CF Update: Oct 8

The Crucible

Final numbers: 15 total days, 13 days of riding, 57:35 in the saddle and 1097 miles.  Final observations coming next week.

Coming in 2004

The end of the season is just a few days away and frankly I’ve been thinking more about ideas for 2004 than I have for my little race next weekend.  The short list includes:

• Redesigned homepage.  Jon and I fired this up about 2 years ago and it’s time to hop it up a bit.
• Improved email newsletter.
• More training articles, including the monster “Training with Power” Article that is long, long overdue.
• Clinics and camps: Ironman specific clinics in LA, Atlanta and possibly Florida, as primers for the self-coached athlete.  A local clinic series, presented in a Triathlon 101 format, but also offering topics for more advanced athletes.  Training camps on the IMCDA and IMWI courses.  And finally, The Crucible, a four day high volume training camp.  My athletes and I are planning The Crucible, SoCal, for Memorial Day weekend: a swim clinic, 330 miles of cycling and a long run in four days. 
• Based on the success of my IMCDA and IMWI training programs, Brandon and I will offer improved versions for local athletes racing in Cali Half, Worlds Toughest Half, Wildflower Long Course, and IMCDA.  Comprehensive training plans at tb.com, message board and email support, monthly meetings and clinics, as well as group training opportunities, uniforms and discounts on the training camps above.  Other group training opportunities may open up. 
• Adding phone coaching and consulting to the cf.com list of training services.

Help Support My Training with Power Habit

I have one eye on an SRM for the Calfee and another eye on a host of other good training gear to sell. 700c Powertap wheel, adustable Powercranks and a Computrainer 3dPro  It’s all going on Ebay soon, but I want to give the list the first shot.

Force and Aerobic Threshold

After Endurance, the most basic fitness component for the cyclist to develop is Force, or the ability to produce a forceful muscle contraction. To push the pedals harder.  Force development is especially important for beginning cyclists, but we can all use a good amount of Force development.  In my opinion, cycling strength is largely limited by Force production, not aerobic conditioning.  At some point the muscular system is the limiter, not the aerobic engine.  I believe low cadence cycling is an undervalued and under-explored training tool for Force development.  Full article

Thanks for your support,

Rich Strauss