Neil Donoghue Skills Coaching

A few weeks ago xcracer.com team rider, Mel Alexander, and I headed off to Coed Llandegla, North Wales, for skills coaching with World Cup Downhill racer Neil Donoghue. A report about our day can be found here.

Winter Training Camp, Club La Santa, Lanzarote

After nearly 8 weeks out of structured training it was a bit of a shock to start back up again! Apart from a 2 week bike free period, I carried on riding throughout October and November, but only as and when I wanted to – and only off-road. As it turned out, I actually chose to ride quite frequently and I visited lots of places that I don’t normally get to ride. It was really nice to ride with friends – without a heart rate monitor and power meter - and make regular coffee and cake stops, of which there were probably too many because over the 8 week period I managed to gain 2kg!

It was obvious when I was ready to start structured training again – the tell-tale sign being the day I went for a road ride just because I wanted to ‘get some data’ (i.e. heart rate and power info.). Data I got, but it wasn’t the data I was hoping for! Oh well, only to be expected after so many weeks out of training – at least I know that the training works! I went for a fitness test with my coach so that we could set my training zones before I headed off on a winter training camp to Club la Santa, Lanzarote. I decided that I wanted to kick off my training somewhere warm. This turned out to be a good decision because although we’d had a very mild and sunny November, plummeting temperatures coincided with my departure. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to just pack my bike and head off to warmer climates, and I do regularly remind myself of the people back at home cramming their training into short days; taking their lives into their hands on icy roads; wrapping up in so many layers that simply moving becomes difficult; and nursing chilblains in the shower. I feel for you, I really do.

So here I am, I’ve completed my first 3 day cycle of training, I’m well into my second, and I’m starting to get a cyclist’s tan. The first 3 day block was tough and the second isn’t proving to be any easier; the constant power of road riding really doesn’t give you anywhere to hide, especially when it’s on an MTB be fat tyres! I prefer to train on my MTB rather than a road bike because it means that I am training in the position that I race in and, in doing so, I’m using my muscles in the same way, it’s also harder and I like to make things difficult ;) The weather has been great, albeit a little windy at times, however the way I see it is it can only be a good thing if you have to pedal on the descents ;) I like the biking here because the roads are wide and smooth and the drivers (with the exception of some tourists) give riders plenty of space when overtaking. There are some nice road loops particularly in the hilly north where there is a great climb starting from Tabayesco, but the flatter south also has some nice loops taking in the Timanfaya National Park the landscape of which literally makes you feel like you’ve been transported to the moon! I’ve settled into a good routine and I’m starting to feel really relaxed. I’m cooking my own food each day which means that I can eat exactly what I want but I’m looking forward to trying out the new sushi restaurant here at Club la Santa. I love sushi :) I’ve got another 10 days here before I go home for a rest over Christmas, after which I’ll start another block of hard training.

Happy training!

Sal :)

Ten under the pen: xcracer.com mini interview series

I was recently asked to answer a few questions for xcracer.com's new mini interview series - here is the result.

Elete Electrolyte

I'm really excited to be working with Elete electrolyte again in 2012. I've been using Elete since I started biking and it really does work. Click here to see my rider profile and info on how and when I use Elete.

Lanzarote 4 day stage race and Cape Epic Training Camp

I've just signed up for the Lanzarote 4 day stage race on 28th to 31st January. I'll also be guiding and offering advice at the Cape Epic Training Camp 26th January to 2nd February :D

Torq Nutrition

I'm very happy to be sponsored by Torq Nutrition again in 2012 :D I've just received all of the energy drinks, recovery drinks, gels, and bars that I'll need to see me through my winter training. Thanks Torq!!! I'm really looking forward to trying the new vanilla energy drink.

Rest, recovery and fun trail riding

The last 7 weeks have been really good fun :D I like this time of year because I can ride where and when I want, giving me the opportunity to ride with friends and to search out amazing trails. I haven't followed a training plan and all of my riding has been off-road. I've ridden with some great people and found some brilliant trails in a variety of places including Sierra Nevada, South and North Wales, The Forest of Dean, Sherwood Pines, The Peak District, and The Surrey Hills. I've also had some technical coaching from Neil Donoghue at Llandegla, North Wales, which has really helped me to focus on essential trail skills (I'll write more about this soon).

Structured training starts again next week and I'm really excited to be heading off on a training camp to Club La Santa in Lanzarote, which is a great place for winter training with its smooth roads, amazing facilities, and lots of like-minded people. In the meantime I have one more week to relax before my 2012 training begins.