Inspirational Story of a Cyclist

My friend, Fraser Sharp was interviewed for this piece. He and I will race in Ironman New Zealand again in March. He is a very strong swimmer and cyclist, with a focus on qualifying for Kona. If you like to support his cause, please do so.

The Theatre Behind All Engagements

Theatre can teach us much about how we can live our lives. After all, Shakespeare wrote, ‘All the world’s a stage, and we are the actors…’ Life is full of its moments of drama, and this makes us engaged with them. The dramas involve conflict, relationships, how we relate to each other, and whether we resolve the conflict. In comedy or suspense, tension is followed by relaxation. Taking the director’s blueprint for shooting a film or directing a stage-play, we can cleverly apply it to our athletic pursuits. The four elements listed below describe how you can direct yours session with purpose and premise.

Scene: In the living-room (as per set-up).

Setting: Training for cycling (day or night); mindful that it is not noisy if it is in the late-evening.

Characters: You, the time-crunched athlete. Who else is around you, who may render assistance (get you another towel, fill your water-bottle, or watch out for your safety).

Situation: Training for a triathlon, and the weather is inclement. Need more bang-for-buck for each training session. Your training menu for the session is your script, so stick closely to your script.

Cycling Indoors & Ramping It Up

You spin the initial spin, and it is quite hard. It takes a short while for your wheel and turbo-mechanism to gather momentum. Then, you gather your rhythm and pace and it does not get any easier. Cycling without a change of scenery is hard on your mind and legs. The punishing heat and humidity does not help either. However, these reclusive sessions builds discipline and mental strength.

The set-up for turbo-training: fan, towels, water, HRM, and proper bike-mounting on the trainer. Notice my dropped wallet - thus, I could not order pizza on-the-move like Dean Karnazes.

You decide to amplify the intensity, which can be a premature move unless premeditated and committed to. Endless and mindless spinning leads to a fixed pattern that is hard to shrug off. You need to break the habit (of incessant spinning at a fixed speed/power unless you are doing an aerobic session) by doing something else. You insert a specific training set, be it a series of 30-seconds all-out sprints, or a more calculated 10-minute moderate pace with your highest gear. Of, you can elect to do a more challenging (and painful) 30-minute time trial on a high-gear. You can also create a hill, by raising the front wheel with a phone-book. You can create a ‘party mix’ of various permutations and combinations. Commit to these complementary sessions long enough, and you will experience new growth in your riding abilities. Come rain or shine, you will save time because your set-up is ever-ready for an aerobic session or spinning class!

However, there are repercussions. You will need to mop up a big puddle of sweat and other residue – evidence of a spent session. Such is the consequence of training in private. How to Ride Inside: Indoor Trainer Workouts for Cyclists.