Base Training

[Eden]

I do a good amount of base, but I do it during the winter. Once race season rolls around I'm usually in a build-recover cycle.

[RoadRaven]

I do a good amount of base, but I do it during the winter. Once race season rolls around I'm usually in a build-recover cycle.

Hey there Eden
Winter would have my preference, but as I work fulltime and don't want to ride at night and dislike too much time on a stationary trainer, my hours are always lower during winter. Add into that that during winter I am supporting my partner in his build toward the National Championship, and I just can't - I need to organise children, meals etc etc because he is just too tired on his own build 500-700km weeks at times).

If things were ideal, and I could peak when I wanted, I would be peaking for the Summer TT series.

However, there are 3 events in late Summer/Autumn I want to peak for, so doing a spring/summer base build up might work ok.

So there's my little tidbits on my understanding of base training. It sounds like you are going for it aggressively, so you'll probably get great results.

Thanks for all that Jiffer. It confrms where I am at I think.

I started biking at 38yrs of age in 2003, with 303km for the year
In 2005 I did 2530km
In 2006, I did 3718km
Last year I managed to rack up 4583km

Together with what I have done this year, I now have a foundation of 14,471kms. However, since I April 2006, I have raced almost every Saturday, so this new approach to "doing base" is truly a "new" approach.

In a way, I am even beginning to look forward to not racing for a while.

Selene Yeager's book, "Every woman's guide to Cycling," addresses building your training plan

I've seen you mention it in a couple of threads and have made a note to investigate it more. At the moment I use Gale Bernhardt's book "The Female cyclist:Gearing Up A Level, Its based on Joe Friel's "Cyclists Training Bible". Both of these might be worth you investigating as well (while I investigate yours )

[TrekTheKaty]

Always hard to find cycling books--I just ordered it. Thanks!

[smilingcat]

I started biking at 38yrs of age in 2003, with 303km for the year
In 2005 I did 2530km
In 2006, I did 3718km
Last year I managed to rack up 4583km

Together with what I have done this year, I now have a foundation of 14,471kms. However, since I April 2006, I have raced almost every Saturday, so this new approach to "doing base" is truly a "new" approach.

WOW!! Not sure how you are going to take it but 4500km/year or about 375km/month of riding, you are doing really well. And if I recall your time, it is pretty good.

your husband riding 700km, it better be for the month. not per week. And I used to train about +300km/week but that was when I was in my early 30's. Now days I just toot around and ride 150-200km/week (on weeks when I can ride).

I think it would be good for you to focus on some key races and do the base training, periodizing to hit your peak on the race day. Afterwards you can decide to do what you been doing or go with your new training plan.

wish you lots of luck and cheering you on your TT.

smilingcat

[RoadRaven]

WOW!! Not sure how you are going to take it but 4500km/year or about 375km/month of riding, you are doing really well.

Yeah, I'm pretty pleased with 4500km last year. My goal is to get to 5500km this year, and I am on track for that.

your husband riding 700km, it better be for the month. not per week. And I used to train about +300km/week but that was when I was in my early 30's. Now days I just toot around and ride 150-200km/week (on weeks when I can ride).

LOL.. It is per week.
At the moment he is taking it "easy" and will only get about 350km this week - his "A priority" race is next Thursday. Then he will have a couple of "light" weeks - maybe only 200km per week. And then he will be looking at upping it over summer to 700ish a week (2 rides per day, most days of the week).

I think it would be good for you to focus on some key races and do the base training, periodizing to hit your peak on the race day. Afterwards you can decide to do what you been doing or go with your new training plan.

Yup. I think this is the conclusion I have come to as well Cat, and its good to have confirmation as well from you all here. I have been so enthusiastic my training has been messy (like trying to focus on endurance and strength and power and speed all at once). I have tried to race every race.
I have read so often about base-training and periodisation. I have supported my partner through it. But it never really registered with me how/when I could do this. I am so pleased he has suggested this to me and will coach me through it.

[RoadRaven]

I have another question, while I'm doing base, and with the lower fat/sugar diet I will be on, what amount of weight is reasonable to aim to lose between now and the end of January?

My goal for the year was 10kgs. I am currently 100kgs.

My overall goal is to get down to 85kg and see how I bike before considering anymore weight loss.

I am not really a dieter and don't really know about this. My approach to cycling has been to eat sensibly and exercise more, and my weight will shift/change accordingly - slowly of course, but that means it is more likely to stay off.

So how much of that 15kgs do you think I can reasonably aim to lose during my "base"?

[RoadRaven]

Well, the question above still stands, if anyone has any thoughts on it.

I have decided to start base-training earlier, and this last week has been my first.
I racked up 7hours (and six minutes ) on the bike this week. I feel really shattered (in fact, I not long woke up in my chair in front of telly - I'm off to bed when I have finished catching up on TE)

Any suggestions for maintaining energy? I had expected to get tired, but not in the first week... I've only down about 2 hours extra on the bike above my usual "average".

I am not on leave until a week before the Xmas/NewYear break, so cannot have the midday "nana-naps" I am planning to have in my annual leave.

Lots of berocca? I am staying away from caffeine, so thats not an option...

Most of the stuff on base-training I read is from the perspective of how it is for men, and although its useful, women do have a different metabolism, so any thoughts are very welcome.

[crazycanuck]

Hey RR,

I can't answer the questions you asked as i'm not an expert
This might help? http://www.ausport.gov.au/information

Berocca might actually help with energy. I'm curious about how much energy it will give you.

What about Endura products?? http://www.endura.com.au/content/?id=9#NZ