Plateau

Well, I am feeling like I have plateaued, and of course that is normal. So, now I need to step it up and mix it up a bit but I am not sure exactly how I plan to do that yet. I am training for a race weekend in Maine (Lake Auburn Road Race, and the Great Falls Crit), so I dont want to do to much different now. Don't get me wrong I am still making gains in fitness and riding skill, I am just getting a bit stale and though I do push myself pretty hard I feel I could go harder at times (still get rest and recover) and make more gains. Some of it is I train by myself, my closest group ride is about an hour drive (well with people at higher levels than myself) and with my time limitations and work schedual it is not very plausable. (Maybe though that is what I need to do is make time and at least do one of these rides every few weeks)

Nutritionally, things are pretty level. I want to lose more body fat but I am not willing to give up performance and lean weight as a trade off, at least not at this point. One thing I have to remember is that I am increasing my training volume and that is going to make a difference, I just have to keep a balance and not go to far one way or another. On the other hand, I think riding the fence to much will lead to more stagnation. Anyhow, I will figure it out and learn from my mistakes.

Gun

Starting a new cycle

Its been a few weeks since I have blogged just been really busy with family, work, and riding. I just came off the Turkey Hill County Classic race in Lancaster Pa. It was actually my first race as a Cat 4. I feel I was ready physically and mentally, this was not what I would classify as an A race, it was just to keep up with competing and a day out with the kids. The kids had a blast, as for my race I had mechanical problems in two races but was able to finish the second.

Right now I am on day 3 of a Fat Loss Bootcamp http://www.cyclo-club.com/public/main.cfm that I am doing with my wife and her sister. My goal is to get below 180lbs but thats not the reason for the FLBC, I just want to prime my body to start training for another race that I have coming up June 6th. This race the Lake Auburn Road Race, in Auburn Maine was my first race ever, last year and I want to use it as a gauge, I finished 53 (not last :) ) as a CAT5 now as a CAT 4 I am in way better shape but the competition is just as tough if not tougher. My goal for this race is to finish in the top ten if not 1st. I have been learning alot this year about racing and have been working on my weaknesses. I have done ok in my races thus far but either make mental mistakes and go to hard to early or have had mechanical problems.

I am working on my training program for this as I write, I am considering combining both a speed and climbing program, both will build me in areas that could use work. I also need to consider keeping a sustained pace and keeping with the pack in accelerations. Anyhow I will have a program nailed down this week. It will include a good bit of strenght training the first half, and a healthy amount of core work up to two weeks before. Stronger core equals stronger performance on the bike.

Nurtrionally I am on track, I did ad a few pounds I was hovering around 184 but weighed in for the FLBC at 188, but I think it was lean weight cause I have added some muscle which is fine. I will be using more of a mix between a performance phase of eating and a maintenance phase as I get closer to the end of the month. My pre, in, and post ride fueling seems to be ok but I think it needs a tweaking but just not sure what. Well, thats why its called working on a program and needs to be flexable.

Gun

Harvey

Success but not first place

Well, the race went great, it was very tough lots of people walking the hills. I never had to put a foot down though I was close on one of the dirt climbs. It was Juniper Swamp, an 18+ % grade on loose dirt you couldnt get out of the saddle cause your rear tire would spin and it was hard as heck to stay in the saddle and get enough power to get up the hill. I ended up doing an S-turn so as not to stop and that gave me enough momentum to keep going. Overall I finished 38th out of 50 in my fields it was sprint between four of us which though it did not decide any part of the race it was fun for us. I came in second in that sprint for the finish by a tenth of a second what fun. If you want to check out the race here is the event website. http://www.tourofthebattenkill.com/

gun

Here we go....

Well, all checked in for the race its funny there are almost as many racers as there are residents of Cambridge NY. The town is all a buzz and the pros are showing up slowly. I am so hyped up and ready to roll, I feel great and am going for it. I am about to head out for a quick opening just to losing up I rode a mile to check up on my shifters and such and felt good already so I think its just going to be a quick spin and some stretching then a light supper and bed.
Hammer on
gun

Two more days

Two days till race day, I am on the race week of the build peak race format and I feel great but feel I am not doing enough guess its a situation where you just have to have confidence in your training. Getting ready to head to the bike shop and tune up the bike. I am very stoked and ready to rock. Its going to be a great day just being on the bike in a beautiful area like cambridge new york. gun
Two days till race day, I am on the race week of the build peak race format and I feel great but feel I am not doing enough guess its a situation where you just have to have confidence in your training. Getting ready to head to the bike shop and tune up the bike. I am very stoked and ready to rock. Its going to be a great day just being on the bike in a beautiful area like cambridge new york.
gun

One week to go....

Well, one week till the Battenkill Roubaix which is going to be my first major road race of the year and may be the toughest course all year (at least looking at the race schedule). I am really psyched about the race and cant wait to line up and get to it. Training has been good for the most part, I am a little concerned that I haven't done enough, but considering all that has gone on for the last two months (being sick for 2+ weeks, getting ready for the new baby, and life in general), I feel I have made some great gains in fitness and technique and have learned much about my own body and how it responds. I also know that I have (even in other activities) had the tendency to over train so that also makes me feel as if I haven't trained enough.

Race day will definitely tell the tale, regardless I will be pushing myself and be using some newly learned strategies and mental toughness, my enjoyment of this sport is not dependent on the out come of an event but the sport itself.

gun

First road race of the year "Fawn Grove Roubaix"

Fitness wise I was pretty good not exactly where I wanted to be but much improved. The race its self was very tough the the dirt roads which made up about 1/3 of the race was covered with loose gravel not all small either. I was told after the race that some of the local farmers thinking they were helping went out and graded the dirt roads. Well, that actually made handling even more horrendious. I finshed 37 out of 63 or so, and only 39 of the 63 starters in my 4/5 group finished the race. There was a crash in the first turn that I avoided by continuing down the road straight I then had to turn around go back up hill to the turn and get back on the course but was able to finish the a race on two wheels and no flats. One guy had three flats in 5 miles. For me the course was a little to technical, I just had to many things to think about, but it was a race for me to get ready for the Battenkill Roubaix; and that it definitly did. I was happy with my effort the rest of the race, I even made up 12 minutes to catch and pass the two riders that finished 38 and 39th.

Gun

Harvey