Greetings Readers,
After this weekend’s workouts, my body says rest! Whoa, are my legs feeling it! Running those stairs is surely going to help me come cross season, as is running in general.
As I’ve alluded too in previous posts, I’m a firm believer in recovery. Recovery consists of two things: Sleep, and a day off from exercise. I can pretty much guarantee the day off without exercise, but I can’t guarantee quality sleep. Insomnia can cause us amateur athlete’s problems. So in the event of a less than adequate night’s release of growth hormone, I reserve the right to take one, even two days off.
Some of you would argue that “Jim, you’re not riding enough, you have to push through those tired days” I disagree, for me 4 or 5 days out of 7 on the bike are plenty, any more and burnout ensues. In fact, I would ride too much if the inner coach would allow me too.
These are the struggles for those of us with real lives and athletic goals,
- Training
- Recovery
- Nutrition
It’s a tough job folks to get these 3 key ingredients in ample enough doses to give us an edge over our competition. After all: the basis for all athletic achievement is Good Health. Neglect one of these three, and you’ll not perform at your potential. There is another, (mental) and we’ll get into that on another post.
The two of these I struggle with the most are recovery and nutrition, it’s easy for me to get on the bike, I love to ride and I love cross, riding is pure bliss to me.
Getting adequate sleep however and getting good solid nutrition are where I struggle. I practice good sleep hygiene and still struggle with insomnia; can you imagine doing a stage race and not sleeping in-between stages? Or not getting enough protein, carbs, and fats to fuel your body? The dreaded Bonk is what you have to look forward to without proper fuel.
I don’t know about the rest of ya, but I can neither afford a pro chef, nor have time to cook up the right concoction of protein, carbs, fiber, and fats that my body requires. I can pretty much guarantee you I’m not getting enough quality protein and veggies to build up the muscles I regularly tear down.
So what’s the answer?
It’s a work in progress. It’s a never ending project without end, there is no closure.
Health and fitness is WIP. Fitness is never stagnant, you’re either going up, or going down.
I want to continue to slowly go up and peak in late Oct, then go down till February and start the climb all over again, each year. Cross is my goal.
A really wonderful physician once told me the body thrives on routine, it likes to workout a little, rest a little, workout a little, rest a little. This is my approach to training. It’s an on/off approach to exercise that’s very much subject to that two headed Boss: Recovery and Nutrition.
I can tell you that with good fuel, and good quality sleep, I will push the envelope with my body, if the Boss says you’ve not had enough sleep and protein, then the rides get cut short, or intensity gets cut short, or if need be, the ride gets canceled.
“Do the least amount of exercise possible to see continued results” Words to live by, Joel Friel.
This is what’s so tough for us Pack Fodder athletes, Managing Consistency and Intensity in our training. Coupled with Recovery and Nutrition, add the demands of job, life, and family, and it’s a formidable task indeed.
This is my blog: it’s the plight of my quest, the individual pursuit (track pun intended) for optimal health which is the basis for athletic achievement. It’s the ups, downs, joys, frustrations, workouts, training, and ultimately the Cyclocross racing. J
Plus, of course, geeking out on all things that are related to cycling. I love the Bike! J
Till next time……
Cheers!
