XC Racer Blog Post

Winter Training Part 2

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BY: Richard Jones

Published: 26th February, 2013


Winter Training Part 2


I had set myself the target of cramming December with some quality millage, as I know just how quickly the season comes around once we start the New Year. The months leading up too Christmas had gone very well I was feeling very positive about things. December was a good month with roughly 1350 miles ridden and some real good quality sessions in there too. The week of Christmas and New Year I had off training. Still rode here and there, but just relaxed and spent time with family. 


There were some notably brilliant rides but one of my favorites was just at the beginning of January. Myself and Lloyd Bettles drove to the peaks at the crack of dawn armed with our road bikes for an epic 100 miles around the Peak district. We followed the route of the "Tour of the peak" sportive. We both knew this would be a long hard day but the true quality of the riding shocked us both a little. We soon ran out of light but we were prepared with our Exposures to light up the road, however there was an unwelcome interruption with an hour to go of a heavy snowstorm. We arrived back at the van after 6.5 hours of some of the best road riding I have ever done, both feeling rather chuffed with ourselves. 


The long round ahead in peaks epic. 


Starting back we began what I'm going to refer to as phase 2. This is an adaption of the first months and introduces shorter higher intensity sessions. The dreaded turbo training is becoming more frequent. Rides are also notably shorter yet notably harder. For me this is when the real hard work starts, I could ride silly long distance with very little fatigue but those shorter top end session really take a lot out of me. I got some real good progressive weeks of training in and then took a few days off to recover. 


Something that feels so unnatural for me is the concept of resting. The second I rest I see Facebook statuses or Strava updates of how others are hard at work training and this just bugs me! Why am I sitting here resting when others are getting an advantage over me? Then there is the whole eating thing. I eat like a Horse (very fitting description) whilst training and not eating everything in my way when I am having a rest week is difficult.  I am sure I can safely speak for most of us that eating and drinking coffee is our second or maybe first hobby. 


So before we knew it was the start of February and only 7 weeks till the first national. Myself and good mates Scott Clipstone, James Hyde and Lloyd Bettles headed down to Coed-y-Brenin for a weekend of trails. We were incredibly lucky with the weather on Saturday, as we had nothing but clear blue skies and a warming sun on our back so off course we took advantage of this. 50 miles of Coed-y-Brenin's finest trails where covered before heading back to the camping barn to refuel and rest. Sunday we had clearly ran out of luck as we had nothing but constant rain, none the less we got a few muddy miles in and then retreated to the café for coffee. 


Dem Welsh hills!


Then it hit! My first illness since donkeys ago, just a cold but off course a proper mans cold not great but it was expected if I am honest. I took the decision to properly rest up for the week and just ticked over with some commuting and short rides. 


My motivation was hugely boosted by receiving our new XCRacer team kit. It looks brilliant and seams to be brilliant quality. Cant wait to get racing in this and I'm sure we wont be missed as it has a unique design and no its not GT style yellow and pink.


I am now in full swing of another training block and for the first time since November I will also start back at racing. This weekend I went to the Cannock Classic and then from that weekend on its either road racing or MTB racing up until the first national. I am really looking forward to getting started again. 


Its still a bit icey, This Ice sculpture is just near my house. 


I would like to take this opportunity to thank XCRacer and our sponsors MTZoom, Accelerade, Exposure lights and Simitar for their ongoing support. 


It seems like all the trend to embed you Strava page on the end of blogs at the moment so in true sheep fashion I am going to follow. 


"follow me on Strava"


Richard Jones. 

XCRacer. 

MTZoom. 

Accelerade. 

Scimitar Sports 





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This blog post was written by a third party and their views do not necessarily reflect the views of XCRacer.com

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