There are various things relating to training that may not be covered specifically within other sections. These are things learnt from experience and certainly approaches that over the years have worked.
For a start I am a strong believer in training being progressive. I start with my first race date and work backwards from there ensuring that I build general fitness, a strong aerobic base, strength and speed, in that order.
I prefer to train for three weeks and then have a rest/recovery week adding to the intensity of training in the next three-week section. This approach works well as you are just about working in calendar months and each month from January has a specific purpose or purposes.
As well as working in 3-week segments I also prefer to split my weeks training into 3 days, rest/recovery day, 2 days, and rest/recovery day. When I refer to a rest/recovery day this is perhaps a short recovery ride or a short run. However if I am really tired, I just rest.
An age thing, but I take a protein recovery drink after most training sessions over 90 minutes on the bike and 40 minutes running. I take a carbohydrate drink during training rides and gym sessions and rides over 150 minutes also see at least one banana stuffed in my pocket.
I'm a strong believer in the use of a heart rate monitor having used one now for about 8 years. My current heart rate monitor is a POLAR Accurex with download facility. For a wide selection of the best heart rate monitors from POLAR, click the name.
This year I intend to ride to work as often as possible, these will be recovery rides on the way to work, though rides home will invariably be training rides unless on a rest/recovery day/week when the ride home will also be a recovery ride.
I train on a fixed wheel bike during December, January and February believing this helps my pedalling stroke, helps build strength and souplesse into my legs.
My geared training bike is a Dawes Galaxy and if I am riding by myself there will usually be a pair of panniers with sand in them giving a bike of circa 40lbs in weight, no lightweight. If I go out with "the boys" I have to resort to a geared bike weighing about 24lbs or I take the fixed wheel and they have to wait for me.
