Comments on: How Eliminating Recovery Rides Can Improve Your Performance http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-eliminating-recovery-rides-can-improve-your-performance/ Cycling Training Tips Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:16:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Pauly P http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-eliminating-recovery-rides-can-improve-your-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-80586 Pauly P Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:11:02 +0000 http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-eliminating-recovery-rides-can-improve-your-performance/#comment-80586 I like riding really easy on my recovery days because I love riding the bike. I think it is important to wear a heart rate monitor. I keep my heart rate below 120 on these days and limit the ride to 90 mins. This may be a little long, but if it's sunny out, I am catching rays! I like riding really easy on my recovery days because I love riding the bike. I think it is important to wear a heart rate monitor. I keep my heart rate below 120 on these days and limit the ride to 90 mins. This may be a little long, but if it’s sunny out, I am catching rays!

]]> By: Hans Jorgensen http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-eliminating-recovery-rides-can-improve-your-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-54848 Hans Jorgensen Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:45:27 +0000 http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-eliminating-recovery-rides-can-improve-your-performance/#comment-54848 Jim, I agree that those with limited time often try to optimize their performance by making a great % of their training higher intensity. I too that this can result in mental fatigue and everyone has to find the right "mix". My feeling is that more intensity can be handled physically and mentally if a proper base is created. The concept of periodization does allow for some intensity year round, but I don't believe there is a great deal of support by coaches for having a considerable amount of intensity all year long. Further to this are the discussions regarding recovery, which is even more important if the training program is predominantly intensity rather than a balance of volume and intensity. I believe that if an athlete is committed to a regimen of high intensity year round. recovery becomes critical. Jim,
I agree that those with limited time often try to optimize their performance by making a great % of their training higher intensity. I too that this can result in mental fatigue and everyone has to find the right “mix”.
My feeling is that more intensity can be handled physically and mentally if a proper base is created. The concept of periodization does allow for some intensity year round, but I don’t believe there is a great deal of support by coaches for having a considerable amount of intensity all year long.
Further to this are the discussions regarding recovery, which is even more important if the training program is predominantly intensity rather than a balance of volume and intensity. I believe that if an athlete is committed to a regimen of high intensity year round. recovery becomes critical.

]]> By: Jim http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-eliminating-recovery-rides-can-improve-your-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-54818 Jim Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:04:56 +0000 http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-eliminating-recovery-rides-can-improve-your-performance/#comment-54818 Jesper, I ride with power and have coached several people with power for the past few years. One trend that I have noticed is that the athletes that have less time to train, and train harder to get the fitness level needed to attain their goals to compensate, can not hold the peak fitness as long as the athletes that have a lower overall intensity for the season. I completely understand about needing to make the most of available time and we all have limited time. However, when one trains hard all the time and does not do any easy rides, I believe they start to experience something I like to call the "Whipped Dog" syndrome. You know, this is where every time you call a dog, you smack him in the nose with a paper? How often do you think he will keep coming when called? I think that pushing the pedals every time you throw a leg over the bike causes this type of reaction, as well. From what I have experienced, the higher intensity riding with no easy rides will create more mental fatigue in the long run, which will have an impact on how long one will be able to train at a high enough level to keep a decent level of fitness. Obviously, everyone has to find the right mix of intensity and volume to suit their needs. Jim Jesper,

I ride with power and have coached several people with power for the past few years. One trend that I have noticed is that the athletes that have less time to train, and train harder to get the fitness level needed to attain their goals to compensate, can not hold the peak fitness as long as the athletes that have a lower overall intensity for the season. I completely understand about needing to make the most of available time and we all have limited time. However, when one trains hard all the time and does not do any easy rides, I believe they start to experience something I like to call the “Whipped Dog” syndrome. You know, this is where every time you call a dog, you smack him in the nose with a paper? How often do you think he will keep coming when called? I think that pushing the pedals every time you throw a leg over the bike causes this type of reaction, as well. From what I have experienced, the higher intensity riding with no easy rides will create more mental fatigue in the long run, which will have an impact on how long one will be able to train at a high enough level to keep a decent level of fitness. Obviously, everyone has to find the right mix of intensity and volume to suit their needs.

Jim

]]> By: Jesper Bondo Medhus http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-eliminating-recovery-rides-can-improve-your-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-54810 Jesper Bondo Medhus Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:56:38 +0000 http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-eliminating-recovery-rides-can-improve-your-performance/#comment-54810 @Jim Thanks for commenting. It's just a guess and the number is taken out of the blue. It was meant to be a discussion starter but for some reasons you are the first to ask that highly relevant question: Where did that number come from? It was not my intention to make people believe it was a result from a scientific study. I've added a 'I guess' to the article. Best regards, Jesper @Jim
Thanks for commenting. It’s just a guess and the number is taken out of the blue. It was meant to be a discussion starter but for some reasons you are the first to ask that highly relevant question: Where did that number come from?

It was not my intention to make people believe it was a result from a scientific study. I’ve added a ‘I guess’ to the article.

Best regards,

Jesper

]]> By: Jim http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-eliminating-recovery-rides-can-improve-your-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-54808 Jim Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:58:28 +0000 http://www.training4cyclists.com/how-eliminating-recovery-rides-can-improve-your-performance/#comment-54808 Could you point me to the relevant peer-reviewed studies that showed 87% of all non-professional riders would perform better by taking the time off the bike instead of doing recovery rides? Jim Could you point me to the relevant peer-reviewed studies that showed 87% of all non-professional riders would perform better by taking the time off the bike instead of doing recovery rides?

Jim

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