If your cycling goals have climbing in them, you’ll want to tune into these cycling training tips! They’re focused on winter training, primarily indoors on a stationary trainer, with a power meter.
In the upcoming entries, we’ll dig into specific training workouts. Before we do that, there are a two principles I learned from Arnie Baker, MD, that I’d like to share. They’ve impacted my riding (and running) immeasurably. These principles are intertwined and essential anywhere you ride, whether inside or out, climbing or in the flats. They are uninterrupted focus and breathing technique.
Bob Roll once said during a Tour de France broadcast that when we get tired we experience a state of exercise endued amnesia. I love that explanation – it’s so true. As the race grows long and we teeter on implosion, we tend to lose focus. The burning desire to win or finish gets beat out of us, as our will succumbs to fatigue. This is when focus is most critical. But how do we remain focused?
As Arnie taught, breathing helps us achieve a rhythm and focus helps us maintain that rhythm. Professional athletes focus inward, rather than on outward stimuli. They continually focus on their breathing and monitor their status. The moment the pace quickens or we start to work hard is when the importance of focus and breathing kick in.
I’ve learned to make a song or a groove with my breathing that corresponds with my cadence during my cycling training. As the pace picks up, the beat changes but it still remains structured. The moment I feel panic coming on in a race, I regain control of my breathing and collect myself. How does this apply to cycling training indoors? Well, now is the perfect time to practice that skill. During long climbs, specifically, I focus on breathing, especially the exhale. Arnie suggested a pattern that is two breaths in, from the diaphragm, and a sharp exhale out from the mouth. He calls it the “Arnie Waltz” and it’s proven to be a great way to create a rhythm, fill my body with oxygen and keep me focused on the task at hand.
Do you have questions regarding nutrition, weight loss, training, or technology? I can help. Please contact iBikeBlog.
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