Getting racing fit

[ian bradbury 400]

Today i attempted my first race at goodwood,Enjoyed it but suffered and only completed 10 laps of 13,2 things are very apparent,1 nowhere near fit enough even for a geriatric,2Total lack of racing knowledge.So with this in mind here are my questions,1Is there any litriture i can get my hands on to help with fitness training and nutrition.2Besides the club run on saturday how many more miles per week to start should i be pushing.3I,VE A RESTING HEART RATE OF 46 BEATS AND MAXIMUM RATE OF 208 BUT A QUICK RECOVERY TO 90 WITH IN MINUTESWHILE STILL CYCLING BUT NOT UNDER LOAD.Anybody who can help with what more i require to improve before i next race in september.

[Tony]

First thing to say is almost everyone gets dropped in their first race and the fact you enjoyed it is the most important thing. Well done for getting out and having a go (far more than I have done for a little while now). Provided you are basically healthy, have the desire and a bit of common-sense, then there is zero reason why you can't be competitive as 4th Cat.

Roughly, how many hours per week can you afford to spend training? Difficult for any to offer any suggestions without knowing this. Are you basically in reasonable physical condition?

[Sylv]

I've got two good books (by E.Burke and Jeudeukreup (spelling?)) that I'm almost done reading, that cover all aspects you might want to know about - nutrition, training, aerodynamics etc, if you fancy borrowing them.

Are you not planning on racing anymore till Sept??

[Toks]

[quote="ian bradbury 400"]Today i attempted my first race at goodwood,Enjoyed it but suffered and only completed 10 laps of 13,2 things are very apparent,1 nowhere near fit enough even for a geriatric,2Total lack of racing knowledge.So with this in mind here are my questions,1Is there any litriture i can get my hands on to help with fitness training and nutrition.2Besides the club run on saturday how many more miles per week to start should i be pushing.3I,VE A RESTING HEART RATE OF 46 BEATS AND MAXIMUM RATE OF 208 BUT A QUICK RECOVERY TO 90 WITH IN MINUTESWHILE STILL CYCLING BUT NOT UNDER LOAD.Anybody who can help with what more i require to improve before i next race in september.

[Andrew G]

The easiest way to help get yourself race fit and improve race savviness(sp?) is in races. The more you do the more you'll learn, and the more race fit you'll become.

Racing, of any sort, is completely different from riding your bike. You have to learn to really hurt yourself and you'll find you can push yourself much harder than you thought. Some people are better than others at it but everyone can improve at it.

Unless there's a particular reason why you can't race until September then have a go in the Palace or Hillingdon Tuesday series (whichever is more convenient for you) when they start up at the end of April. They are a simple and easy way to help you improve if you can do them regularly.

[Toks]

[quote="Andrew G"]Unless there's a particular reason why you can't race until September then have a go in the Palace or Hillingdon Tuesday series (whichever is more convenient for you) when they start up at the end of April. They are a simple and easy way to help you improve if you can do them regularly.

[quote="Toks"][quote="Andrew G"]Unless there's a particular reason why you can't race until September then have a go in the Palace or Hillingdon Tuesday series (whichever is more convenient for you) when they start up at the end of April. They are a simple and easy way to help you improve if you can do them regularly.

[EdO]

Ian, I'll be over at Hillingdon on Tuesday evenings and this Saturday. I will try and keep it consistent unlike last year where I did only two and crashed out on the second one.

Check out the britishcycling events calendar it has all the latest events listed at Hog Hill, Crystal Palace, Hillingdon and Surrey League etc.
Hopefully see you racing some time.

Cheers

Ed.

[Paul on the Pearson]

Howdy Ian...
Check to see if there are any races at Dunsfold??? It's the site Top Gear use...its pan flat, not technical..no sharp corners, but very very windy. As a circuit its a bit boring, but you ain't going there for the scenery!! I just found it was a great confidence booster as its fairly easy to stay with the bunch and will be good experience riding close to other wheels and getting a bunch finish. If I could keep up there you can!!