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2015-01-23 2:18 PM


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Subject: Bike Training Advice
I am relatively new to triathlon. I am a strong runner and swimmer and did both competitively in highschool/college. I am not a great cyclist. Up until now, I've gotten away with training for the bike leg of my tri's just by doing a couple of spin classes a week. I've done reasonably well in the tri's I have done due to my run and swim background, but my bike really lets me down. I would like to do a 70.3 and become more competitive in the Olympic tri's as well. I recently joined a triathlon studio and have been coached sessions with a group on the compu trainer (it's very cold where I live so outdoor training is not an option) 2-3 times a week in order to improve my bike leg and hopefully be able to do well in a fall 70.3 (as well as in my summer tri's).

The coach at the club has me focusing on my pedal efficiency (which was initially terrible from relying on spin classes) and keeping my heart rate in the 120-130 range for the duration of the ride (1-1.5 hours) whilst I base build. I am finding the training really frustrating and I feel like I am losing fitness by doing these rides at such an easy effort. The coach wants me to keep my training in that zone for a couple more weeks before I increase the effort. I don't know whether I should stick with this or find another group or potentially find an online plan and train by myself at home. I am wondering if any experienced triathletes have a sense of whether what I am doing is good training, or a waste of time. Any advice or comments are appreciated!





2015-01-23 5:18 PM
in reply to: runningfi

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Subject: RE: Bike Training Advice

You might very well be losing fitness. Sounds like you're an accomplished athlete with the swim/run background, so why you need this "build a base" I don't know. Was there an injury or something? Coming off a long time with no training? Building a base should include higher intensity efforts as it's a base of well rounded aerobic ability. Someone who has done nothing at all may do better by gradually building in and learning to have some sort of training load on, but that doesn't sound like you.

2015-01-24 9:34 AM
in reply to: runningfi

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Subject: RE: Bike Training Advice
It sounds to me like your coach wants you to focus a bit more on technique before moving on. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. I've done a bit more technique work this off season and it is making a difference in my riding. Are you only riding right now? If you are still running and swimming, you should be maintaining fitness there as well. If all else fails, talk to your coach and ask him about the rationale of the lower intensity training. Share your concerns with him about losing fitness, and if he's a good coach, he'll have some answers for you.
2015-01-24 4:33 PM
in reply to: tedjohn

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Subject: RE: Bike Training Advice

Definitely have a good talk with the coach. I'm not seeing the "technique" part. On the bike this is really not a big deal as the movement path is fixed. You learn quite a bit simply by riding a lot and riding hard. Some bits of info here and there can be helpful, but the really should not be dominating the time. If you really want to work on technique, then extend out the warm-up time some and do some things there to get some better habits in. Then do something like 5 x 5' hard with 1' easy between each. Cool down with a few minutes of easy riding after. That's about an hour of riding and has both a decent section of hard work and technique work in it.

2015-01-26 4:26 PM
in reply to: brigby1


11

Subject: RE: Bike Training Advice
Thanks for the advice. I am not coming off injury but I have had a break from "hard" training since the fall. I've been running, swimming and riding but only recommenced run workouts in January. Good point about talking to him - as it happens, after I posted this he did step me up and I did a tempo ride on the weekend and he encouraged me to push my watts, so that is good. I broke a sweat and feel better about myself. I think your right in that I need to just be assertive about my training and ask questions when I need to and not worry about being a cycling newbie. Thanks again for the advice.
2015-01-31 10:11 PM
in reply to: runningfi

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Northern IL
Subject: RE: Bike Training Advice

Well that's good to hear!



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