Cramping

[Matt]

I was at the Thursday Crit in Winfield with a good BPR crew last night (in fact one BPR'er lent the Jersey off her back to another so he could race!  Jason looked smashing in the womens wear!), and I made some progress in dealing with my cramping issues.  The last two crits I cramped badly right near the end of the race, to the point where I couldn't pedal any more.  Last night I was able to complete the whole race.  I did cramp, but I was able to manage it, and ride through it.  Also, the cramp was located only in my calf, instead of in all of both legs!  The higher tension work seems to be paying off.  My nutrition was actually worse this race than others - not as much sodium, and not as much water, but I had better results.  I think that working at some higher intensities will continue to mimize my cramping issues.
Thanks Chis and Andrew!
Cheers
M

[StephenU]

Great news Matt!  And btw, The Horn was fairly powerful out there.  The next step is to set him up so he can unleash all his Super MEGA Power for the final sprint!

Oh - Matt, what does a cramp feel like?  hehe  kidding!! 

[Andrew]

The Horn?
Is that in reference to Horny, Horn Dog, or the sound of the starter at the big races?
If it refers to the latter, we should find a Bell and Prime to make a full house for next year's team.

Where are the details about the night in general? Am hoping to have the whole family out next week, once Ginny has fully recovered from Hood, and I feel a bit more rested.

See you all tomorrow morning!

[JasonK]

The picture explains the name!  When the Horn goes to the front I fight for the slipstream and hold on for life.

I thought Thursday night was one of the hardest crits ever.  There were TR riders everywhere and constantly laying it down at the front.  I put down one attack and made it 1/2 a lap and spent the rest of the race trying to recover and not get dropped.  Watching those TR guys make attacks when I'm sitting in and at my limit just amazes me.  I don't know exactly what I need train to ride at that level but I sure want to get there some day.

Thanks again Jen for lending me your shirt!  The fit was amazing!

[StephenU]

Yes, Jason I agree - at one point 5-6 of the TR guys were on the front hammering for 2 laps..  I was just behind them and my HR was 175 all the way around.  no Let up!  There was no way I was going around them!  If they had of kept going a little while longer, it would have shed most of the riders in the crit..  I am sure of it.
You have to keep in mind that among them is Jamie Sparling, uber time trialist, and winner of two crits at Mt. Hood. (stacked pro field)  Cyrus, Provincial RR Champ from last year.  No small feat staying on their wheels.

Oh, that mountain is the Most Successful Mountain in the World - Matterhorn!!

[JasonK]

Yeah, while your HR was 175 mine was 180 trying to close down the 15' gap behind your wheel!  Its crazy when I'm at my limit how a 15' gap is soooooo hard to close.  I remember a few weeks ago when you looked back at me and I was waving for you to wait so I could close the gap.  I was trying to do the same last night but it never worked.  I was getting back flashes of what you did to me on Silver Star last year   Too much fun!

[StephenU]

It is really quite sad that we cannot lay severe beatings on one another anymore!  It was so much fun!  If Andrew hears we are attacking each other he may show up at a crit put us on a real short leash!!
Andrew - You should really come and watch either Stephen or Jason doing stupid things at the crit..  Probably really entertaining to watch!  (one of us is exploding at any given time)

[Andrew]

I would like to think that I would ride with a conservative approach and watch carefully for the right moment to attack. But history has proven that my patience is as short as a broken valve stem, and I usually try to bolt off the front if anyone lets up for a moment. If memory serves, I tried a few times to go off the front at the K-Town classic, and ended up fighting for the last wheel in the main pack as we hit the final lap.

What I am saying, is that I am 100% supportive of the idea of racing these crits for FUN! If you enjoy trying to get in an early break, and risking everything to stay out front, then that should be your plan. If you prefer to conserve as best you can, and make a move on the final lap, so be it.

I will remind you that the TR boys would have kept pulling at the front if they could have. They are likely at their limit as well, and I think you will find the difference between your physiology and theirs is less than you think. Another winter of continued development and improvements to your personal weak links may allow you to mix it up with those boys in 2011! For now, I think you should all be very happy with your continued progress, and ability to ride with such quality riders.

I did not hear any cramping stories from Jason this week. Was it a different approach to training, or a change in hydration/sat intake this week?

Next up...long discussions on helping you all properly prepare to race to your potential, and begin thinking about what events are on your schedule for late summer and into 2011! Time to have another look at your short and long term goals and make appropriate adjustments...check off the goals that have been met, and continue to dream about your long-term progress!

[JasonK]

Hey Andrew,

Regarding cramping at the crit, I need to ride hard for around 70km and then the legs start to seize.  When I first started riding the crits two years ago I would get some cramping near the end but that has not happened this year or last.