I’ve finally learnt, that doing absolutely no training whatsoever DOES actually hinder your performance. Who’d have thought? I mean, it makes total sense and I’m not sure why I didn’t see it before.
I guess it’s because all the things I’ve learnt in the past, everything I’ve progressed in has been so fun, that I didn’t even realise that was I was doing was in effect, training. Putting those hours in when learning tricks on my fixed gear or BMX was training in a way, I just didn’t know if at the time.
Back when I was a pro-snowboarder, ‘training’ was laughed at, even frowned upon, in fact taking anything seriously was just ‘not done.’ And when I started learning tricks on my fixed gear bike (and then my BMX), I did it with light-hearted abandon, I certainly wouldn’t consciously make a decision to ‘train;’ I just accidentally found myself spending a lot of time learning things. Training was for other people, not for me. Actually trying, well you shouldn’t really, should you?
Over the last year or so, I tested my no training theory. I signed up for a few races, sure that training wasn’t strictly necessary, that I was just naturally fit. I entered the races confident that I would do reasonably well, but with a carefully nonchalant attitude in case I didn’t.
And guess what, I sucked and I hated being it! I didn’t like being slow, I didn’t like being at the back and I didn’t like the fact I couldn’t breathe properly and felt like dying. Being shit, is well, shit!
So I made a pact, not to be scared of trying nor of training. I’ve begun riding more, consciously riding more, and pushing myself on purpose. I want to be faster, fitter, stronger. And it’s amazing, I can feel it happening! The only problem is, that with only four weeks to go until the 180 mile London Revolution Ride in May, I might have left it a little late!
But we all have to start somewhere, and now that I’ve decided to get tough, I’ve got some races and rides in mind. I’ll keep you updated on my progress!
