tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post3561419553328941708..comments2024-03-21T03:15:06.288-04:00Comments on Cozy Beehive: What are the Pros doing? How do they train? - Part 2Ron Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394865788996482667noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-31102478090197964102008-01-10T21:39:00.000-05:002008-01-10T21:39:00.000-05:00Aki,I'm sorry I may have misunderstood. I'm having...Aki,<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry I may have misunderstood. I'm having mixed feelings about the genetics vs training idea.<BR/><BR/>I'm kind of being prone to believe now that you may have plateaued in your power abilities. I mean I'm sure it gets harder at this point without a doubt (since its Cat 2/1) but this is where one has to go for some really advanced training methods to break that comfort zone. <BR/>This is why I'm being slightly arrogant in feeling that there must be something, something you can do to beat the 'genetics' slammed out by your friendly 'rivals'. <BR/><BR/>I'm not at all sure what your training methods are, how long you have been riding, over training signs etc. If you haven't tried motorpacing, try it. I know my Italian coach of 73 years old who still races in Master's championships (in Italy) uses those techniques.<BR/><BR/>Listen to your body at all times. I guess thats the point of a training diary.<BR/><BR/>Third, I want to ask whether you have been using strength training 'enough'. Try continuing limited amounts throughout the season.<BR/><BR/>Look at your nutrition (protein, iron balance). Try combination of foods that give longer time release of energy (like a high glycemic index with a low one). Try a few supplements just for the feel, like sodium phosphate (some research has proved its 5-7% effect on aerobic capacity) <BR/><BR/>Something has got to give! Thats my point. Damn genetics. I'm sure you can break the cycle my friend (no pun intended).Ron Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394865788996482667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-8133051060942759202008-01-10T21:19:00.000-05:002008-01-10T21:19:00.000-05:00I saw your comments on the SDC blog, and at first ...I saw your comments on the SDC blog, and at first I thought maybe you misunderstood my point (i.e. genetics determines peak potential performance). I thought this was the case when I saw that you criticized my comparing genetic ability factors to building foundations since we understand foundations but not genetics.<BR/><BR/>However I never said <I>what</I> genetic factors would determine peak cycling performance. I don't know how foundations work, nor do I know how genetics works. However I can make observations about some cyclists in general, and they show, to me, that there huge genetic factors at work. My observations aren't proofs, I know that, but I felt compelled to share my views.<BR/><BR/>My hematocrit example is one that illustrates that one variable doesn't make the racer. My 'crit level is beyond pro level but that doesn't make me race well. I think my power output relates more to my potential as a pro (or not). A Cat 1 that I know talked about doing intervals at wattage levels I couldn't hold, yet for him it was reasonable to do 5 or 6 reps at such intensities (500-600 watts on a PT). His late race attacks are astonishing 900 sustained watt efforts - I'd be dead after 20 or 30 seconds. So he has something I don't, some ability to perform work that is beyond what I've been able to perform. I've never placed in the Elite Nationals but he got third one year, and fifth as a Junior.<BR/><BR/>I watched "kids" with very little training blow me away in a local time trials. One "kid" became a good friend. He, a now-ex-pro, talked with me a lot while he was struggling for many years to break into (unsuccessfully) the Div 1 ranks. He and I would go out for rides, talk about training, discuss his coach's recommendations, etc. He wanted to help me improve and he wanted to bounce ideas off of me. For some reason I was the guy he went to advice. Nothing earth shaking about his training. Lots and lots of motorpacing.<BR/><BR/>In fact, the one constant I heard from the ex-pro and the Cat 1 (as well as reading other pros' reports (Lemond in particular before important events) etc is that motorpacing seems to be a preferred way to peak for an event. The ex-pro motorpaced a lot - I own his car now and the rear bumper is just grooved with all the tire burn marks - and he also had a small motorcycle set up with a roller. The Cat 1 also motorpaced a lot, his dad (an ex-racer himself) doing the driving. In fact the father told me that the motorpacing is what got his son in shape for both the Nationals where he placed.<BR/><BR/>Both of their potentials, even as young as 15 years old, was enormously different than mine.<BR/><BR/>Within the world of cycling (i.e. no longer taking into effect socio-economics) there is a definite difference in riding abilities. Although there are those like Greg Lemond who can make a list and check off his goals one by one (Worlds, check, Tour, check, etc), when I tried the same thing I didn't get very far. I guess that that's the point I want to make.Akihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00430651087205849350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-18098123450104073582007-12-14T10:20:00.000-05:002007-12-14T10:20:00.000-05:00Will,Thats why Africans run and play soccer. Its c...Will,<BR/><BR/>Thats why Africans run and play soccer. Its cheap!<BR/><BR/>Yes, you struck gold right there. Champions are not born :)Ron Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394865788996482667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-24353179793483010762007-12-14T08:35:00.000-05:002007-12-14T08:35:00.000-05:00Interesting topic.I think that some sort of predis...Interesting topic.<BR/><BR/>I think that some sort of predisposition has to be a small but important piece to the puzzle of who is fastest/stronger. But clearly there are lots of other factors (dedication, hunger, socio-economic background, parents support, etc).<BR/><BR/><BR/>Maybe if East Africa had better roads, a history of loving bike racing, etc. they would be winning bike races instead of long distance running.<BR/><BR/>Also a little luck - maybe I would have been the greatest hockey player ever - but it was too expensive when I was growing up to play.<BR/><BR/>Maybe if ice hockey wasn't so expensive (equipment, ice rental) and soccer/basketball so cheap, there would other shifts in who played which sports. etc<BR/><BR/>Regardless, the champions have done more than just been born with talent.Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07841627220298561319noreply@blogger.com