With the weather closing in for winter, my training this week has been a little hit and miss (not a good start I hear you shout). However, I'm also getting over a bout of laryngitis so have been told to take it easy for a few days. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
Anyway, after an hour on the turbo trainer on Tuesday and a core workout last night, it feels good to be back in the training mindset. Tonight I have another turbo session to look forward to ahead of a rest day tomorrow.
Up until now, I've been 'turboing' on a three year old Tacx Satori. A great trainer and ideal for developing leg power -in fact it's as used by Team Saxobank for that very reason. Unfortunately that's where the similarities between me and Andy Schleck stop! It's also unfortunate that I have the attention span of a goldfish. Keeping my concentration on the job in hand whilst grinding through an hour of staring at the garage wall is never easy so a change is coming. Enter the super turbo!
Tomorrow I take delivery of my new trainer. Another Tacx, I've gone for the Fortius with optional steerer frame. It's as seen on the Gadget Show a couple of weeks back where it got a rave review from both Jason Bradbury and Suzi Perry. As a virtual reality trainer and with real life DVD options for training, it makes training more fun. I'll be Google Earth mapping my favourite routes so I can ride them on even the worst winters day from the comfort of my conservatory (yes, it's coming in from the garage. I'm old, it's cold...radiators are welcomed). I'll also be riding World Cup MTB courses and taking part in the Amstel Gold race...all in the name of training. With power measurement, HRM and much more, this is what I need for the coming winter.
My coach, five time national MTB champion, Jenny Copnall has put together a great plan for me over the coming months. I won't give too much away now as all will be revealed over the coming weeks but there's a lot of hard work coming my way both on and off the new Fortius. It's great to have someone working alongside you to guide and mentor you through the training and there was only ever one person for the job in my eyes. With five national titles under her belt as well as many World Cup races and coaching qualifications, if anyone can get me fit...Jenny can.
We're up and running. Bring it on.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Sunday, 24 October 2010
It all starts here...
Well here we go. My first blog and the first week on my road to complete mountain bike fitness. Quite a goal, but one I can't wait to embark on.
So why am I doing this? Well, there are many reasons so let me explain.
First, as my 30s have progressed, so has my waistline unfortunately. I guess it comes to us all once we get closer to 40 than 30 but I'm not one to just accept the status quo in any walk of life and the 30's 'spread' is certainly no different. I will always challenge myself and any 'rules of ageing' are, in my opinion, there to be broken...so the 30s expansion has to go! Cycling is a low impact and enjoyable way to both improve my fitness and lose a bit of weight in the process. It also brings me into contact with some real personalities and people I would not otherwise have the pleasure of meeting or knowing.
Secondly, and here's the big one. I love cycling... especially mountain biking. I adore it. It makes me feel alive and de-stresses me. The adrenaline rush of hitting a downhill trail at full speed, the sound and feel of the air rushing by you, the chattering of the bike as you take rougher terrain harder and faster than ever before and the smell of the fresh woodland air on an early morning ride. Sheer and complete perfection.
So why start the fitness challenge right here and now? Why not wait until after the Christmas splurge and indulgences? And why not just enjoy the mountain biking without lots of preset goals?
Well, it's the competitor in me to blame. Over the years I've dallied with the odd mountain bike race and endurance event and loved them all but always felt something was missing. A challenge is not a real challenge unless it's a huge one!
To this end, I have always wanted to compete in one of the major international UCI stage races. Day after consecutive day of mud plugging and pushing myself to the absolute limit really appeals to me for some strange reason and so, call it a mid life crisis or sheer madness...I'm finally doing it. I've registered for one of the biggies in 2011. All will become clear in the forthcoming weeks but for now, please believe me when I say...I will need calves of steel, nerves of iron and quite a bit of puff in my lungs....it's going to be tough....and I can't wait.
I won't be alone in my UCI quest though. I'm lucky enough to make my living from the sport with my Marketing, PR and Event Consultancy - Red Cloud MC - giving me the chance to talk bikes and cycling every day of my life. It has also introduced me to some really amazing athletes and some top people. These same people, these same athletes who I have admired for their talent and ability on a bike over the years, are now helping me in my quest for complete bike fitness and the major race day in 2011. Over the coming weeks, I will introduce you to these people as they help take me from weekend warrior to UCI endurance race competitor.
I'd like to invite you along for the ride too. Any help, advice or guidance is always appreciated and hopefully somewhere en route I may be able to help you with your riding too. It's gonna be fun!
And so it begins...
Cheers
Mark
So why am I doing this? Well, there are many reasons so let me explain.
First, as my 30s have progressed, so has my waistline unfortunately. I guess it comes to us all once we get closer to 40 than 30 but I'm not one to just accept the status quo in any walk of life and the 30's 'spread' is certainly no different. I will always challenge myself and any 'rules of ageing' are, in my opinion, there to be broken...so the 30s expansion has to go! Cycling is a low impact and enjoyable way to both improve my fitness and lose a bit of weight in the process. It also brings me into contact with some real personalities and people I would not otherwise have the pleasure of meeting or knowing.
Secondly, and here's the big one. I love cycling... especially mountain biking. I adore it. It makes me feel alive and de-stresses me. The adrenaline rush of hitting a downhill trail at full speed, the sound and feel of the air rushing by you, the chattering of the bike as you take rougher terrain harder and faster than ever before and the smell of the fresh woodland air on an early morning ride. Sheer and complete perfection.
So why start the fitness challenge right here and now? Why not wait until after the Christmas splurge and indulgences? And why not just enjoy the mountain biking without lots of preset goals?
Well, it's the competitor in me to blame. Over the years I've dallied with the odd mountain bike race and endurance event and loved them all but always felt something was missing. A challenge is not a real challenge unless it's a huge one!
To this end, I have always wanted to compete in one of the major international UCI stage races. Day after consecutive day of mud plugging and pushing myself to the absolute limit really appeals to me for some strange reason and so, call it a mid life crisis or sheer madness...I'm finally doing it. I've registered for one of the biggies in 2011. All will become clear in the forthcoming weeks but for now, please believe me when I say...I will need calves of steel, nerves of iron and quite a bit of puff in my lungs....it's going to be tough....and I can't wait.
I won't be alone in my UCI quest though. I'm lucky enough to make my living from the sport with my Marketing, PR and Event Consultancy - Red Cloud MC - giving me the chance to talk bikes and cycling every day of my life. It has also introduced me to some really amazing athletes and some top people. These same people, these same athletes who I have admired for their talent and ability on a bike over the years, are now helping me in my quest for complete bike fitness and the major race day in 2011. Over the coming weeks, I will introduce you to these people as they help take me from weekend warrior to UCI endurance race competitor.
I'd like to invite you along for the ride too. Any help, advice or guidance is always appreciated and hopefully somewhere en route I may be able to help you with your riding too. It's gonna be fun!
And so it begins...
Cheers
Mark
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