looking for a cycling coach

[Barbara]

I am a single mom of a young child, 100% custody, full time job and precious little free time. I am trying to train for the Poway Century in October. The key for me has to be training smart, and although I have read Long Distance Cycling (Burke and Pavelka) and everything on the ultracycling.com web site, I still don't really know what I am doing. I have been riding less than 3 yrs. I wore a heart rate monitor for the first time in an attempt to estimate my Lactate Threshold. Tomorrow I hope to determine MHR. Well now what? That's where I hope someone at NCCC can help. I could use a coach. I can't afford a big committment, but just someone who perhaps will ride 40 min to an hour with me a few times on the weekends. I don't know what that will cost. Give me a number and I'll let you know if it fits in my budget. I have paid my tennis coaches anywhere from 35-80$ an hour. I would like someone to help me with my form, help me understand where I should be working, work with me through some drills and convince me that my heart will truly not explode. If you could use a little extra cash and would enjoy doing a little mentoring, please call.  My phone number is 760-518-4310.

Thank-you for your time,
Barbara

[kellyjay]

Hi Barbara,
NCCC has many riders of all ages, sizes and abilities. And probably several who just live down the road from you!
Perhaps you should meet a few of them at our club ride on Saturday mornings in San Marcos.
Ride with the group for a while, chat and get to know them.

Many of them have done all sorts of rides all over the US, were team members and trained others. I'm sure they would be glad to help you out, even au gratis!!

remain calm,
kellyjay

[Judy Frankel]

Barbara:

You might try Mike Plumb here:  http://www.tripower.org/

He is local  in Carlsbad and coaches all levels.

He'll give you a schedule that will fit your busy life. And will help you to build from where you are in the most efficient way.

But, riding with the club.. is a great idea!..

You need to build miles to do a Century.  At this point, you are building endurance.

Judy

[Bob Burgess]

Barbara,

If you just want to complete a century, then miles with the group or by yourself is the answer.  Some of the cycling mags have outlined plans for completing centuries.  Save your money that you would spend on a coach for bike parts that you'll need as you log the long miles.

If your goal is to hammer a century and break specific time barriers, then a coach and heart rate monitor might apply.

By all means, come ride with the club.  You'll be amazed at the info you'll receive just pedaling along.

bbb

[Fltplan]

I agree with the miles.  Marla Strebb (sp?) has a decent book out on training for a century.  Miles, miles, miles.  I would also reccomend the group rides.  There are many people there who just completed a century and I'm sure would offer up some advice. 

Steven Scates

[Chip]

I agree with the miles miles miles.  When I was training for several century rides back in 2005 and 2006 I'd do over 200 miles a week.  80 to 90 miles on Saturday then two shorter sprints from Del Mar to Oceanside and back on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  You should be able to find a group of people going your speed in the century and stick with them.  If you know the route for the century then try and ride all of it or most of it.  This helps you know where you can push a little and where to save energy because there might be a hill coming up.

[Wayno Caldwell]

Hello Barabara and NC3 Folks,

I really like Bob's approach, and one article that I found that follows my practice is:

http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/The-10-Commandments-of-Training.htm

Hope you like,
wayno :-)

[Jeff Gross]

Are you looking for a coach or a riding buddy? If you lack motivation to get out and ride regularly, then you need a riding buddy, like the NCCC club rides would give you. If you are going for a personal best performance or want to become a faster racer, then you might want a coach, otherwise that is overkill. One of our riders, Ron Voight (rvoigt@lee-associates.com) is a level 4 certified cycling coach.

[Judy Frankel]

she left her phone number.  I am not sure she is checking back to the board or is a member?

[Barbara]

Are you looking for a coach or a riding buddy? If you lack motivation to get out and ride regularly, then you need a riding buddy, like the NCCC club rides would give you. If you are going for a personal best performance or want to become a faster racer, then you might want a coach, otherwise that is overkill. One of our riders, Ron Voight (rvoigt@lee-associates.com) is a level 4 certified cycling coach.

Thanks to all of you for your responses. I ride regularly, but rarely have time for long rides. I know riding with the club would do wonders for me, but I have a 57 lb 'appendage' at 8 am that is much too young to be left on her own. As soon as I can figure something out, I hope to join you on some Saturdays. I bet I will see some of you at the starting line Oct 4th! Just don't expect me to finish with you :-)!
Best,
Barbara