This feature will spotlight different athletes throughout the off-season and their training experiences on their Path to Power. It will offer insight into many aspects of becoming a successful athlete that go well beyond the raw numbers of PowerCycling.
I invite you to follow Jeremy Zeigler's journey this off-season as he follows the Performance Series, engages in off the bike strength training and his nutritional strategies as he prepares for what he hopes to be his most successful Tri season this coming Summer.
For those of you that were involved in the PowerCycling Summer Club this last year,where Jeremy was out on the road coaching, or have met Jeremy through the studio this Fall while he has been assisting me with Power Hours, you know of Jeremy and his many athletic talents. Although he had a limited racing season this past year, a highlight was when he ripped off the best bike split for the very challenging Breakwater Half-Ironman in Petoskey, Mi.
If you haven't met Jeremy yet I would like to share a story with you that may help you understand those exceptional talents that he possesses. Our club was finishing up a training session this Summer and as we often would we decided to ride the final stretch back into Chelsea with some enthusiasm. On this particular day we started riders off in time trial fashion at 90 second intervals for the final 7 miles back home.
Jeremy would start last as he was the strongest, I started two spots ahead of him. I remember thinking that if I could just hold him off and limit my losses to around 3 minutes I would be pretty happy. I was having a reasonably strong ride for myself that night, probably averaging around 22 mph. As I entered the final mile I starting looking over my shoulder periodically, fully expecting the Jeremy freight train to be on my tail. Sure enough with a half mile to go there he was and each time I looked back he was closer and closer. Somehow I had just enough to nudge him out at the make believe finish line,
I was feeling pretty good about my effort, until Jeremy and I starting telling war stories as we cooled down riding back into town. It was then that I realized how strong he really is. He shared with me that in the first 5 minutes of the time trial his pedal loosened up on his bike and he had to stop, get off his bike and tighten it up-surely adding an extra couple of minutes to my head start of 3 minutes. Jeremy demonstrated to me on this occasion an intangible that separates the average athlete from the extraordinary one-the ability to stay composed under pressure.
Come back this week and check out how Jeremy does on his first Performance Series ride. http://powercyclingusa.com
Thanks for the introduction Marc. It's been a great experience getting to know yourself and everyone over the course of the summer. I can't begin to tell you how much I've enjoyed riding with everyone in the "Powercycling Summer Training Club". Not to mention the two day Marshall ride, one of the best rides I've been a part of. Great job organizing the event! My wife absolutely loved the "National House Inn Bed & Breakfast" where we stayed.
ReplyDeleteI also greatly appreciate the opportunity to go through the performance series in this format, and hope this serves as a good litmus for what's possible using your system. I know how much I've already improved over the course of the past few months and look forward to seeing what is possible. Rest assured I will do my best to meet your and everyone else's expectations.