What it takes to win? – Part 1 of 4
The summer of cycling is in mid-swing and we have witnessed a couple of the men’s and women’s tours and the Olympic Games is starting today. This may be further away than your own goals, but if you are contemplating racing for the first time, already a seasoned crit racer, Time Trialist or want to set a cycling goal, then this post aims to trickle down some of the techniques used at the very highest level of performance sport for you to consider with your thinking and training planning.
Granted, the Ineos Grenadiers and British Cycling will select the most talented riders they deem most suitable to achieve their goals, however there are opportunities for you to continue to develop your cycling journey with having a very clear understanding of what you wish to achieve and what it will to take to achieve it.
With the advent of tech in cycling, both hardware and software, there are vast swathes of data streams you can collect to analyse and inform your training and decision making. This explosion of data, tech and web platforms to share and compare efforts, rides and segments with riders across the globe, has probably created the rise of the neo-rider.
We are seeing a new generation of young cyclists using power meters, web platforms to support training and with pro’s sharing their data on Strava, it has enabled the aspiring cyclist to have a very clear view of what type of numbers they need to achieve to be successful on the world stage – they have formulated their own profile of what it takes to win.
Why Develop A Model of Performance?
Creating a model provides a consistent framework to develop your riding against, it allows for your individuality, built against strong guiding principles. It will enable you to track and monitor your development and will guide specific interventions that may be required such as upgrades, tech, clothing, servicing options, coaching or a bike fit. Above all else, it will give you the confidence with the task, and provide a structure for you to reflect on your goals and inform the next steps.
Most, if not all Team GB sports will have a model of how to win an Olympic medal. These models of performance aren’t like a recipe where you add all the ingredients and make a wonderful apple pie. The rigours of sport, the competitive environment and the context of the race or game all nudge the pressure up, potentially distorting decision making. However, having a model will allow you to refer back to the requirements to be successful and keep you on track and out of the heat of the moment.
Where to Start?
Start with you. You have a very unique insight to yourself, you see things in you differently than your friends or family. It doesn’t mean it’s a right or wrong view, it’s what you feel. So, consider where you are with your cycling and instead of applying SMART (Specific-Measurable-Attainable-Realistic-Time) to your goals, try BHAG (pronounced Bee-hag) which is an acronym for Big Hairy Audacious Goal. This concept was conceived by an American management guru Jim C. Collins https://www.jimcollins.com/concepts/bhag.html. It is designed to be a powerful way to stimulate progress, is clear, compelling and requires little explanation.
To help you on your way, use these prompts to support your thinking:
1) Think about why. What are you doing it for? You need some purpose and reason to do anything and it has to be something you’re actually bothered about. Have no boundaries.
2) Use your strengths. What do you have that would help you achieve it? Think about what already works and making things even better – goals can be improving greatness, doesn’t have to be weaker areas.
3) Break it down into chunks – a year is a long time and you’ll probably going to hit bumps along the way, especially what life throws your way. What’s do-able for short term chunks that is easier to get your head around?
4) Celebrate your achievements along the way. Monitor and review to keep hope and faith – celebrate the wins along the way. Set milestones to break down the higher goal.
What’s Next?
Now you have your goal, this is your reference point and every decision made must come back too – does this help me achieve my goal? Whether your goal is, time, result, power or distance based they all have measurable parameters.
However, if your goal is based on different cycling disciplines such as winning a Cat 3/4 circuit race, or winning the club 10 mile TT, or completing a 100 mile sportive, your model will need to factor in the specific intricacies of the event your goal is based on.
Look out for the next blog to find out more about building your model.
If you have read this post and would like support in facilitating your goal setting or cycling coaching please get in touch.