cycling from running) and am using a combination of the 7 hour plan and committed cyclist in the CW Spring Health and Fitness Mag. I am pretty much following the 7 hour plan but taking some of the interval ideas from the other one.
It can get boring on the TT. I stick the computer with BBC i-player in front of me. For running, I have playlists and audio books. Long rides are never boring as I am either concentrating on traffic or enjoying the scenery. Discipline is hard, especially getting up at 6am but I visualise my targets and previous successes to keep me motivated.
I do have a son with lots of medical problems and my training is my 'me time' and gets shot of the excess adrenaline so that helps keep me going too.

[Sarah_M]

Just reading back again and reading posts on juggling training around family etc.
I have 3 children and am often on my own with them. My youngest can not be left with anyone other than parents or nurses due to a medical condition. I get around the difficulties by adopting a 'sessions a week' approach. I have 11 sessions of training each week (5 bike, 4 run, 2 or 3 swim). I have a plan of the optimum and ideal structure for the week but if I miss a session I try and put it somewhere else. I have a rest day on Friday but often swap that. If I have a nurse to look after my youngest and the girls are at school, I may do the long ride or run to take some pressure off the weekend or may do 3 sessions. I work part-time and from home so do that when I can't train. If all else fails, I do the cycling sessions on the TT. A 'long ride' on a TT is boring but i-player helps and visualising the goals keeps me going through a long boring session. OH came home as I was doing it the other day and handed me a cuppa so the TT can have some benefits I find times that have the least disruption too. My eldest goes off to school at 7.30 and I take her sister to school at 8.45. 7-8 is a good time for a run, ride or swim as I can get Hope up, sort her out and leave her to it and be back to sort Ellie out. In the meantime, OH gets William sorted and this is often their favourite part of the day together if Wills will be asleep when he gets back from work.