Race Day Tips

You've done the training. You've tapered and peaked for the race. The big day has finally arrived. Now is the time to make sure you make the right decisions before and during the race.

Don't waste your energy.

This applies to many facets of race day. I'll go into a few of those facets.

  • Nervous energy does not make you go faster. Try not to waste your energy being nervous. Arrive early. Get things set. Let other people be nervous. Save your energy for the race.
  • Everyone has a full tank at the beginning of the event. It will feel easy at the beginning. That is because it is the beginning. It is later in the race that counts. Make sure you don't wear yourself out early. Save it for when it counts.
  • Be smart about your position in the group. In mass start events taking advantage of the draft provided by other riders is key. STAY OUT OF THE WIND. If the wind is from your left stay to the right. You can save 30% by simply getting into the draft of other riders. Other people will take advantage of the draft, don't give up that edge to your competitors.
  • At key points in the race you will have to spend energy to keep yourself in the race. It might be a decisive hill, or a group of 6-8 strong riders making a move where you will need to spend energy. You need to spend energy sometimes. Spend it wisely.
  • Spend your energy for a reason. If you are working hard and you can't answer "Why?" then you need to STOP. If you are on the front of a large group pulling everyone along and you can't answer "Why?" then STOP. If you are strong on the flats but weak on hills and you are pulling everyone on a flat leading up to a hill, STOP. The exception is when you can answer "Why?" For example, there is a group of 6 up the road and my teammate is a strong sprinter, so I need to pull everyone along, even if it is on a flat before a hill, to bring things back together for the team.

Set yourself up for success.

You have made the commitment to prepare for the race and enter the race. Now that you are in the race you need to make the commitment to succeed. Make sure that you don't let your weaknesses hold you back. Race your strengths. Do not second guess yourself.

  • If you are a weak climber then make sure you are recovered prior to the climb. Start the climb near the FRONT of the group so that you can slip back several positions. If you start a climb tired and at the back then you will find yourself OFF THE BACK. Don't do that.
  • If you are a strong climber then ride near the front and when it is at a point in the race where a move can stick until the end then be prepared to make a move and commit to it.
  • It you are a weak sprinter then make a move before the finishing sprint. If you get away with a small group then you only have to sprint against a much smaller group. Maybe you can even get away from that smaller group too!
  • If you are a strong sprinter then you need to spend your energy to stay with the group so that you can SPRINT FOR THE WIN! Keep yourself in the race leading up to the last few hundred meters so that you can compete in the last few hundred.
  • When you make a decision COMMIT TO IT 100%. If you second guess yourself and you don't succeed then you will never know what would have happened if you were "All in." If you do commit fully to your moves and they don't work out, then at least you know that you gave it your all. If you commit fully and the move WORKS, then you win and you earned it.

HAVE FUN

Never forget that we are doing this because it makes us feel good. Enjoy the day!

This training tip also to be featured on: www.CenturionCycling.com/training

Author: 
Coach Casey