Hi there,
I'm curious how other racers warm up prior to a race. Not just those
who loosen up - that's what I do. I would like hear from those who
actually warm-up.
It occurred to me while watching Apolo Ohno (The Olympic short-course
speed skater) warm-up for a race. He (and several other) athletes were
spinning on stationary bikes.
I've found that for swimming my speed "switch" turns on after about
500-800 yrds in the pool. I've not found where that "speed switch" is
for my bike. For running I can easily do 45 minutes - 1hour worth of
interval training with no more than 7-10 minutes at a moderate pace.
I have found that doing a preview lap of a 6 mile TT does wonders to
improving my time. I found that the bike seems to be the place that
where I really need to warm up. But recently I was on a computrainer
and felt like my "warm up lap" destroyed me. Maybe I was going to hard
on the warm up?
So while I know I need some warm up, I'm always afraid that I'm going
to tire myself out - I can't see myself riding 24 miles before an
Olympic distance race for instance.
How do you warm up without hindering your performance?
-CF