Out spokin': Ready to race? Now to prioritize your season
- Details
- Created on Monday, 14 March 2011 19:23
- Written by Nathan
By DAVE McINTOSH
Editor's note: McIntosh is a Senior Coach for Carmichael Training Systems and has been racing road and track bikes in Colorado and around the country for more than 20 years.
Through four parts of this Getting Ready for the Season series, I’ve talked about getting your body, mind and equipment in order. Now it’s time to look forward and prioritize the competitions and events you’re going to participate in during 2011.
Prioritization is important because there are a lot of great events throughout Colorado, and it’s impossible to have your best performance at every one. Your fitness will change through the next several months, and it’s helpful to categorize races and events so you can manage your expectations and use certain events to prepare for others.
I like to put races into three categories: C-, B-, and A-level races.
Your C races: These races should be viewed as training sessions, before which no taper is involved; you might have even done a 2-4 hour training ride the previous day. These races, I believe, are as important in the grand scheme, as the races for which you’re peaking. Your “C” races are great for testing your fitness and pushing your personal limits – going off the front time and time again, trying new tactics, getting a really strenuous workout. The outcome might not be what you’d like – you might even get dropped – but the point is to learn something about yourself in the process, as these lessons will serve you well in your peak events.
Your B races: These are races that would allow for a slight taper and are usually clustered around your peak event. To ensure you’re rested and ready for these weekend races, your rides after Tuesday or Wednesday should be shorter and include a handful of short, high-intensity efforts to keep your body primed for performance. The goal is to race to win in these races, but they are “B” races because they are not as important/valuable to you as your “A” races, and they are scheduled when your competitive fitness is good but not optimal.
Your A races: These events are the ones you build your entire season around, and the ones you’ve used your “C” and “B” races to prepare for. You need your “C” and “B” races because they provide intensity and circumstances you can’t replicate in training. Your “A” races are the ones you are peaking for, and the ones in which you want to put forth your best performance. These races have been the focus of the season, and are usually met with a full taper, beginning two weeks prior to the event itself.
If we look at successful pros, they use a progression of races to bring themselves up to the optimal level necessary for success in one or a small number of target races. Therefore, it’s important to recognize that you might not be on the podium at every single race you ride. For some athletes this can be a hard pill to swallow but think of it this way: you can be mediocre all season long or you can prioritize your races and be spectacular in the events that mean the most to you! Keep your eye on the goal, and remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. It’ll pay off down the line.
Previous blogs
Bike maintenance plays key role in performance
Meeting adverse conditions builds mental toughness
Nutrition tips for before, during and after next ride
For information about CTS coaching, camps, and performance testing, visit our Colorado Springs training facility at 21st Street and Highway 24, visit us online (click logo below), or call us at 866-355-0645. Dave can be reached at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
. 
Weather
Current Contests
