QUESTION: I need your advice on my training schedule. I work 4 consecutive days of 13 hours each, then have 4 days off when I have unlimited time to ride. I usually do 2-4 hours, but especially on the first day I feel sluggish. I just turned 50, and my fitness and endurance seem to be on the decline. How can I turn things around, given my weird work schedule? -- Rick … [Read more...] about Am I Doomed By My Age and Work Schedule?
Cycling Past 50
How Should Older Riders Train?
By Coach Fred Matheny Question: I've been racing for four decades, averaging about 700 hours of training each year. But now I'm 59 and sometimes feel the motivation is just not there. I heard that a 67-year-old finished El Tour de Tucson (111 miles) in 4:51. He had significantly reduced his on-bike training to 4 days per week and lifts weights the other 3 days. Do you … [Read more...] about How Should Older Riders Train?
Can I Train Effectively Despite My Age and Work Schedule?
Question: I need your advice on my training schedule. I work 4 consecutive days of 13 hours each, then have 4 days off when I have unlimited time to ride. I usually do 2-4 hours, but especially on the first day I feel sluggish. I just turned 50, and my fitness and endurance seem to be on the decline. How can I turn things around, given my weird work schedule? -- Rick … [Read more...] about Can I Train Effectively Despite My Age and Work Schedule?
How Can I Climb SteepGrades Faster?
Question: I'm 5-foot-4, 128 pounds and 55 years old. When climbing in the hills around Palo Alto, California, I keep up with younger, stronger riders until the grade gets above about 8%. Then I go backwards. This seems to be a strength issue and I've been doing low-cadence, big-gear intervals. Should I add weight training? -- Harry P. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: At … [Read more...] about How Can I Climb SteepGrades Faster?
Is This Time Trial Training too Tough?
Question: I'm training for the World Senior Games 40-km time trial in October. My two critical weekly workouts are intervals descending from 7 minutes down to 1 minute, each done harder than the previous one. I also do a pyramid workout featuring 4x2 minutes at 90% of max heart rate, 12x1 minute at 92%, and 12x30-second sprints. In mid July, I'll begin doing 3-minute … [Read more...] about Is This Time Trial Training too Tough?