Well now.
I stopped blogging after October as I really didn't have anything to report on. I wasn't racing anymore, I pretty much dropped training till January during this time. I did get on my bike and ride for total enjoyment every once in a while, and even got on the trainer a few times to just squirrel away a few rides to make it seem like I was doing something.
During October and November I actually got hammered with some chest infection as well which pretty much limited me to 1 hour rides at max. The coughing was out of control, and it seemed like any cold that was going around landed squarely on my doorstep making sure to stick around for as long as it could. It was a very long 2 months by way of colds. I did manage to shake it by about mid December.
As for January, I've been on the bike since January 1st. Only 1 rest day which was last Friday. 2Hs each time or more.
2 of those nights are spin for HIIT, the rest are all just endurance builds of riding at 65% of max for 2H while I watch a movie or something... so far Kung Pow has been the more enjoyable one.
The goal over now to Paris to Ancaster is to build up a fairly significant base to work with once P2A is over. The goal for Paris to Ancaster is to be a top 10 Clyde.
Last year: 3:15, this year 2h: 45m is the goal.
Things I learned last year that I'll use to improve all times this year:
1. Actually train... for everything.
Training for me was like a 1H ride last year. Some spin, and a big heap of "eat what I want". I never really broke it down into a science. I never really spent a lot of time on my bike apart from being all giddy about owning the bikes I had. Most of my endurance rides now in my basement are spent on my cross bike. Which I'll be using for P2A and most of my training this year.
Also this will be my most disciplined year of training. More so then when I was playing Rugby and Football. I refuse to walk around with the regret of not trying hard enough this year. Last year was a massive increase in speed and ability. Though looking back its probably because of the weight loss more then actual fitness. This year, a fairly significant volume of training while I drop weight. Once we get this baby to 230lbs, you're gonna see some serious shit.
2. Proper hydration/nutrition.
Cramping really screwed me the first time around. Near the end of P2A, I slowed to a crawl as I tried to cycle through the cramps. The uphills felt like hot pikes were being driven from my knee to my hips down the center of my legs. It was possibly one of the most unenjoyable feelings I've ever had. I've been practicing on my rides. I need half a bottle of water every 30 min to maintain my pace. If I falter on drinking I really start to decline in performance. It was proven last August. I lost my gatorade bottle on my second lap of Canal Days. Once I stopped drinking it was game over as my legs cramped up on me and I slowed to a crawl as my body started to break down.
3. No more Mr. Nice Guy... sorta.
Single Track I would wait for people, or slow down to let faster riders by or whatever. On hills I would dismount instead of ride around people. I would let people draft me for god knows how long but they would never give me a draft at all. Not this year. I plan on running you over if you dismount, and if you get stuck behind me in what little single track there is, you can effing wait. If you can't pass me using your own speed then we'll wait for the road or trail.
This will also apply to racing as a whole. I'll obviously move over for those who are faster, but I'm not going to sacrifice my times.
Also this is for you roadies.... if you come to a mountain bike race... and you shit all over single track but then try to burn me on double track, I'm going to ask that you let me into the single track first. If you don't then I'm going to pass you on single track... believe me, it will be videotaped for giggles to put on here later.
Its not like I'm going to be a huge douche the entire race, that's never my style. But I am going to serious a bit more while I'm on 2 wheels.
4. Ride like you mean it.. for the whole race, not just mini victories.
Ever do something you know you can do really well totally half assed? Say for example drawing a figure of a man. Draw a circle, a cross and a upside down V for legs and tada... you got a stickman. This is how I'd ride sometimes. I would ride well, but I never really went for it. The one time I did was my night ride at Hot August Nights, and I did fairly well.... I also stopped to take off my fogged up glasses, walked up a hill later on and took 0 hard sections. I had my best time at night. I didn't hammer, I just rode comfortably, smoothly, and concentrated on keeping speed up.
Yes, its fun to crush skinny dudes spinning in granny up a hill while you quadzilla your way up the same hill in a gear that's almost 3x taller, and sure its fun to hammer a tech section and watch them get further away, but you need to do this the whole race, not just when people are around.
The mini victory mindset means I'd slag off once I'd achieve one of these. Not this year. I need to look at overall time reduction over the course, not piecemeal everything out.
5. Crash Less... yes its funny, yes it hurts.
Crashing usually lead to skittish riding on my part. Or just damaging myself. This will be a big no no. Proper decisions and better skills trained over the winter at Joyride 150 will help fix this issue. Nothing can be said for really dumb tire washouts in Durham forest though. Effing sand.
So there we go. 2012 in a nutshell. Do everything like I mean it, train with passion, and pay attention to myself and my body on the bike.
Do this all the way to CTS.
Complete CTS....
.......... target BC bike race.
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