At the race on Sunday, a young hill climber asked for some advice on training for hill climbs. I just about managed to blurt out ‘you could try some intervals’ I was probably more concerned with deciding how many home made scones and jam I wanted to eat – my mind seemed to go blank – how do you actually prepare for hill climbs? I couldn’t really remember. I don’t think I’ll make a motivational speaker or cycling coach. But, if you get stuck for any cycling question, one of these three answers will usually suffice:
- - intervals
- - core strength training
- - But, road tax was abolished in 1936.
Intervals seems to be the answer for every cycling training programme. Though I rather like the reply of one cycling wit, who said he did really hard, 110%, eye-ball out intervals, he just left a gap of one year in between them.
But, after a few days to think of a more useful answer. I would add to your intervals, try and enjoy it. That may sound like a contradiction in terms – how can you enjoy something that is inherently painful and tiring? Perhaps enjoy is the wrong word, but at some level you have to look forward to training, you have to enjoy the experience, if not in the usual pleasure-seeking way. At least you need to get some kind of Zen like satisfaction. If it’s a routine, if it’s just ticking off a training programme, it will be hard to summon up that extra zip and motivation to transcend your previous efforts.
Photo Adrian Shingler, Glossop Kinder Velo
In the past couple of years, I’ve made steady progress. I’m pleased because I’m already edging towards the magic 40 (where life begins, but the physical starts to deteriorate, we are told. – Though watching the 42 year old Chris Horner dance away from the leading contenders in the Vuelta yesterday is a great boost for us who are looking forward to competing in the VETS categories.)
I think a very important factor in making progress (especially at the higher end of racing) is the ability to have a deep motivation. You have to really love the sport to make the sacrifices and do all that interminable training. It’s no good going through the motions, you need to treat effort session as a great opportunity to make progress and enjoy it. That also means making sure you get the right balance between training and recovery. If you over-train, you won’t enjoy.
Another thought which crossed my mind yesterday was – I can’t believe I’ve got 6 or 7 weeks of intense interval training left. It’s already been a good season. In a few weeks, other riders will be hanging up their racing wheels and taking a few well earned recovery rides to the local cycling cafe. But, for the hill climb championships it’s eyes balls out until the bitter end. I decided the best way to approach the season is to take it day by day, week by week. If you think of 7 weeks of permanent intervals, it’s enough to put off even the most determined and enthusiastic hill climber. To use a great football cliche ‘Well, we’ll just concentrate on the next game.’
In the snake pass post, I left a comment - ‘never believe a hill climber, who says he eats donuts and fried marsbars‘ Perhaps I should add ‘never believe a hill climber who says they enjoy it.‘ Maybe, when you’re doing a hill climb, it it’s a very painful experience, but there’s also something that pulls you back for more. ‘Please Sir, Can I have another go?’
Related
- Hill climb training – slightly more scientific approach
- Thoughts on hill climbs - more random thoughts
- 12 and half reasons to enter a hill climb
Fame at last!
That’s me giving you some encouragement (not that you seemed to need it) at the Snake Pass climb. I rode it today in almost exactly twice your time
Nice to meet you Nick.
Age is just a number, a guy in our club who is 62, does Ironman Triathlons in under 11 hours. Elite athletes such as yourself Tejvan will always be able to compete at a high level, I think the only deciding factor is the desire to do so.
‘never believe a hill climber who says they enjoy it.‘ Of course you enjoy it, it may be a bit masochistic, but you enjoy it otherwise you would not do the amount you do, especially in the unpaid ranks.
I love my hill intervals, especially after taking your advise and climbing longer ones but with a bigger rest interval. My one today is a 15 mile ride out to it and then 3 reps ( 1.8 mile @ 5.5% with 8 min rest in between) and then two big climbs (for our area) 2.3 & 3 miles @ 3% flat out on the way home, 40 ish miles and tired legs, but it gives a purpose to go and ride.
My biggest problem is, I haven’t the courage to put myself into the red zone, I don’t think people realise what guts it takes to do that, to ignore the brain when it tells you to stop. Climbers such as yourself Tejvan can do that and that’s what sets you apart from other equally as fit riders.