The Journey

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)

During a health check late in 2004 I weighed 120kgs and joked that, “I’m large...not overweight". The concerned looking health professional tactfully informed me that I was in fact obese, and if I weighed much more I would be classified as morbidly obese.

It would be fair to say that the conversation left me a little shell shocked. My ego was a tad dented, and any illusions I had of being healthy were well and truly gone. In short, I was at rock bottom. Several aspects of my life changed during the Christmas period that followed. I started to watch what I ate, and significantly I realised that alcohol wasn’t something I wanted as part of my life.

Then in January 2005 I entered the inaugural (101km) Graperide event. I turned up feeling prepared, having completed 30km and 40km rides in my preparation for the April outing. However, I placed 77th of the 78 finishes in my category, (in just over 4 hours). It would be fair to say I was left with plenty of material as I later searched for reasons as to why it had all gone so terribly wrong.

It hadn’t gone wrong in reality though. I had in fact turned the corner. A life of excesses would soon have me focusing on healthier options and a happier outlook. I continued with rides and events, and over time my weight started to reach a level which I was more content with. Now I needed a smarter way to train, so I spent a great deal of time searching for information about approaching training systematically. My only 2 criteria involved me firstly using an empirical training program, and secondly I needed sustainability. This was no ‘quick fix’.

Throughout 2007 I located invaluable snippets of information that were tested while training for the Taupo Enduro. This information has been used as the backbone of my training since. The subsequent Graperide Magnums and the 2008 Taupo Maxi Enduro benefited from an empirical approach to endurance cycling.

Feel free to take what you want from the below information. I have received a great deal of assistance from other cyclists and hope that information benefits those who are interested...

Me before cycling.

My Approach to Training
My training program is very simple, and is based on 'periodisation'. In short, periodisation involves a number of 4 week training blocks leading up to each targeted event. Each training block increases distances over subsequent weeks until the last training block, which reduces volume and increases intensity.

The 4th week of each training block is an active 'rest week'. The rest week is approximately a 33% to 50% decrease in volume and the purpose of the rest week is to recover from the weeks (and months) of repeated longer outings. This leaves you feeling fresher (both physically and mentally) before the next training block begins.

Another aspect of my training is for half of my weekly hours to be completed in a single ride. For me, the larger rides are the most important rides of the week, so by 'saving' my hours for this outing I feel fresher when I need to most. (This approach meant that in 2008 I missed only two longer rides).

Additionally, once a month (in the 3rd week of the 4 week training block) I do the longest ride of the month. This is usually 200kms to 300kms and often incorporates an overnight aspect if the event I’m training for requires this.

I believe it is also very important to test everything, so I personally use the Graperide to test everything I have planned for Taupo. This includes, food, training, and my tactics. This helps you iron out potential problems before getting to the big outing of the year. (Which of course is Taupo).

During 2008 my approach was to simply finish the Maxi Enduro and thus I effectively did a base and not much else. 2009 will see me attempting to combine both endurance and greater speed. Attempting sustained speed for events greater than 300kms is a delicate area for both training and the event, and I look forward to this new challenge.

An overview of 'periodisation'.

Food
On the bike - The basis of my food are Hammer Nutrition products. Specifically, Perpetuem (for rides longer than 4 hours) and Hammer Gel sachets. This makes up 90% of my caloric intake. I also take Endurolyte tables to keep up electrolyte levels, with helps to avoid cramps. The other 10% of my caloric intake on my long rides is made up of the occasional banana and sometimes a One Square Meal bar. The key though is knowing how many calories you need per hour. More than this and you'll feel sick...less and you'll be lucky to finish the ride.

Off the bike - I avoid simple sugars. This doesn’t mean 'never', but pigging out has gone from a full bowl of ice cream to a single scoop. A good way to think of carbohydrates would be to picture wood you may use for a fire. Simple sugars such as ice cream, chocolate, and refined sugar are like putting twigs on the fire. Very effective in the short term, but they soon die away...leaving just a messy residue. Complex carbohydrates on the other hand are like big logs of wood. You will get no quick fix, but you'll receive energy hour upon hour.

How fitness is gained.

Philosophy of the Happy Cyclist.
This is a very personal area of each cyclists approach to training. This said though, I believe you need to be feeling fresh on (and off) the bike for most of the time. No one likes to be sore. So it is important you target key rides for the week, month, and year, with training working around those rides. Everything else is just getting you to those outings.

By focusing on key rides you'll become more focused on your training, and how your body is handling what you put it through. Yes, you'll possibly become a little more selfish with your training, but frankly if time is that much of an issue why choose a sport that requires 12 to 15 hours on the bike a week for those wanting to reach their potential.

For those who doubt if these points are mental aspects, try to maintain the motivation to train month after month if you are sore everyday. It’s not many people’s idea of fun.

Still plenty to improve on, with greater speed on endurance rides a goal for the future.

Following the Narrow Path
My philosophy is focusing on what I can achieve, and avoiding comparisons with others whether possible. Inevitably, by judging ourselves compared to those around us we are often left with an unfounded smugness, or feelings of inadequacies. So it is, that for each of us our own ‘Narrow Path’ will differ.

What is the narrow path?? It's losing skin (from where it hurts most), and then asking yourself why you are bothering with the task at hand. It’s deciding day by day (and sometimes hour by hour) if you have recovered in time for that 'next ride', and it is that moment you realise that the shoreline that we call comfort is now out of sight. It is swearing you'll never do that ride (or event) ever again...only to feel it pull you back within weeks of finally recovering. Most importantly though, it is striving towards goals because of their enormity, and because you no longer fear the 'what ifs' that others are so busy weighing up while life carries on.

That is the narrow path. Aim towards your wildest dreams...because they can become your reality.

So what do you do after the weight is lost?? You live...