It's Almost Time to Get Intense

Shortly before starting this post I noticed that Steve Tilford had updated his blog, he began by saying, "...I hate indoor riding." Spoken like a true cyclist indeed. I guess that makes me an untrue cyclist though. I like indoor riding and I've openly admitted to that fact many times. Ok, I guess I don't like-like indoor training, I simply appreciate it for what it is. I remember my first fall to winter training transition. It was ugly. I hated climbing on the trainer during cold days, I hated not feeling the wind rush past and I pedaled, and I hated the fact that I was confined to a solitary room. However, after last year's preseason and all the extensive indoor trainer work that I performed, my feelings changed. What really put the trainer into perspective for me was my first season of racing. After last season I began to know a little more about what I was pursuing; and in that regard, I knew where indoor training fell into place. Trainer work is merely a tool in the toolbox, it's not really riding at all. Instead of thinking of it as a substitution for riding, I now classified it in a category all its own. It is trainer work, nothing else. It's kind of like the girl you grew up to next door, though the promise of something else has lingered for years, she's only going to be a friend, so you should probably stop inviting her to John Mayer concerts.

With that said, it's good to mix it up as much as possible, and yes, I'm talking about cross-training. Coming from the traditionalist camp, which I admit I fall into more out of ignorance that sheer preference, cross-training is a tricky subject. Jogging, lifting, and riding different disciplines all seem pretty viable options. Though I have experience jogging (my max run distance was 5 miles.. ha ha) and lifting (I used to weight train) both are considerably alien when put into the context of cross-training for road. The worry with lifting is that muscle will be developed where it shouldn't and I'll gain extra, unnecessary, weight. Any additional weight gain to an already 200lb frame would be bad. My upper body is a trouble area, as I used to do extensive arm and chest conditioning. Gaining more muscle there and I would probably have to abandon road for the velodrome. Obviously I would be careful about jumping in the weight room; which brings us to jogging. Out of all my options for cross-training, jogging seems the most realistic. It is financially accessible, simplistic, and efficient. I've also heard that jogging builds joint strength. After experiencing tendinitis in my left knee this off-season, my hope is that jogging would help to strengthen it up. I'm no expert however. I guess you just start running in a direction and see where that takes you. Come to think of it, I might need a jogging partner.

January is drawing closer and with target races in late May it's almost time to get intense. The early pre-season (October-December) is for endurance and base building, but late pre-season (January-February) is for speed and power gains. 1-minute and 30 second intervals, speedwork, and hill repeats are all on the dockett. I'm getting excited for the trainer sessions where I'm howling in pain and fighting to hold my lunch down. I'm looking forward to it for the challenge it will bring and the payoff come spring. The ability to attack and attack.. and attack, the ability to crush your competition both physically and mentally, in a race, is absolutely exhilirating. Waiting in the pack for 30 miles and the opportune moment to strike, when finally it arises and you launch a minute-long attack leaving the peloton in the dust. The feelings of victory both personal and in the race are incredible. For the past few months, when sitting in contemplation of what is to come, my heartbeat rises and I get that nervous handtwitch of an adrenaline rush.

In the words of the Spartan King Leonidas, "Prepare for glory!" Ten-four good buddy. I'm getting ready.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMGJP3b4rbg