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Pirate Mentors / Mentorees 2011
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I did all my long IM training rides on my own and only stopped if I needed to pee or change a puncture - much better training than dawdling along stopping for cakes
cakes are over rated anyway - I'd rather eat a mars bar on the bike
Sit behind someone faster then. I take your point but I think people differ on this one - I can do reasonably long - say 50-60 miles - solo rides fairly hard but they are less fun and harder mentally than the same effort done in a group. Not getting left behind by your mates is always a good motivator and a bit of company makes the time pass quicker.
whoops - x post with the one over the page - think it was Bassy.
training for long rides on your own or with someone whose a close match at least is also good mental prep for race day when you are very much on your own racing
Hello All!
Happy to mentor someone if they need it. Happy to give advice on any aspect of training and racing and whilst I wouldn't want to set a plan I'd be happy to review one as necessary.
I completed my first IM in 2006 (Germany) in 13.26 self-coached and then did very little tri training for four years. I bounced back in 2010 with IMCH in 12.43 followed by the little matter of a Double IM two weeks later (32.16) which went really well and I totally enjoyed!
All of my exploits have been self-coached and I have realised that you can achieve much more than you think and don't have to do crazy distances to prepare for IM or even Double IM. I would rate myself as a middle of the pack athlete but I also have an MSc in Sports Science so can get a bit more down in the weeds if needs be. Definitely not going to be any use with any bike mechanical questions though unless they are SUPER basic! 
I do agree Melli - getting the right group is the key - or solo - it's about getting the effort for the duration right. I tend to opt out of certain local training rides these days and sort my own rides with a few others - if we do stop it'll be towards the end of the ride and then the bit afterwards is just an easy ride home - the training is done first.
Winter I do a steady group of our chain gang but do a lap solo first so I end up with 45-50 miles without going into the red - I'd just find it hard to go out on a wet, cold, Tuesday evening and do that route on my own. It has taken a few years of being into cycling but I've learned to use the local rides to suit me rather than letting them dictate my training. I couldn't do it for 12 months though - some of the year I set aside just to do whatever is most fun.
Take the point about the need to focus for a long solo event - inevitably there will be times when I can only get out at times that others can't so I get enough solo stuff done - I can see why that's necessary.
I agree about the mental toughening bit but I also feel more motivated going with company....and I clearly remember fb beasting a few of us on a long Cotswold ride....
Having said that, you do really need to endure a few shitty days out on your own when things aren't going well....if you train hard the race gets easier...
...(how fecking trite was that???)
Happy to throw my services into the mix. Done 4 x Ironman (Switzerland, Austria, Lanzarote and Bolton). Doing Nice next year and targetting 12 hrs. Based west wales, love beer and food so out there with the more balancing act guys, rather than hardcore diet and train!!!
Agree with above, group rides are great but in perfect world, for IM you need a couple of long solo rides. Not only for mental toughnes, but to get your own personal pace right. get this wrong on the day and the marathon becomes rather long!!!!
I wouldn't disagree with any of that Dooz. It might be a bit scary sounding / advanced for total beginners. I'm sure those that have advocated solo riding here have done so as a contrast to 'riding with a couple of friends chatting, stopping to wait for people and having multiple cake stops' rather than as opposed to joining the local chain gang for 3hours hard tempo riding.
I agree that people can neglect hard riding. Basically we're both saying make your training effective. For some people that is going to mean riding alone rather than bimbling with a friend. Definitely for me I benefit from trying not to get dropped by Mike and I think mixing with a few good cyclists will do me good.
Group rides very useful for confidence and also so you actually think about how far you can go. Just best to be able to get with people of the same ability or who are willing to keep at the same pace as you.
As for cake stops? For training overrated, might you my version of a cake stop involved a pint mug of tea, a very big slice of cake and a fag.
As for cake stops? For training overrated, mind you my version of a cake stop involved a pint mug of tea, a very big slice of cake and a fag.
There is a excellent cafe in the peak district that sells tea by the pint and legendary to all that bike/run/climb/cave around those parts, was just talking alond about it. Sorry for the daft refferance. You go out do the miles and get a cup of tea before having to go back.
A reward for a good days training very useful but save the reward till after you have fineshed the training.
I think the definition of group riding can vary from one perspective to another. What I meant by essential, is more of a training partners, friends aspect to drag your arse out of the door on those cold winter mornings for 3-4 hours. Admitedly, some very determined people probably dont need to have someone to do that, but the vast majority of people are more likely to train if they are meeting others. That 'group' definition I also class as going out in pairs/threes. I just think itas a long winter to train on your own all the time.
Many cycling clubs arent actually that intimidating, and are quite friendly. At mine for example, the winter club runs are very slow, ave 15mph (to some of you this will sound fast, but in a group it really isnt). The faster riders tend to have there own training ride every sunday, which is still steady (relative) at about 18-19 mph. It just doesnt have a cake stop. Chain gangs are a different story altogether and should be avoided by beginners at all costs.
Joining weekly winter club runs are a good way of meeting new people, getting steady miles in and learning new routes, and training tips of some worldly old cyclists.
Grindleford station cafe? I know it well. I lived in Sheffield from 1986-1998 and walked up and down Padley Gorge many times.
I would have thought that all you folks can help/advise each other along without needing individual mentors. I dont follow any schedules for any of my running or Tri stuff, but plenty of forum folks offer me valuable advice when I ask for it.
I do all of my training on my tod, but then I dont do Iron distance stuff, my longest runs are 20M and bike rides are 60M. Mark Allen makes his athletes go off and live and train alone for some of their training, so they get to really know themselves.
me too! i pre-prep my dinner (that's lunch to you
), put the oven on the timer and sit down at the trough after a hot bath.
blimey, I think I'd forgotten cold, wet winter rides.
Oi! You know it's out of my hands. I've frickin trained for the vit with a great big neuroma in my foot, gone through having new cycling shoes, new trainers, 2 different sets of orthotics and steroid injections - I ain't doing an IM till it's been dug out. So until I've begged the surgeon to fit me in asap after the vit, I'm not comitting. I'm just hoping I'm not being over optimistic... Surgery before mid November, 2 weeks off completely on crutches, 4 more weeks taking it easy (able to swim & build up cycle & walk/run), then start training - at latest new year?
So anyone want to mentor someone who's very logical & will have to work out why something doesn't work, or why it does work, will be recovering from surgery, and whose weakest discipline is running? (wow, I'm really selling myself) .... On the plus side, I absorb info like a sponge, I will practise & practice things until I get them right (I've knocked 15mins off 1500m swim in 4months).
I reckon Cake was refering to the woodbine in Hope, Grindleford cafe's more reknown for their breakfasts than cake. Both are fab, you've got to love all the signs at Grindleford! I'm defo all for cake stop at the end of the ride - there has to be a reward