Stop pressing the panic button.

Posted on June 4, 2008

External Senses:  “The pack seems to be accelerating rather rapidly in front of you.  Would you say it’s time to panic?”

Brain: “Why, yes I would.”

Body: “Ok, this shotty-ass form should get us there.”

Brain: “Uhhh…okay, but that gap is going nowhere quick.  What to do?”

Body: “More panic?”

Brain: “Sounds good to me. I think it’s time to throw in a few extra raggedy-ass strides in there too.”

Body: “Ok!  How’s that?”

Brain: “Terrible.  Oh, and the sprint is over btw.”

Body: “Good, cuase that sucked ass.”

 

Ok, so you get what I mean?  Instincts pretty much always tell you to dial up the effort when it’s time to go fast.  But what you shouldn’t do, ever, is do that at the cost of your form.  I mean, from time to time there will be an emergency where in a certain situation for some people, this is the better immediate option. [If that is what will keep you in the pack etc.]  But, this is NOT a good long term strategy.

The boys were on fire on the track tonight.  The track was fast.  Funny, one corner was quite wet, but still the times of top guys were in the 15’s.  The others weren’t far from that.  A good time to practice going fast.  Real fast.  World-class fast.  Medal contender fast.  Only, its not easy.  Even to follow. 
I was on and off tonight. But, when I was on, it was: Effort < Form.  One might think such immediate feedback would reverse said instinct, but...  in the moment, it just isn't that easy.  You've got to turn that function off.  Or at least try to in order to in time reverse what these poor instincts are telling you...  and me.

In panic, not only are you less efficient, you're also probably slower.  I know I am.  That'll vary a bit depending on just how bad your form is.  At the very least, the potentials of each has the panic far slower than the Effort < Form version. 

I had a few good sprints were I was just low, solid, and smooth, and was right in at ~15.8.  Even dropped a pass or two when the option was there.  We did 20.  I skipped one where I think I turned by brain off or something… I dropped low from the front of the line up and started cutting up the inside moving up quite well.  Which was followed by: “What the f**k are you doing Doouble A?” and: “*#$#$%@  I don’t even know.”  lol.  It was funny, but stupid.
I didn’t eat so well today.  I had school all day and just planned things poorly; riding straight from class to meet the boys for my ride to the track a few towns over.  The immediate effect was what I felt on the cognitive side of sport.  Concentration, putting effort and attention in the right areas (this explains the whole Effort > Form deallie).  And at times I was seeing that white-ish grey scale at the end of the sprint sets.  Like that cloudy-vision you get right before you pass out.  Not that I was anywhere close to that or anything, just a lesser version of what I would describe as similar.  On the bright side, it really revealed this whole thing in a really obvious way.  Only I don’t reccomend this coa.  really not.  Still skated well when it was time to though.  Just, the standard is getting higher through the season. Mine and others.

Then in the “points race”, I went like poo.  After leading the first 10 laps or so, I relegated my tired self to the back to just “sit in”.  For a smaller group than normal, it was actually quite fast as Kalon lead out most of the ‘tween laps quite hard.  By that point I was quickly reaching the limits of my fuelling.  It starts with will and how motivated you feel, and ends in locking and being happy the race is over (for the wrong reasons).  So that was that.  At least I finished.  haha, or started.  [a lot didn’t.]

Moral:  You are a machine that turns carrot sticks into whippin’ ’round the track at mach 10. So eat good fuel.  Lots of it.  And no, coffee doesn’t count.  Nope, tea neither.

By the way, what does “btw” stand for?

I gotta end this.  Need food and sleep.

-Adotyoumakemesickimakemusiccom.

 

That one’s for the kids.

Filed Under Uncategorized |

Leave a Comment

If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

© Copyright aaronarndt.ca • Powered by Wordpress •Login