What are you training "for"?

WHAT AM I TRAINING FOR?

This is an important question and will be different for everyone depending on where you are at in your sporting journey! 

For the competitive athlete, not having an answer to this question is how an unemployed person feels when asked, "What do you do?" For many athletes, training toward a seasonal goal is a big part of their lives; it defines a piece (sometimes too large) of their identity and helps maintain the balance and structure in their lives. The past year with all the uncertainty this question has been asked more and more each week by athletes 

When the pandemic happened. My “A” goals got canceled, a fully booked season of guiding got canceled. Gyms closed. Schools closed. Everything shut down! Left alone with my thoughts and no real cycling “purpose” I found myself unable to shake the thought that I needed to continue training for more than just the sake of cycling, I needed to train for my life.

I technically don’t have any training goals right now, but every week I am logging somewhere between 10–20 hours. I’m technically not training “for” anything specific, but I am motivated and inspired to cycle for a purpose bigger than myself. I am training for life.

I am training my immune system.

I am training my lungs to breathe deeper and harder and to replenish my cells with oxygen.

I am training my mind to let go of anxiety and fear.

I am training my heart to be strong and protect me from heart disease.

I am training my muscles and bones to endure pain and recover.

I am training my metabolism to stay hungry and keep me powerful.

I am training my brain to produce endorphins to keep me energized and upbeat.

I am training for LIFE.

SO WHAT ARE YOU TRAINING “FOR”?

Whether you are new to the sport or racing for many years your training will be very different for a 25 mile TT or the Wicklow 200. identifying these elements of performance and working towards these will bring you the best quality results in the fastest possible time. Every year is different, everyone is different and this is why it's so important to have a coach or at least some guidance from an experienced source.

Do you, train for fun? for health? for performance? to get to the Olympics? 

Knowing what you want from training is the first step. Set a clear goal.

Are you new to the sport or training/racing for years? No matter which one the questions are all the same.

Make a plan, set the goals, identify strengths and weaknesses, and work on all of these holistically. There are many many factors which contribute to a winning performance and this can take years of preparation and work for some and come more easily for others.

Have a great day! Strap on those runners or throw your leg over a bike and move forward. You are ALIVE.

Ciao for now!

Coach Zippy.