Coffee Plans


A dark roast coffee with a good friend, that is the ideal way to start a day. This morning I met with Derek Dalzell, owner and head coach at Dallzell Coaching. A friend, and fellow appreciator of the magical coffee bean.

We met this morning for a typical purpose, it's a new year, and we wanted to discuss our resolutions. However, as cyclists, we express this purpose very differently. Our resolutions are specific, and often called terms such as functional threshold power, power to weight ratio, goal races, and peak fitness.  These resolutions represent our hopes for the upcoming season. As my coach, Derek had scheduled this meeting to review the plans and trajectory we will take to achieve them.

As the head wizard of fitness data interpretation, Derek had transmogrified an entire season's worth of heart rate and power data to pinpoint my talents as a rider. Graphs and charts in hand, he identified my strengths and weaknesses, and shared his plan for my development. My biggest theme of talent is as a VO2 max athlete. In just one season, Derek coached my functional threshold power (FTP) up from 280 to 365 watts. Though my abilities are limited in short efforts (I sprint like a Cat 6 wanna be), we are confident my capacity in longer efforts will usher in success for the 2016 season. Knowing this, we chose to target the time trial national championships as the primary race for this season. This event plays into my strengths, and will be an excellent opportunity to compete at a high level against other elite athletes.

Last year, my first and only time trial was a huge eye-opener. Not only was it one of the most painful rides of my life, it was also one of the most rewarding. There is something very pure about being alone on a bike, going just as fast as you dare. The delicacy of the time trial lies in the pacing. Go too slow and you'll lose, well, because you're going slow. Go too fast, and your legs will blow up, then you go slow; either way you lose. A good time trial is pedaled on the edges of these extremes, in the goldilocks area which balances speed and exertion. Time trial specific training is very methodical, and could even be accused of being "boring". But, the process will grow me as an athlete, and the challenges will make me stronger.

Though the focus of todays meeting was primarily to plan my training and racing, we also looked at other areas in which we would like to grow. Always looking for ways we can give back the cycling community, we identified the need for racers to engage with other cyclists in a more approachable manner. Often, recreational cyclists looking to learn more about cycling are intimidated by racers. In the coming year, we hope to alleviate some of this stress by organizing rides where racers chill out, slow down, and spend time teaching other cyclists the lessons we've learned through years in the saddle. Connecting recreational riders and racers is vital to our sport, and is also important on a personal level.

Two years ago I was introduced to the world of bike racing by local racers who took the time to talk to me, and to teach me about cycling. In particular, Peter Post, the team president of the CMS race team, went out of his way to help me get a start in racing. One of the biggest things he did, aside from free meals, spare parts, and spare kit, was to break down the recreational rider/racer barrier. He befriended me, and because Pete is friends with everyone, I was let into the group. Within two weeks I was on his team as a club level rider, having the time of my life. I hope that our efforts to connect with recreational riders will give others the opportunity Pete gave to me. I am excited to see how this project takes shape!

I am always impressed with the level of attention and expertise Derek puts into his work. I'm thrilled to have him as my coach again this season. Not only does he do a phenomenal job peaking my performance and managing my fitness, but he's also become a good friend/ally in my quest to become "really fast". I'm looking forward to the season to come, it's
going to be an amazing year.

This year I am committed to updating this blog on a regular basis, and recording the lessons and memories of the coming season. I hope ya'll come along for the ride.

Happy new year!

Jesse K

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