Tapering will cure training hangovers
I was talking to a friend this week about my Coast to Coast training and the art of tapering off before an event, something I can’t say I have ever really had to do.
They put it very well when they said ‘‘training is a lot like a good night out drinking - to have a successful night you need to know when to stop’’. How true that is on both accounts. In the weeks leading into events, many athletes can push the panic button and over train. This ends up doing more harm that good on your body, your mind and general ‘‘match day’’ fitness.
Just like having one more drink on a night out, that extra bit of training can often be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
So with one week out it is time to start thinking about tapering off our training and just having a fairly relaxed run through to next Friday or Saturday.
It is only our insecurities about our preparation that would make us seek those extra hours on the bike, kayak or running in the hills - so in short, just chill.
The first question anyone asks me about my preparation is ‘‘are you nervous’’. No, not one bit.
Not because I am a super athlete and am going to blow the record books to shreds, quite the opposite. But I am confident that I am going to achieve my own personal goals I set very early on. So be kind to yourselves this week and know fully well you have come a long way in both your mental and physical fitness ahead of such an iconic event.
Heck, we are about to tick off the Coast to Coast! I remember hearing about this event as a kid and seriously wondering how competitors could even toy with the idea. For those doing the oneday event you’ll be able to skite to your children, nieces orr nephews about how you were once fit. For us two-dayers we should skite too, because not everyone has put their hand up do to it.
I was told by a few Coast to Coast competitors of days gone by that confidence is perhaps the most beneficial trait for those of us on race day. The best athletes are wise enough to let their confidence guide them to the finish line.
By now all of us competing should be well prepared and know what it is going to take to complete this thing and feel satisfied with our efforts. We all have different goals, times to set and reasons for doing it.
❚ We all know we are fit enough, and you’d be surprised what adrenaline and excitement does to your energy levels on race day.
❚ For the majority of amateur cyclists, normal training should stop 7-10 days from your event and be followed by a short taper.
❚ Training is stress, and in the short term it causes fatigue, which suppresses performance. Reap the benefits of your training by reducing workload and let your true fitness come into play.
❚ Where your fitness is now, is what you’ll be working with race day. With one week, no combination of workouts is going to significantly boost your sustainable power.
❚ You can only control rest. So rest.
❚ Great sleep, easy workouts, and good food - simple as that.
❚ Retain just enough stimulus to keep the body primed and ready to go.