Recently, on a ride, I was told that “it is hard to mimic race efforts in training”. When it comes to mimicking speed-work , many find this to be true. However, there are ways produce speed-work training but you need to have the resources. The easiest way to practice going fast without racing is motor-pacing, or just the right kind of group ride. . Motor-pacing is drafting behind a motorcycle or scooter to mimic racing speeds, its hard, and its fun, but it frequently requires a velodrome to do it safely and may be difficult to do on open roads.
As far as mimicking non speed-work efforts, you just have to fin the right terrain. The right hill can help you accomplish most if not all of your training goals. In a race, you should only be pedaling, working hard, or going hard when the time is right. Working in the correct break, working for a teammate, jockeying for position before the field sprin, or making sure you arr int he right spot before the big climb so that you don't get caught out when the field splits. The rest of the time you should not be pedaling or going hard. You should be drafting, sucking wheel, hiding in the field, and conserving energy.
In training, it is frequently the opposite. You should be going hard! This is not to say you shouldn't have rest days. But if it's not a rest day, then HTFU and do the workout. If you are training for a race with 10,000 feet of climbing, you'd better get your butt up some hills. If you need to hit 400 watts repeatedly over a 30 minute period, you'd better find a way to make it happen!
Personally, I'm trying to race more competitively this season. This means on days when “I'm just not feeling it”, I need to suck it up, and make it happen. Cycling is a hard sport and on the days I decide not to do my training, there are 80 peers of mine that chose more wisely. Like coach Chris Daggs always says, “There is no try, only do”.
Below is a video of my repeat climbs.
If you need help to get motivated contact us
See you on the road,
Coach Jesse Eisner
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