English
The last 2 weeks since my last blog has been a real mixture of highs and lows. The weather has been fantastic for riding and I’ve managed to take full advantage. I’ve covered plenty of miles in the New Forest, which is truly magical at this time of year. With my sportive season only a few weeks away “saddle time” has been my top priority. I’ve managed to get some 4 hour rides in, which were impossible earlier in the year and although many of these rides have been pretty lonely experiences they are going to have a positive benefit during the season.
At the start of last week I paid my regular visit to my nutritionist. Progress on this front up until now had been slow. However last week was different. A large drop in weight and waist measurement gave me a huge boost of confidence. I had worked really hard on sticking to my plan and it was great to see the results. I left Surrey in high spirits. I was still on a high as I arrived at the swimming pool later that evening for a session with the Southampton City Masters. I had only been in the pool a number of minutes when I managed to swim, on my back, head long into the wall.
Yes I know it’s a stupid thing to do. Many people have been quick to offer advice on how to avoid a re-occurrence. Anyhow, I spent the next 4 hours in Southampton A+E and ended up with 4 stitches in the top of my head. The pain was minuscule when compared to my embarrassment. And no! I will not be swimming in my Catlike Whisper next week!!
Prior to my visit to the nutritionist I had decided that perhaps I needed a little more assistance with my training. I’ve mentioned before that I had managed to introduce some structure to training this year, but I felt I needed more. I had spotted an advert for a mobile lab testing opportunity in a cycle magazine, so I contacted the company. I eventually arranged to meet Helen Carter (curiously the same name as my sister- but not actually my sister) from PBScience and her mobile lab at Fleet services at the end of last week.
Helen put me through 2 tests inside the lab (which is a converted camper van like the ones you see on the side of the road at the Tour de France). A ramp test to establish my lactate threshold was followed by a Vo2 max test to establish my efficiency. The tests revealed that I am not an elite athlete. I did already know that, but now I have it in writing. What the tests have provided is a solid base from which Helen has been able to produce a training schedule for me that has a specific goal for each session all centred around the ultimate goal of producing an inspirational performance at the Marmotte sportive in July. Having a coach written training plan represents the final piece of the jigsaw for me as I attempt to make sure that 2010 is a season to remember.
The help I’m getting from Wiggle and Verenti bikes is already making this season something to savour and when I received my very own set of lights from Exposure I was thrilled.
I have the Toro and Joystick for pointing forwards, teamed with the redeye and the redeye micro which make me very visible from the rear.
Having such an extreme quality product like the Exposure lights have unlocked a new training slot in my day too. I have been able to extend a number of training rides into the darkness and have felt safe doing so.
Pro Tour races have been like buses this last couple of weeks. You wait all winter to watch to watch a stage race and then two come along at the same time. Luckily Sky+ has meant that I can watch both Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice (Although Mrs Carter has failed to share my excitement).
At Paris-Nice Alberto Contador looked in ominous form. The way he skipped away from the field at the steepest part of the race showed that he will be, once again, the man to beat in the longer stage races. Anyone beating him in July will surely win the Tour de France, but I can’t see past the Spaniard. He looks set to dominate the maillot jaune for many years to come. Whilst I enjoy watching Contador, especially in the high mountains, I do think that it’s a shame that he will only be able to use his skills to dominate the long stage races. Gone are the days when a rider was just as much in contention at Liege-Bastogne-Liege as he was in the Giro for instance. Cadel Evans, and perhaps Andy Schleck have the skills, but unless Contador picks up an injury I can’t see any rider pulling off a Grand Tour-Classics (single day) double off anytime soon. This has made me ponder who the last rider to do this was? Perhaps you can tell me?
At the time of writing I’m 3 weeks away from my 40th Birthday. I’ll get at least one more blog in, whilst I’m still in my 30’s. In the mean time ride safe.
Rich
