Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Confessions of a Cyclist


Confessions of a Cyclist...
I am cyclist.  I love to ride my bike.  I love to race my bike.  I love everything about the sport of cycling.  

For over 15 years  of cycling I have experienced just about every cycling discipline.  I would say my cycling career has been mildly successful.   I will never be pro, unless you count cyclocross, which most don’t, but I can be mildly competitive at a high level. Heck, I got a call from a pro team once.  I didn’t make it.  They took Canada’s.  I guess what I’m saying is that I am proud of my career and what I have accomplished so far.  
Looking back on my early career is like witnessing a train wreck.  I made so many mistakes, but like most cyclist I was figuring it out for myself.  I was riding long hours, with little specific interval work, or doing so many intervals that I ended up overtrained.  It took years of trial and error to figure out that riding 30 hours a week and working 45 hours a week doesn’t equal success.  I had to get specific. I had to get the most bang for my buck, but I still wanted to be fast or ever faster.  So enters CrossFit Collective Endurance.  
Yes, will 30 hours of training get you good at riding your bike, probably.  Will 8 hours of high intensity strength and interval training do the same or better, yes! 
If you were like me the last statement is causing a brain hemorrhage.  
You might be asking yourself the following:
Strength training?  I weigh 135 pounds soaking wet.  
What about my 5 hours in the rain in January?  I want be hard like the Belgium's.    
The magazines say pros train 35 hours a week.
Yes, I know...I went through the same thought process, but I came to CrossFit Collective Endurance with an open mind and I have to say I am convinced.  With the combination of specific interval work on the bike, strength work at the gym, nutrition, and mobility CrossFit Collective Endurance has not only provided me with cycling fitness it has made me an athlete again.  I can do things now that I never thought I could.  I CAN PUT THINGS OVER MY HEAD!  I can touch my toes with out pulling a hamstring.   I can lift 250 pounds off the ground.  (That is almost two of me by the way.)   Finally, I am faster on the bike, healthier, and happier.  Plus, if I feel like doing 5 hours in the rain in January I do it, not because I have to, but because I love to.  
If you are tried of doing the same old thing and getting the same results try something new.  Try CrossFit Collective Endurance.  If you are worried, don’t be.  The only thing that could happen is that you’ll end up FASTER and STRONGER!
Andy “Bad Andy” Wulfkuhle
CrossFit Collective Endurance Trainer