Training

[MELK-MAN]

If you don't like cycling, your not doing it right.

mad skillz ! ! !

[Gino230]

Bottom line, anything you can do will help. After college I became a total couch potato. When I started racing about 12 years ago, I was completely spent after 6 laps. So I got a stationary bike and started riding it 15 minutes a day while watching the video of my race (back then in low def on a real VCR). Somehow I have morphed into working out 5 days a week...but it's part of my life now and I don't even think twice about it.

The training really pays big rewards when you start riding 4-5 races per day. I run about 10-15 miles a week, strength train on average 2 days per week. Sometimes more. I have to get back into cycling, I used to ride alot more but my fiance got us into running obstacle races. It's a great goal for your training. Enter some kind of 5k, sprint, triathlon, etc, it keeps you focused. I sit on my behind ALL DAY at work, so I feel like if I don't train a little, I'll die!

Last weekend at Homestead, I rode 6 practice sessions on sat, 4 races on Sunday....two of them back to back. I never felt physically tired but mentally I struggled a bit with concentration in the last races. Maybe a little bit of fatigue. When you get tired you'll start making mistakes. It was pretty hot.

To combat that I have been doing my runs a little earlier, so I'm training in the heat that I'll be racing in in July. July at PBIR has got to be one of the most taxing weekends heat-wise. I know there's places where it's hotter, but the humidity is so high the sweat can't cool you down. If you're not acclimated you'll be toast! Of course it will probably rain :)

I wish I could ride dirt bikes like Greg, but it's tough where I live, closest track is 40 miles. Mark is being humble about his fitness, he did the Tough Mudder in Tampa which I hear is harder than the Super Spartan I did a few months back....and that was no picnic...even when I was running 20 miles per week.

I saw that Mladin is looking to make a comeback, he is over 200 lb now and when he quit racing he was 155. Those top pros are incredibly skinny, Ben Spies is 5'11 and 155. I'm 5'11 and 195 and I think I'm reasonably fit! They cycle their brains out. Not sure how many miles they do but when they talk about having a "Big week" I'm thinking it's like 500 miles.

[Gino230]

If you don't like cycling, your not doing it right.

Wow.

A. I want a mountain bike.

B. I will need someone to follow me in there with a stretcher.

[apriliaman]

The tough mudder in florida was an easy warmup compare to the one I did in WV-VA.Check out my video I made.I ran it on my own.

[supercarl]

That mountain bike vid was awesome! Wish there were trails like that near me lol.

[mattbnj]

Cardio training is ok, but you are most likely exhausted due to isometric muscle fatigue. Think about it. Are you getting off the bike after a race gasping for breath? Probably not. Sure you will have an elevated heart rate, but that's not what's kicking your ass. It's your muscles being in a constant tense state for 10~15 minutes straight. No amount of cardio will help you with that.  I would recommend isometric training to build your muscle endurance. Guarantee it will help.

[Jwhite316]

Cardio training is ok, but you are most likely exhausted due to isometric muscle fatigue. Think about it. Are you getting off the bike after a race gasping for breath? Probably not. Sure you will have an elevated heart rate, but that's not what's kicking your ass. It's your muscles being in a constant tense state for 10~15 minutes straight. No amount of cardio will help you with that.  I would recommend isometric training to build your muscle endurance. Guarantee it will help.

I don't think your muscles are in a constant tense state typically....for me anyways, I always have weight all in my legs and am constantly moving from side of the bike to the other. My aim is to use my arms for throttle, clutch and brake and steering input.  I think a blend of cardio and strength training is the best way to train.  For me, I look at the best in the world and try to emulate what they are doing.  Cycling, core exorcises and muscle toning exercises is what I mostly see.  I also think riding a dirt bike is good more for just being on a bike with a motor.  Concentration is a huge deal for me, and railing in a big yard on my XR100 has done a ton for me.

[mattbnj]

Certainly core training, dirt bike riding, and weights will help, but try incorporating some basic isometric exercises like wall squats, or isometric shoulder raises and isometric push-ups. This may help you more than you think. Good luck this year!

Matt