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Training in the Base Phase

Base training is the root of all your plans. It is where your training starts and stems from. It is simple but often done incorrectly. If you want to get all of the potential out of training the base training must be planned and monitored then executed successfully. If you want to know what type of training is included, and how to do it you will want to read on.

How to rate your fitness level

Fitness Blood TestThe first part of your training season that you need to consider is the base training. Serious competitors begin their training more than a couple weeks before their season begins. You need to begin by asking yourself some questions.The first question to ask is, “what level of shape am I in?” This question can be answered by placing yourself in any one of five categories. These five categories are:

  1. I am a successful cyclist, I have completed entire seasons of cycling for each of the past several years, and I train year ‘round. I never take more than two or three days of rest except during my recovery periods on my training schedule.
  2. I usually take a portion of the year away from cycling, but I have completed one or two seasons successfully.
  3. Last year was my first season of competition, but I ride most of the year. I take an occasional extended break from cycling, but I want to improve my abilities.
  4. I have only been cycling for a few months and I am not usually too serious about cycling. I rarely train for competition and take many extended breaks from the sport.
  5. I am new to cycling with no previous experience with an endurance sport. I do not train year round, I have never competed before and this is the first time I have considered training for competition.

Guess your fitness level

You will need to make an educated guess about your fitness level and experience. The first category is for people who consider their selves to be avid cyclists who train all of the time. People in this category would have the fitness of a top amateur or professional athlete. People in the fifth category would be anyone with a very limited amount of experience who only rides a few days a week in the better part of the riding season.

All of the other categories are in between. This will also be helpful in determining your base training. After you have decided which fitness category you are in you can begin to create you training routine and schedule. The lower you rate your fitness level the higher you need to set your goals. The number one would be considered the highest rating and the number five is considered the lowest.

Written by alastair · Filed Under Training