On 18 Dec 2006 09:33:42 -0800,
[email protected] wrote:
>I used to train somewhat scientifically with zones, etc, but I came to
>the conclusion that at the hobby level, there are so many other factors
>involved that overshadow by whole orders of magnitude any performance
>gians I may have realized by some structured, scientific approach to
>training that it wasn't worth it. I have since been using the Merckx
>"Ride lots" method. I ride almost every day, about 10-12 hours per
>week. On days I feel like it, I go like stink the whole time, and
>sprint the crest of every hill such that I am completely fried at the
>top. Other days I just cruise. No system at all, just ride my fixed
>gear 48x18 everywhere. No heart rate monitor, not computer, or
>speedometer. The improvement has been huge. 2 years ago when I started
>riding again I could put out about 260 watts at my threshold. A year of
>moderatley scientific training got that to about 290W, where it stayed
>for a while. Three months of "Ride lots" and my output is now I
>estimate at 400W. The power is just there for the taking. At an elite
>level the margins are so thin that nobody really has room for big
>improvement, but not so at the hobby level.
>
>Joseph
Hi Joe. This is the idea I'm trying to get across in another thread.
I think there is a breakout factor in training (and in weight management)
at about the 10 to 12 hour per week level of training.
As you mentioned you tried other methods, but you were probably only
logging about ~7 hours per week. (15mph x 7)
It may be at the higher level of 10-12 hours per week the caloric
expenditure vs the efficiency is high enough that it's not easy to
(over)eat enough to exceed output such that there's a negative balance.
Thus diet becomes less meaningful (though still important).
It may be that for some people who have problems with carb weight
gain/addiction, at this level, you can switch over to more carbohydrates.
I do know that when I push it up from riding 100mi/wk on the flat, to about
140-160 mi/wk, the weight starts coming off. This is on the flat. I think
I'd have other problems with 160 hilly miles.
It may be easier to up it to the 'ride lots' level and get into negative
calorie balance that way then to try and cut the calories while doing less
riding, regardless of the tempo.
Thanks for sharing.