Arno from South Africa asks:I started cycling about 5 years ago to get fit and lose some weight. Enjoy it tremendously and would like to improve my performance. Last year (1994/95) was my best so far, but would like to become more competitive. Completed the Argus Cycle Tour - our major "funride" event of 105km in a time of 2:49. to finesh in the top 10% of the field of 24 000 finishers.Problems are as follows:
1. Still overweight - 6ft 2in +/- 100kg (my fault i know but working on it)
The Coach responds:well you have all the classic constraints. work, age and kids.the two things that worry me though initially are not these things. it is your weight and point 4 - (which you yourself put in capitals). i can advise you on the technical aspects of putting together a good program given 2 and 3. i work very long hours am 43 now and still train hard (i follow an elite version of the programs i am developing for graded vets). so i have an idea of how to do the best with less time and other commitments. but what i don't know how to do is to help you lose weight or to help you get motivation. the two may of-course be related. my programs are quite hard and are aimed at the serious racer rather than the casual bike rider. they require some will power and some determination. you will feel tired and will have to get up early on some days i think. it requires that you have a goal, accept that it is immovable and go for it. MOTIVATION - comes from within, it is your challenge.
Arno continues:Right what am i doing now -- Everything went well till July, our winter, competed regularly and stayed relatively fit. Then caught the FLU your Rugger Buggers brought here - of the bike etc for at least a month -- Started "riding" again - went to gym and hurt my back. ONLY able to start riding again on the 25/09/95 - so here we go - the pain of getting back to where i was.At this stage riding to work (+/- 15km fairly flat) and if time and weather allow a little more in the evening after work. Where do I go from here?
The Coach responds:Arno, this is a big ask! the goals you can achieve will depend on how much time you put aside and how hard you work within that time. my feeling is that you should first of all work out the hours per week (by day and composition within the day) that you are prepared to devote to training. then we can set some realistic goals for you and then we can tailor a program to fit the time.My programs are tough and require around 15 hours per week. i can modify them to suit a smaller "budget" but with loss of performance implied. So lets proceed that you send me a mapped out typical month of working and family commitments. this will allow you to put down the times you are on call and etc. Make a note of when and how much time you want to ride. my motto is once you set the goal and the times then you stick to them always (only stopping with sickness). never compromise on the time you allocate yourself. so if that is to be achievable the times you "give" yourself for riding must be in your own heart realistic. when i have them i will talk to you about what is possible to maximise your potential. Just sitting down and working out a time schedule will test whether you are really motivated to do it or not. and remember that as a veteran rider you have to have balance in your life - family, work, rest, riding. i dont live up to this myself. i work and ride too much and rest too little. the family comes in the middle. but i know that i should strive for more balance myself. |