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Training Strategies For Serious Cyclists
Discipline is the one thing all serious athletes require in order to reach their goals. It is the common element that can be found resident within all those that we look up to in the sporting arena and aspire to be like. For me the simple action of getting out of that warm bed early in the morning is the hardest step of all! Discipline demands that you make decisions ahead of time. There will be no saying no if it is too cold or too hot. There will be no question as you lay your head on the pillow of whether you will be rising the next day with the sun or not. Discipline is often the difference between the great and the good. Everyone benefits from a little extra motivation to train. This includes cyclists, even serious cyclists who seem totally committed to training regularly. The best way that I have found to combat lapses in commitment is to train as part of a group. I recommend a group of no less than four and no more than six cyclists of a similar fitness level to yourself. If you miss a day, you want to be missed and chased up: this is accountability. We all need to be kept accountable and this will cause you to keep up your regular training regime. There are many benefits in being part of a smallish cycling training group. The healthy competition factor can be an incredible booster and help us push the front wheel over the line of comfort, and consequently make us better and stronger riders. As a group, setting a time occasionally to reach a particular destination, or setting a time for a section of the ride, adds variety and keeps the competitive edge alive and well. Be honest with each other, set goals and offer advice to each other. This will greatly aid your development as a cyclist. When riding in a group, consider carefully the various abilities within the group. Not everybody will be identical in strength, endurance and mental stamina, but everybody can have a useful ride. Make sure the youngest and fittest memebers of the group are lead wheel and that you are training in a time trial formation. Then go for it! Weaker riders should stay at the back for longer stretches. Sometimes you can adapt so that the fittest riders reach the top of steep hills first, then turn back and rejoin the rest of you before heading to the top again. This way everyone gets a work out. It is only natural that there will be differences in the cyclists you train with. Some will be best at climbing, others will be great sprinters and others may do everything consistently well and show great stamina. It is possible to please everybody when training and learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses. For example, go out of your way to encourage hill-haters and spur on the non-sprinters. Change your route sometimes. If you've never organised a loop circuit you don't know how much fun it can be when hill training. It works well for cyclists of differing specialties because fast riders can go hard and re-catch the group, resulting in everyone feeling like they're pushing themselves at their own level. Another way to achieve this is through handicapped sprints, especially useful at the conclusion of your training session. Keep in mind that relationship is an extremely important factor in your training success. This is not given nearly enough credence, in my opinion. Train in a group, not on your own. Don't just ride with your training group, socialise with them and get to know them and their families. These informal connections will build understanding and trust. This in turn will make you feel more responsible to your training group and you wont be as inclined to let them (and yourself!) down by not turning up to training sessions and so on. Perhaps you've noticed the tendency of runners, cyclists, swimmers and other athletes to achieve personal bests in team events and/or relays. This is no accident! As individual competitors, you will be positively influenced by having your fellow-trainers around, encouraging you and inspiring you. It is vital that you enhance the effects of your hard work and training by intaking the correct amount of food and drink for you. There are subtle differences in what cyclists believe is best to consume before, during and after a ride. However, most cyclists are agreed on the need for amino sports fuel and protein drinks. Amino Sports Fuel drinks are best taken before or during training, and these aim to replace the electrolytes you are using up. Protein shakes/supplements are best taken in the hour after you conclude your training to aid the recovery process of your muscles and prevent injury. You may as well have every advantage, afterall, you're doing your part in putting in the hard yards. Safety should always be high on your priority list when cycling. You must consider all aspects of your intended route, including equipment needed, transition points, dense traffic areas, weather and communication signals for your training group. Know when members of your training group are likely to become tired and less alert. Use clear and consistent communication with the others in your group: this is all part of the required accountability. Most accidents occur when cyclists are tired and their reactions are much slower than they should be, so be scrupulously diligent about this. Always organise to return home on a very safe, tried and tested route. You're a cyclist and you're looking for training advice..good on you! So many set out to train without gleaning advice and hearing the voice of experience, but you're not one of those. Find a training group so that you're not trying to do this all on your own. Then be determined, informed and consistent, and you will find success. Here's hoping you achieve your personal best and have the time of your life doing it! Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Colin Johnson has been a sought after condition expert and top sports coach in a variety of fields. He strongly endorses whey protein shakes for muscle recovery and development and Amino Sports Fuel for lasting energy. |
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