Are you bothered by the fact that...
Toks
Posts: 1,143
you'll probably never get close to realising your full atheletic potential. No its not an advert for a new performance enhancing drug and I'm not trying to deliberately start an argument. So good old fashion opinion is welcome alongside more scientific musings.
Yes I know a lucky few have a genetic 'leg up' on the rest of us. Personally I'd like to be 'stronger' but I simply don't train hard enough to elicit further gains. Obviously as someone that works full time 20-30 hours a week isn't really possible. And age is starting to work against me as well. Anyway I'm rambling, what do you guys think[:)]
The Merckx Diaries with Slieve Man's tasty 15% sections and 4km in length they'll be able to hear you breathing in Dublin City centre - believe me!
Yes I know a lucky few have a genetic 'leg up' on the rest of us. Personally I'd like to be 'stronger' but I simply don't train hard enough to elicit further gains. Obviously as someone that works full time 20-30 hours a week isn't really possible. And age is starting to work against me as well. Anyway I'm rambling, what do you guys think[:)]
The Merckx Diaries with Slieve Man's tasty 15% sections and 4km in length they'll be able to hear you breathing in Dublin City centre - believe me!
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It was appearent pretty early on in life that I wasn't going to make it to the top in any sport, so while it would be nice to maximise the potential, it obviously has to fit in around what pays the bills, and family. Actually find it quite inspiring to read on here what people manage to achieve despite having to fit their training in around work/family etc.0
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I had to choose between premiership footballer, pro cyclist, formula one racing car driver and working in financial I.T. with a nice comfy chair, twin monitors and a pension. No contest really. No honestly.
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Porridge not Petrol
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Bipolar disorder forums~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Porridge not Petrol0 -
If I fail my exams (or even if I do well and feel like it) I've persuaded my parents to let me get a full time job 3 days a week, and the other 4 days will be pure cycle training/racing in my year out, so that I can re-apply for uni and re-sit my exams.
I'll try to get to CAT 2 racer or above (if possible), scheduled 30+ hours a week on the bike should allow me to really fuflill my potential, and if i've got the skills and fitness I dream of joining a proper team...
If I acheived something then I may be encouraged to pursue cycling even more seriously and if not It's just another year out spent earning a bit of cash and getting some life experiences (would wander the world).
So I hopefully will be able to do that and if not then I'll still keep up the hours, but unless you can do it full time and have the determination to do it full time you will never really fuflill your potential.
Pride speaks, but Elephants listen..."I hold it true, what'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost;
Than never to have loved at all."
Alfred Tennyson0 -
If you want it bad enough you'll make the sacrifices. If you don't then you won't.
Of course, for some the opportunities are there and it is easy, for others you have to scrape through and struggle for everything.
Thats Life!
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<font size="1">Obsessed is just a word elephants use to describe the dedicated. http://markliversedge.blogspot.com</font id="size1">--
Obsessed is just a word elephants use to describe the dedicated. http://markliversedge.blogspot.com0 -
Toks, after a bit of surfing, I have a better understanding about where you're coming from.
Dont loose sight of you're short and long term goals, but dont expect them to be easy or straight-forward.
It's perfectly normal to question your own ability, I know I do. A bit of sustained self-belief goes a long way.
Take a step back, and remember what inspires you, and what motivates you.
http://www.teamvelosportif.co.uk0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by andyB</i>
Toks, after a bit of surfing, I have a better understanding about where you're coming from.
Dont loose sight of you're short and long term goals, but dont expect them to be easy or straight-forward.
It's perfectly normal to question your own ability, I know I do. A bit of sustained self-belief goes a long way.
Take a step back, and remember what inspires you, and what motivates you.
http://www.teamvelosportif.co.uk
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">Ha Ha Cheers for the suport Andy. I'm starting to realise that I'm really gonna have to work a lot harder for little improvements. 2004-2006 saw some impressive gains but 2007 hasn't been too hot. Perhaps its time to get a power meter or perhaps its time to accept my current level. Someone told me it take 5 years of coontinual training and racing to get close to your full potential. True or not, I like the sound of that so I'll continue pushing myself ever so slightly until 2009. [:D]
The Merckx Diaries with Slieve Man's tasty 15% sections and 4km in length they'll be able to hear you breathing in Dublin City centre - believe me!0 -
The only way to reach your potential.... believe in yourself
I had many goals when I was younger, I stayed focused on them, and I mean really focused
So by the time I was 21 ( 37 years ago) I was on a team with world records in the Guinness Book, been presented medals by royalty,etc
Your potential is in the mind. Not in training.
Believe in yourself.
Break the chains of your mind and you break the chains of your body too.
Johnathon Livingston Seagull
I know that sounds silly but it works. Sports Psychology is based on it.
Stick with it, if that is what you want.
If you want it, stick with it.
Good Luck
george
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I guess for most of us we took up cycling for enjoyment. Would it be as enjoyable if it was our career? I remember reading somewhere that Chris Boardman hated training, but it was a necessary part of being a top cyclist.
In the meantime, it's still 20+ years away, but I'm looking forward to retirement. Then I can actually put the hours of training in and reach my full potential. Some of the retired people in our Vets cycling club are still able to compete pretty well.0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Ian Sims</i>
I<b> guess for most of us we took up cycling for enjoyment. Would it be as enjoyable if it was our career?</b> I remember reading somewhere that Chris Boardman hated training, but it was a necessary part of being a top cyclist.
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I would agree with that also, I guess its the few that start at a young age and show big potential that make a career out of it. The rest of us are better at doing other things for a living...[:)] Then again, from a philosophical point of view, achieving the level that you do IS reaching your potential, after all you can't get any better than whatever level you get to.
<font size="1">Time! Time! It's always too long and there's never enough!</font id="size1">0 -
I'm not too bothered about not reaching my athletic potential because:
1) I don't think it would have amounted to much
2) It doesn't define me anyway.0 -
i wish my full time job and commuting to it was only 20 to 30 hours a week!
[:D][:D][:D]
There are many times to reflect on what might have been or what still could be but self belief is a big part of it
Jocksyboy0 -
Toks go for a power meter. Ive made some good fitness gains since using one. but in all honesty I havent been using it to the best advantage as this would mean sitting on the turbo a lot more -to dial in the trianing properly. Its amazing just how much time you actually spend in "active recovery" instead of tempo or some other level that would provide the hard sought after gains. When I get my trainer wheel fixed Im going to sit on the trainer every workout for a 8 weeks, excluding weekends ( nice to get out), and see if a proper program will actually work.
Nolf- 30 hours is a lot of training in a week, if you dont make it on that much then you never will. Good luck.
"People setting the pace too fast on the front are abused to slow down. Riders that do not share the work are abused. Riders that need abuse get abused and the abuse is done in every language so they get the message"0 -
I believe I might have come close 25 years ago to reaching my full potential with some performances that surprised even me. I think that when you get to that level it's difficult to keep motivated, which is why I stopped totally. Not even riding a bike, full stop.
Now I want to do it all over again. My club, the Kingston Wheelers, record for a "10" is still slower tham my own best time done over 25 years ago on a road bike. I believe that with disc wheels etc. I could get close again but it will take a couple of years to get there. If you want to do it badly enough then you must keep going!0 -
Hi Toks, I know how you feel, here am I still with no points at 4th cat, watching others moving up category, but I've made my peace with myself and ride for the enjoyment. I have accepted that I'm not willing to put in as much time as the others, I prefer to spend time with my family than train. I do believe that if I trained properly I could do a lot better.
Also my full potential was probably when I was younger but then again I wasn't into any sport at all then so its a mute point.
As jibi, says, I think self-belief has a lot to play, don't let a lack of form over a few months put you off, from reading your blog etc you seem to be spending more time with family this year, is this the case? It can be like a tug-of-war sometimes with conflicting desires, family time v bike time, I keep thinking that every hour on the bike is one hour less with my children but I still go out as I know now that that hour will not always be quality time and more than likely they'll go off and play with friends and then I'll be champing at the bit, having given up my cycle for nothing.
Anyway don't forget that now you're racng against faster people than last year when in the 3rd/4ths so it may only seem you're not going as well but if you hopped back into the 3rd/4ths you'd probably be up there again at the front.
On the 8th day God made a bicycle, and he saw that it was good. (actually personally he thought it was his best invention yet)0 -
No. There are [shock-horror] more important things in my life than cycling [shock-horror/]. As long as I am fit, strong and healthy (and relatively not-fat, with low blood pressure etc etc) I don't care. I am happy cycling with my partner, for fun. I've had a bit of a personal revelation recently. I DNF my qualifying 600 this year (so no PBP for me) despite doing two last year and feeling physically pretty good on the last one. I just didn't want to ride on my own or with strangers all weekend when I could have been having fun with my loved one instead. [:)] I've realised that the only reason I did two SR series last year was because I had nothing better to do. It's different now I actually have other things I want to do at weekends and people I want to spend that time with.0
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I think you've got to decide whether you would want to reach your full potential to compare yourself against others or just to see how good you could become.
This is an easier comparison in TTs as it is much easier to define performance than in RR.
But, if it is to compare yourself against others then they are probably not at their full potential either so is it a fair comparison ?
Most club guys train when they can fit it in between all the other commitments, so it's really a level playing field you are competing in.
I know I could do better with better training but with a job / family / social life / etc cycling has to take it's place.
The more successful you are the harder it becomes to maintain that level.
You've just got to be happy with your lot sometimes, that's the way I'm looking on it now, there will ALWAYS be faster / fitter guys out there.
Set a couple of targets and try to be content when you get there.
And BTW, thanks for the tips over the years !
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If it doesn't fit, force it
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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Commuter</i>
And BTW, thanks for the tips over the years !
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If it doesn't fit, force it
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<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">Hey commuter you're welcome, for the most part I've just passed on things that I've learnt from 'informed' others and that generally also worked for me. <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Kieran</i> Hi Toks, I know how you feel, here am I still with no points at 4th cat, watching others moving up category, but I've made my peace with myself and ride for the enjoyment. I have accepted that I'm not willing to put in as much time as the others, I prefer to spend time with my family than train. I do believe that if I trained properly I could do a lot better. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">Cheers kieran, I like your philosophy and for the most part I agree with you - especially where family is concerned. If you ain't getting paid to ride; haven't been earmarked for success or don't need to work then you can't really afford to be training 25 hours plus a week, which for some is what it may take to ride a 20minTT or become a 1st cat. No I don't need that life style but I am envious of those type of results. I know its not me though, even on the odd occassion I've done a 14 hour week it can get boring.
I guess essentially I'm asking whats the best you should hope for on 10 hours or less training per week. I'm fairly positive and think that you can do quite a lot on less than 10 hours. But currently my application is wavering a bit. Oh well, we'll just have to see[:)]
The Merckx Diaries with Slieve Man's tasty 15% sections and 4km in length they'll be able to hear you breathing in Dublin City centre - believe me!0 -
10 hours oe less per week, I guess does that includes commuting time?
On the 8th day God made a bicycle, and he saw that it was good. (actually personally he thought it was his best invention yet)0 -
"Are you bothered by the fact that...you'll probably never get close to realising your full atheletic potential."
No. I played another sport to a reasonable level before being forced, through injury, to stop.
I have always enjoyed cycling, but have taken it somewhat more seriously since the above injury. This seriousness has taken me to gaining an entry to this year's Etape and, so far this year, completing 3 sportives (with another 2 and the Etpae to come).
I have yet to join a club, but may well do. However, I recognize that (a) I don't have years of miles in my legs, so will never attain what I might have otherwise done and (b) I have a full time job, which obviously means my free time is restricted to the weekends only.
So, I shall continue to do as much riding as I can, but am happy that I will never amount to much with it as a "sport". Still, it's all god fun though.
Tom0 -
Before the power meter I would get yourself a Coach. Ric Stern told me he has coached Elite riders who have had only 8-10hrs a week to train.0
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Kieran and Nolf:
It is not about the time you put in, more about the quality.
Some people never reach their full athletic ability for many reasons, lack of will power, family reasons, mental weakness to name a few.
To all those who state using a power meter and coach, if you think you need this early on then you will not reach you max potential.
nearly all top athletes have reached a very high level through self motivation.
You can easily reach near to your max potential with basic training and common sense.
How did athletes years ago manage?
Ok they make small improvements after by using such additional methods and they can make a difference then as the difference between top athletes is very small.
On a slightly different subject but still relevent is I have seen some riders in sportive riding top spec bikes, campag record, dur ace on carbon bike and they weigh around 15 stone [:D] Now I think the best improvement there would be loose weight, top spec bike wont help when overweight !!
For cycling competitors motivation is very important as in my opinion it is the most physically and mentally demanding sport so self confidence is a must and is as important as physical ability.
Feel free to browse and donate:
http://www.justgiving.com/davidbethanmills
My winter and summer bike pics
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I think it's important to keep the sense of perspective with fitness. Half the British population die of heart disease and as a doctor I would be delighted I would be delighted if a lot of my patients were doing a tenth of what you are doing physically.
I try to remember that I can cycle faster than 99% of the population- and I try to forget that I'm always racing against the other 1%!0 -
Have to disagree - i used to ride full-time and I felt if not experienced potential/maximum.
My week was like this:- Monday 2hrs, Tues: 50mls 3hrs + or so including chainy, Wed: 1 or 2hrs Thurs: 50mls 3hrs including chainy, Fri 1-2hrs, Sat: rest mainly Sun: between 2hrs & 5hrs...
I'd this in the Summer from say April to Aug/Sept. after and between those times in the year 1 to 2 hrs every day mixed with running and swimming...
Health and Fitness is everything !
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Toks</i>
you'll probably never get close to realising your full atheletic potential. No its not an advert for a new performance enhancing drug and I'm not trying to deliberately start an argument. So good old fashion opinion is welcome alongside more scientific musings.
Yes I know a lucky few have a genetic 'leg up' on the rest of us. Personally I'd like to be 'stronger' but I simply don't train hard enough to elicit further gains. Obviously as someone that works full time 20-30 hours a week isn't really possible. And age is starting to work against me as well. Anyway I'm rambling, what do you guys think[:)]
The Merckx Diaries with Slieve Man's tasty 15% sections and 4km in length they'll be able to hear you breathing in Dublin City centre - believe me!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
[;)] 'tuono nel mio cuore...[:)][;)] \'tuono nel mio cuore...[:)]0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by yenrod</i>
Have to disagree - i used to ride full-time and I felt if not experienced potential/maximum.
My week was like this:- Monday 2hrs, Tues: 50mls 3hrs + or so including chainy, Wed: 1 or 2hrs Thurs: 50mls 3hrs including chainy, Fri 1-2hrs, Sat: rest mainly Sun: between 2hrs & 5hrs...
I'd this in the Summer from say April to Aug/Sept. after and between those times in the year 1 to 2 hrs every day mixed with running and swimming...
Sorry not sure what your trying to say but this still works out only 16 hrs max. [:D] thats not excessive
Health and Fitness is everything !
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Toks</i>
you'll probably never get close to realising your full atheletic potential. No its not an advert for a new performance enhancing drug and I'm not trying to deliberately start an argument. So good old fashion opinion is welcome alongside more scientific musings.
Yes I know a lucky few have a genetic 'leg up' on the rest of us. Personally I'd like to be 'stronger' but I simply don't train hard enough to elicit further gains. Obviously as someone that works full time 20-30 hours a week isn't really possible. And age is starting to work against me as well. Anyway I'm rambling, what do you guys think[:)]
The Merckx Diaries with Slieve Man's tasty 15% sections and 4km in length they'll be able to hear you breathing in Dublin City centre - believe me!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
[;)] 'tuono nel mio cuore...[:)]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Feel free to browse and donate:
http://www.justgiving.com/davidbethanmills
My winter and summer bike pics
http://oldwelshman.myphotoalbum.com0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by oldwelshman</i>
Kieran and Nolf:
It is not about the time you put in, more about the quality.
Some people never reach their full athletic ability for many reasons, lack of will power, family reasons, mental weakness to name a few.
To all those who state using a power meter and coach, if you think you need this early on then you will not reach you max potential.
nearly all top athletes have reached a very high level through self motivation.
You can easily reach near to your max potential with basic training and common sense.
How did athletes years ago manage?
Ok they make small improvements after by using such additional methods and they can make a difference then as the difference between top athletes is very small.
On a slightly different subject but still relevent is I have seen some riders in sportive riding top spec bikes, campag record, dur ace on carbon bike and they weigh around 15 stone [:D] Now I think the best improvement there would be loose weight, top spec bike wont help when overweight !!
For cycling competitors motivation is very important as in my opinion it is the most physically and mentally demanding sport so self confidence is a must and is as important as physical ability.
Feel free to browse and donate:
http://www.justgiving.com/davidbethanmills
My winter and summer bike pics
http://oldwelshman.myphotoalbum.com
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Interesting point's and I think I have addressed most of them, but a more technical training is definitely a good idea.
I think I've got Ok quality of training. I go out with the club (well exams at the mo make it more complicated but I will-) Tuesday, Wedensday, Saturday, Sunday with tempo endurance/ fast paced rides every other day (and sometimes in the morning of club rides)- comes to about 20 hours/ 320-350 miles a week. [8D] [:p]
I go out in literally all weathers, and if it's been torrential rain and I have a 3 hour ride planned, then I go a bit faster and take a gilet. I'm very ambitious and so quite determined to succeed.
Can't lose any weight, but I have a good healthy diet and haven't put on any weight since I stopped growing.
Mental endurance I'm trying to train up by long solo endurance rides (10+ hours) and very hard fast rides. Self confidence Needs improving as I'm very shy [8)][:I] but working on that.
How much would a coach or some kind of trainer cost?
I'm quite happy with my training at the mo, but would be nice to have some1 else give me a training schedule!
Also how much of it is sheer determination and ambition, and how much is talent?
Pride speaks, but Elephants listen..."I hold it true, what'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost;
Than never to have loved at all."
Alfred Tennyson0 -
"Are you bothered by the fact that...you'll probably never get close to realising your full athletic potential."
No
I am not an athlete
I train a bit so I can do audax rides within the time limit more easily. Being fit makes me feel better too.
Even if I got to 100% of my genetic potential I'd still be quite unexciting to follow in a race
Remember those intensive training sessions only add a tiny 10 to 15% on to what you can get from natural ability and a bit of general riding. Getting up at 5am and putting in 20 hours training a week will not make you into some kind of superman.
--
Drink your souplesse0 -
Oldwelshman:
Kieran and Nolf:
It is not about the time you put in, more about the quality.
Some people never reach their full athletic ability for many reasons, lack of will power, family reasons, mental weakness to name a few.
I would mainly agree with you here but there is a balancing act, high quality training still takes a certain minimum amount of time to train and time to recover. I found that when I upped training, after work, family life and cycle commuting I was feeling tired a lot and not really up to high intensity stuff as I didn't build in enough recovery time I think. I found traing late at night kept me awake for hours and lead to disturbed sleep, whereas getting up early (fitting in an hour between 6 - 7) left me tired for the day ahead). Problem was/is getting in recovery time, the way we have set up the school/work run thingy means I have to commute every day and 'race' to work as well so Sunday is normally my only full rest day.
On the 8th day God made a bicycle, and he saw that it was good. (actually personally he thought it was his best invention yet)0 -
In any field there is a certain component which comes from native talent and another that comes from training, education or practice. I could train like a lunatic but not get very far in cycling or any other sport. If one is young it seems feasible that one may become the next Armstrong or Beckham (substitute any other name as seems appropriate) while also giving Einstein or Oistrakh a run for their money. As one gets older one can see that this will not happen. Surely the aim is one's own development keeping sight of the constraints. Very few are professional cyclists, the rest balance cycling, work, family life, other pleasures. We are talking about life here rather than duty.0
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hey Nolf
are you a junior rider? if so do you take part in any junior national series races? and if not i suggest you do.
Kogan
check out my new site
www.freewebs.com/danielkogancheck out my new site
www.freewebs.com/danielkogan0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Toks</i>
you'll probably never get close to realising your full atheletic potential. No its not an advert for a new performance enhancing drug and I'm not trying to deliberately start an argument. So good old fashion opinion is welcome alongside more scientific musings.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
You may not. But with your experience... your children will.
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The obstacle is the path0
