For those familiar with the bible.

[ghixon]

The Mountain Biker's Training Bible that is. I have a question regarding a long break between races.

My last two scheduled races are Rim #4 August 17th and the Big Bear Classic October 12th. Basically I have 7 weeks between races. Is it a better idea to start over at the Build 2 stage and go from there or is there a better way to go?

If I start back at Build 2, I can get a full 6 weeks of training in and still have a 1 week period for the last race.

OR - should I do a race like the Eling Park race on Sept 28th to keep in the same routine that I've been following?

Since this is my first year racing, I wasn't too sure about how exactly to go about a layoff like this. Any help would be appreciated!

Greg

[Kid A]

forget all that horsesh!t...and just drink more beer j/k good luck with the training/racing!!!

[vlad]

Do Elings Park. Besides narrowing down the racing gap its a very fun venue. The first race there was a blast. Plus you get So Cal State Series points.

The weekend before that, however you also have the Big Bear single day State Championships. Probably the best race of the year. Doesn't add up to the State Series points, but USA Cycling takes it as the single event to crown state champions in each category. Finally, if you didn't do the Big Bear Shootout #1 earlier this year, this race will give you a feel of what Big Bear XC racing is all about. Altitude and a long long course.

You probably have the sight already but further on all above at www.teambigbear.com.

Finally, you have the Cal State Triple Crown Series starting with a race in Bonelli Park on Oct 2.

Good Luck!

[denmother]

NMBS Finals at Brian Head - http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...=2008-8-30&c=2

Elings Park - http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...=2008-9-27&c=2

Southridge 17th Annual Challenge - http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...2008-11-22&c=2

[ghixon]

Thanks. I did Race1 this year at Elings and loved it. I guess I'm going to Santa Barbara again - darn....

Did the Cal State Championship on Sept 20 get moved? I thought it was in Los Olivos. I am lucky enough to be able to ride the Shootout course all the time (with varying degrees of success). So it should be fun to do the Championship and the Classic races on basically the same course.

Thanks for the input.

Greg

Originally Posted by vlad

Do Elings Park. Besides narrowing down the racing gap its a very fun venue. The first race there was a blast. Plus you get So Cal State Series points.

The weekend before that, however you also have the Big Bear single day State Championships. Probably the best race of the year. Doesn't add up to the State Series points, but USA Cycling takes it as the single event to crown state champions in each category. Finally, if you didn't do the Big Bear Shootout #1 earlier this year, this race will give you a feel of what Big Bear XC racing is all about. Altitude and a long long course.

You probably have the sight already but further on all above at www.teambigbear.com.

Finally, you have the Cal State Triple Crown Series starting with a race in Bonelli Park on Oct 2.

Good Luck!

Thanks Nancy!

Originally Posted by denmother

NMBS Finals at Brian Head - http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...=2008-8-30&c=2

Elings Park - http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...=2008-9-27&c=2

Southridge 17th Annual Challenge - http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...2008-11-22&c=2

[denmother]

Originally Posted by ghixon

Did the Cal State Championship on Sept 20 get moved? I thought it was in Los Olivos.

Yes, it got moved due to financial difficulties. It was at Northstar, then Los Olivos, now Big Bear.

California State Championship
Sept 20-21
Big Bear Lake, California<-- new location
Cross Country

[ghixon]

I'm afraid to ask where it might get moved to again - Chula Vista?

[rushak]

Us doing the state series have the same problem. The next race on the calendar is Elings Park (Sep. 28th). A whole 8 weeks from the last race in the series which was Rim Nordic #3. I just stick to my normal training routine, but I do have a week vacation in August where I will not be on a bike at all.

Personally, If I were you....I would skip the Elings Park race since you are not battling for points in the State series and save yourself a tank of gas plus entry fees.

Oh yeah, and if you aren't racing in my class, then definitely go...lol!

[lukewiens]

greg, i think it depends on where you are in your overall cycle. i take it you started with base then moved to build to peak for the rim nordic finals?

most athletes will go back into an informal base and then build period to extend their season. i plan for this every year. the only thing to watch out for is mid season burnout. most of my regiments are about 5-6 months with a goal race to peak for. then i will go back to base3 then build 2 for another 2-3 months. once you start hitting the 8-9 month period you will likely become burnt out on training/racing and the regimented schedule.

if you are at that stage, a 7 - 10 break might be a good idea before getting started. fitness will start to deteriorate after a 10 break from training. if you have only peaked once so far this season, take advantage of the fitness you have built up, continue to train, and race your @ss off right now.

[ghixon]

Thanks Luke!

The BB Classic is my final race of the year. That pushes my year to 7 months and honestly, I'm done.

Rim 4 is my third and last peak of the year so I was trying to gauge whether it was worth it to peak again for the Classic. All my A priority races are done after Rim. I'm really only going to race at BB because it's Big Bear and it's heck of a lot of fun.

I'm going to be riding the So Cal Series next year so this year was a great learning experience. For future reference, is it a good idea to schedule a B or C priority race in-between long stretches in time between A priority races?

Greg

Originally Posted by lukewiens

greg, i think it depends on where you are in your overall cycle. i take it you started with base then moved to build to peak for the rim nordic finals?

most athletes will go back into an informal base and then build period to extend their season. i plan for this every year. the only thing to watch out for is mid season burnout. most of my regiments are about 5-6 months with a goal race to peak for. then i will go back to base3 then build 2 for another 2-3 months. once you start hitting the 8-9 month period you will likely become burnt out on training/racing and the regimented schedule.

if you are at that stage, a 7 - 10 break might be a good idea before getting started. fitness will start to deteriorate after a 10 break from training. if you have only peaked once so far this season, take advantage of the fitness you have built up, continue to train, and race your @ss off right now.

[lukewiens]

sure yeah....just adjust your training reg appropriately to accommodate a little post race recovery. the way i figure, b and c races are always beneficial....unless you are doing a bunch during your base focus.

b and c races help create that comfort level for your A races...plus, you can't simulate the race environment/pace in training. i usually like to schedule 1 per period, just to stay tuned and motivated.

[Upsidedown1]

I am on my last build. I miss calculated by one week so I am adding one more week into this last build period then my recovery week. I am focusing on the BB State race to peak on. All of the Rim races were just "C" races except #3 was a "B". I just train right through them like they were training days...anaerobic ones....but none the less training days. I started out a little late with the Bible (Mountain Bikers Training Bible) so next year I get to do it completely from the get go. Having a blast this year being my first year of racing and basically riding. Have fun with it most of all.

P.S.:Hos do you like those gels?

[Zippy]

What Luke said...

If you have a high level of fitness and you've been training for a few years, you can extend a "Peak" to last 2 weeks or possibly a month. If you have two high-priority races back-to-back, this may be the best way.

Otherwise, you should only plan on two "Peaks" in a year and take a mid-season break. At the end of the season, your break can be 2-8 weeks of unstructured training. It helps you recharge both mentally and physically.

Last; do not "let yourself go" in the off season. Relax, yes, but do something.

Hit me up if you have any more questions.

Eric (Level 3 USA Cycling Coach)

[Upsidedown1]

This is why working with someone is beneficial. We as newbies try and do to much and sometimes to little in our training regimen. Having someone coach you gives you structure and balance to your workouts......and most importantly consistency. To all those who help out, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

[ghixon]

My fitness is high/intermedite at best right now. Like I said, this is my first year racing/training seriously so I lack the knowledge base to work off of.

It seemed that once I commited to following the training schedule and really bought into everything, that's when I started to see results. If I can keep mechanicals out of a regular race, I think I might really be happy.

After the BB Classic, its back to fun rides and some more group rides with STR~

Do you do any sort of coaching/mentoring during the off season?

Greg

BTW Clint - The E-fuel and E-gels are working great. I did the BB Shootout course over the weekend. The last few times I ran the course, I set a few waypoints for time checks along the way. This past weekend, I was consistantly ahead of my base times and I felt alot better as well.

Originally Posted by Zippy

What Luke said...

If you have a high level of fitness and you've been training for a few years, you can extend a "Peak" to last 2 weeks or possibly a month. If you have two high-priority races back-to-back, this may be the best way.

Otherwise, you should only plan on two "Peaks" in a year and take a mid-season break. At the end of the season, your break can be 2-8 weeks of unstructured training. It helps you recharge both mentally and physically.

Last; do not "let yourself go" in the off season. Relax, yes, but do something.

Hit me up if you have any more questions.

Eric (Level 3 USA Cycling Coach)

[Zippy]

PM sent...

[lukewiens]

Another great book to check out is the Ultimate Ride by Chris Carmichael. I use the fundamental principles from Joe Friel's Bible, Ultimate Ride, and what I have learned from Lynda Wallenfells resources.

I figure it like finance...if you diversify you are better off in the long run.

You may want to look at Lynda's premade plans on Trainingpeaks.com <<< LINK

She makes it pretty simple for ya.