Help!!! I need a training program

[aka_kim]

I may be using the term "meditation" incorrectly, maybe it's more "relaxation" techniques in the Yee video. But, the calm and "mindfulness" he discusses are really helpful. Yeah, you do the "breathing through the groins" thing sometimes, but in the context of what you're doing at the time it doesn't seem quite so crazy. And I am becoming more aware of my posture, etc. I sit up straighter, stand in better alignment. Things I'd really never thought much about before.

I'm wasn't initially expecting yoga to help with cycling, other than relief from hip flexor tightness. But what LBTC mentioned about "breathing through pain" does make sense, and will help my climbing.

For me, a video, and this particular video, is a really good intro to yoga.

Kim
(a straight-laced, uptight Californian)

[MightyMitre]

Thanks peeps. I think the idea of Sports Yoga might be worth investigating, especially for the stretching and strengthening aspects.

Maybe the breathing thing will come over time. I know yoga's been around for probably thousands of years, so I'm sure it's very beneficial, but I suppose it's a bit like finding a diet that suits you. I guess one size doesn't fit all but I haven't written it off yet.

[Twice Daily]

Personally, I like Pilates better than Yoga...I used to be dancer, so perhaps I'm biased...

This winter I started snowboarding and holy crap! I’ve had a huge improvement in muscle strength and definition...My arms are stronger from pushing myself up off the ground...my core is stronger...and my legs are stronger and more defined! I go about 2x a week (easy to do when you live in Utah and 20 minutes from the resort...)

I've also kept up with spinning, 2- 3 x a week...

My boyfriend used to ride MTB professionally and he never "trained" in the off-season, he just snowboarded 5 x a week and did a lot of mountaineering (to snowboard)...he said he could get back on his bike in the spring without any loss in fitness...

I hate going to the gym...I'd rather just do the activities I like and let my body develop the way it needs to so I can do those activities well...

But...I do know that intervals really increase speed, especially on the flats...and a heart rate monitor is a wonderful thing to have, if you know how to use it...

And lighter bikes go faster up hills...and so do lighter bodies!

[LBTC]

Hey, TD! What a lucky guy he is - no "training"! cool. I think there's some genetics at work there...and once you reach a pretty high fitness level it doesn't take a whole bunch of work to maintain it.

I figure there's just three things that are truly necessary. Whatever you do needs to challenge you physically - it needs to be a good enough workout to give you a result.
Whatever you do you have to really like! If you don't like it you're not likely to do it enough to make a difference!
Whatever you do, you've got to change things up every once in awhile to keep your muscles working differently, once again to keep them challenged.

I'm going to try Pilates this weekend - got a free DVD in a box of cereal! And, if this weather holds, we'll have a light fun road ride on our mountain bikes on Sunday afternoon. (our roads are bad enough we almost want the mtb's even in great weather, but right now there's a lot of winter gravel, sand and schmutz on the road, so those skinny road tires would be lethal!!) Should work well to release the tightness in my legs from kickboxing! <grin>

Just get to it, everyone! Pick your fun activity, and keep fit!!

Wahoo and namaste,
~T~