7 weeks and counting

[Brahan]

I'm 1 week into an 8 week training block which will hopefully leave me in reasonable shape for an 8up TTT I've been invited to in Italy. The thing is, I'm the slowest by a country mile so all I'm in training for is to stay on the back wheel of the other 7 riders and maybe grab the front for a few seconds before I blow up in spectacular sytle!

Thankfully for a lard arse like me, the route is a pan flat 40 something kilometers with 2 turns so there are no hills to drag myself over but last year the guys averaged over 30 mph! Yikes!

Wish me luck, please.

 

[SimonC]

TTT = hell

All the best.

 

[ventoux50]

GOOD LUCK !


sounds exciting whats the event you're doing ? what's your training regime ?

Keep up the good work and stay focussed !

 

[Brahan]

Here's a link to the 2009 one. I don't really know much about it to be honest:

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/03/team-time-trial-michele-bartoli.html

It's exciting alright but I really need to get into shape.

My training has been mainly high tempo stuff: 25 odd miles daily commute and 1.5-2hrs on the turbo every day. Nothing too hard that it can't be replicated the next day at this stage. I'm not in tatters by the end of the week either so I'm being careful and not going too hard. 60-70 miles on a Sunday and circuit training chucked in for good measure too.

The weight is shifting, which is good as I'm currently 14 stone and need a lot more watts than the 10 stone whippet who'll be leading us out. The remaining training is going to be done on the TT bike in full aero position.

It's a pain in the arse having to get the turbo out and put it away every evening too. THAT'S what requires the most focus.

 

[ventoux50]

That looks excellent - very professional teams by the look of it !

Hope you all get to practice together before the day !

If you need another team member let me know !!

 

[Brahan]

Yeah, it looks really cool doesn't it. Proper start ramp and everyfink!

Let's hope this doesn't happen:
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQIAhIjZwWU

 

[Brahan]

Another 50 miles today.

Sheesh.

 

[dan_bo]

That looks a proper buzz- you'll be fit as a fiddle by the time it comes round! Good luck!

 

[Brahan]

Another week down. The sun as shining this morning as I rode to work, it was beautiful. I could have stayed out all morning. Why does work have to get in the way of riding? I've been turbo training on my TT bike to get myself used to the low position again.

I bought an adjustable stem last week which allows for a much lower position. Shoulders are much lower but there's a play off between aero and power. If I go too low then my belly gets in the way of my thighs which isn't good for getting the watts out. There's a lot of fine tuning that needs to be done here.

Anyway this week is going to be more miles and pain.

 

[Brahan]

The new TT position was crap. It felt goon on the turbo trainer but was awful when I took it in the the real world and onto the road. Head was too low and I couldn't really get the power out. I have myself booked in to a bike fitting next week. Will let you know how it goes.

I don't feel like I've progressed this week to be honest, just plenty of miles but not too much pain. Did 65 hilly miles yesterday @ 17.1 mph but went to the pub afterwards for a Guinness or two...

Does anyone know how long it takles to get a BCF license sorted out? I'm going to need one to ride.

 

[Brahan]

The training this week had tapered off slightly. Not so much hard stuff through the week on the turbo as I needed to save myself for a full 20 minutes of power to see if there was any imporvement from the figures I put out a month before. This session was done on Saturday morning and the outcome was positive, showing a marked increase in power.

I did my first time trial of 2011 yesterday, a hilly 22 mile effort. I'm not good on hills and I got passed by the eventual winner, who stuck over 8 minutes into me. Meh. This week's training is currently being decided, but with only 4 weeks until my trip to Italy I'm really beginning to worry.

 

[Brahan]

Three weeks to go. Time seems to be flying past - let's hope this is a good sign

I didn't really feel like I was on top of training last week, always seemed to be chasing my tail. One thing I'm finding about sticking to a weekly training schedule is that it's taking over my life. For the long term it really needs massive amounts of committment. Anyone thinking about getting a full time training schedule needs to be able to manage all aspects of their life effectively, this is the bit I have struggled with in all honesty.

 

[Brahan]

Well, at yesterday's funeral regarding this: http://www.egcc.net/display-items.asp?intTypeID=100&intItemID=641 we have decided to ride the event next year. We have a new team member and Michele Bartoli has has decided to run the event in memory of Brian. I hope we can do him proud.

 

[Ajay]

Oh my Lord, what shocking news.
I'm sure you will do him proud.