How to Plan Your Peak Climbing Performance

How to Become a Better Climber – Lesson 4

This post is the fourth in my series about becoming a better climber. After the first three lessons, you should be in a position to describe the physical challenges to fast climbing: the hill’s steepness and length, your body, and bike weight. After that, you know what you are up against and can begin to plan your training. Always keep in mind what you are preparing for.

I am often asked by a broad range of riders how to plan for peak performance. The single best advice I can give you is to start at the end. Write down how you should train the day before the race.

Afterwards, write down how you should train two days before the race, etc. This little trick keeps your focus on the event you are preparing for and makes sure that your tapering protocol is on target.

So, whether you have 14 days or 14 weeks to train is irrelevant. Of course, you could prepare better if you had 14 weeks, but sometimes that is impossible.

Even when I work with elite riders, their race schedules and priorities might change throughout the season. Suddenly, an athlete can represent the national team, and then that race gets the highest priority and a short deadline.

I think it works best to begin at the end in such situations. Instead of trying to do the impossible, you should stick to sensible training planning techniques.

Sometimes it is essential to accept that it is impossible to make miracles happen in such a short space of time.

Instead, focus on the small changes that will positively influence your performance (optimum tapering, optimization of the bike, etc.).

Your task today:
Describe how long time you would like to spend on your climbing project.