Without a shadow of a doubt, this is a ‘first world problem’. “How do I train during the imposed lockdown when my races have been cancelled and I don’t want to get ill.”
It seemed that initially, most folks used the first few weeks to back off completely, go back into easy training. Maybe even regain a little bit of the winter ballast. Not a bad idea, nobody wanted to be putting the immune system in jeopardy by training too hard. Plus having the proverbial rug pulled from underneath you with the cancellation of all races is going to alter plans.
Fast forward a few weeks and that easier zone 2 training starts to wear a little thin. The appeal of numerous Zwift and virtual races on varying platforms begins to appeal. Motivation shakes back into life as competitive juices start to flow again.
But the Question Still Remains…… What to Do for the Rest of 2020?
There is no right answer here. However here are a couple of options that will hopefully give some food for thought. Either way, it’s probably a good time to take stock and have a think about how you see your 2020 unfolding.
Gamble to Race Later in the Year.
Who knows whether the races from September onwards will in fact take place. If ‘normal service’ does resume in the fall, be prepared for a smorgasbord of late-season races. Just pick your target. With that in mind, its time to gear your season from now, targeting that ‘A race’. You now have the luxury of the summer to train (proving you are northern hemisphere). That may mean changing your current weekly training habits if you have got into online racing and going back to some more structure. Set your plan out and now use this time wisely.
Have a Year Off Racing.
Sacrilege I know, but if you are anything like me you may have been racing year on year for many years. Perhaps its time to take this opportunity and take a break from racing. Begin to work on weaknesses and get some quality training in while recapturing some of the love for the sport. No doubt when 2021 comes around you will be chomping at the bit to hit that start line!! With this in mind, what can you do differently now. Perhaps undertake some structured strength and core work and really build a solid platform.
Personally I am going with this option. Once the key races got ‘rescheduled’ to 2021 It was time to make the call. This has been somewhat cathartic in mindset. No need to worry about maintaining a particular skill/level of fitness. I can just purely focusing on what needs to be done to become a better racer in 2021. Cycling power has always been a weakness. Now I can undertake block after block of specific training. Comfortable with the fact I have plenty of time to then ramp back up everything else at a later point. Everyone has their own strengths and weakness. What better time to use this opportunity. Double down and use this year to build something special for the next.
Do What You Love Doing:
Interestingly a number of friends have become totally impressed in E racing since this all began. They are once again enjoying regular racing but this time from the comfort of home. Other time-crunched friends who have young families have rediscovered their love for training racing. This has got them back in shape. They have discovered a whole new platform where they can race their friends and peers home. If this is you then just run with it. No pun intended! It’s working, who cares if it’s not the most structured type of training. If it’s reignited your mojo then happy days!!
The Future…
When we look back on this time of disruption hopefully some positives can be taken away. Spending more time at home with loved ones. Getting around to the DIY. Shaking up your training and racing hopefully for the better. Hopefully, this can be a silver lining to what is and will continue to be a strange and turbulent 2020.
Any thoughts feelings and ideas on plans would be welcome in the comments below.