News from the USA Cycling’s Coaching/Cycling Summit

October 18, 2006 -- I just got back from the five day Cycling Summit at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The best brains in cycling coaching theory and practice were on hand to present topics in everything from sport psychology to sport drinks. What a mind expander!

Andy Pruitt, Ph.D., the patent holder for Specialize’s Body Geometry shoes, delivered the seminar on Bike Fit. As a bike fitter, I was thrilled to be in the same room with my guru, and I was happy to learn that the fitting philosophies that I embrace were those that he expounded on too. I learned a lot about correction of problems at the foot/shoe/pedal interface, with techniques to create happier knees and keep the rider from wasting power.

Kristen Dieffenbach, Ph.D. spoke about “underrecovery,” a topic that has also been near and dear to my heart. Athletes happen to be people with lives, and it is the stress of everyday living that is often the limiter on a cyclist’s ability to train and recover. Handling these issues is the flip side of cycling training, but every bit as important. Proper handling of stress issues, on and off the bike, is something that coaches and athletes need to collaborate on.

Hunter Allen and Andy Coggan, Ph.D. broadened my base of knowledge on power training and its interpretation through Cycling Peak’s WKO+. The latest edition of this software has a chart called Performance Management which allows the coach to further fine-tune the power-trained athlete’s training. Whether applying gradual training load, planning a recovery period, or finding the right time to taper for a big event, this chart is just the ticket. It is a great addition to software that I have been using for over two and a half years.

My coach, Mark Fasczewski, presented materials from his vast experience in seeking team sponsorship. He advises considering a sponsorship a partnership, one that should be fostered so that this relationship will be a long-term one. I'll be happy to pass along his recommendations to anyone interested in working on sponsorship for his/her team.

A big special-interest topic for me is coaching juniors, and I attended two separate seminars on their particular needs. Barney King spoke about the challenges, rewards and logistics of bringing junior and U-23 riders to Europe. Kristen Dieffenbach, Ph.D. presented great information on the many things to consider when coaching juniors. Cycling is a tough sport, and coaching aspiring young riders demands a willingness to find balance in their lives while making training fun.

It is Cyclocross season and I have a few athletes who are racing ‘cross. Adam Myerson was on hand to talk about Cyclocross training -- from the occasional racer to the elite crosser headed to World’s. Periodization was discussed for both extremes, as well as for the cyclist who was intent on peaking for Nationals.

Communication is my background, so when I had the opportunity to take a three and a half hour seminar on communication skills for coaches I jumped in with both feet. What a wonderful opportunity to do drills to enable better communication between coaches and their athletes. I was really happy to refresh my memory with good communication theory and practice.

Some of the cyclists I coach are aspiring to the top rung of success. And at the top rung you can expect one thing – drug testing. I attended the USADA seminar outlining doping control practices, which have not changed a whole lot since I was tested in 2004. The main lesson here is still the same; the athlete is ultimately responsible for what he or she ingests or comes into contact with. Supplement manufacturers may or may not have the best quality control, and what is on the label may not necessarily be in that shiny capsule, powder or gel. What is worse, what is NOT on the label but included in the supplement is what can really get you into trouble. Rider beware!

Because it is not usually hot around here is why I raced to the seminar on acclimatizing to heat and humidity. It seems that I get to train in nice mellow temperature ranges, but when race day comes the heat index is through the roof. Try climbing Mount Snow on the first hot day of the year. Yuck. Anyway, Larry Armstrong, Ph.D. took a red-eye in from UCONN to talk about preparing for those H & H days. The good news is that it can be done. The bad news is that it takes 10 – 14 days. Not 10-14 hours L

The next morning Dr. Armstrong presented on hydration and sports drinks. All of the folks that he had scared the afternoon before were fully present at this meeting, looking for good ways to stave off heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Hydration is key, of course, as well as adequate salt consumption. Carbohydrates rule, and a little bit of protein is a good thing. Experiment, and stick to what works.

We also took away from the two sessions a renewed respect for heat and humidity, along with the realization that heat stroke kills. While cyclists are less susceptible to heat illness because of the cooling effect of the moving air, they are not immune. Especially those mountain bike racers slowly climbing up Mount Snow.

A talk about my visit to the Olympic Training Center would not be complete unless I also regaled about the food. The choices were astoundingly amazing, the fresh meats, vegetables, soups, salads, and rice dishes right up my alley. I had stuffed Cornish Game Hen for lunch one day. I tried very hard to not gain weight while I was there, especially since a lot of the time I was sitting.

We did get to ride, though. You can't make a cycling coach sit forever, and many of us brought our road bikes. I took two rides through the Garden of the Gods, which was absolutely beautiful. I was there at two different times of the day, with the sun angles completely different. Pikes Peak was always visible too, with snow atop it’s over 14,000 foot summit.

I did not ride as much as I had planned, though. Instead, I was talking “coach stuff” to other coaches. We would have impromptu meetings with class-mates in the dining hall after dinner. We would stop and talk in the hall ways. Everyone was enthusiastic and ready to share.

Famous Person Sightings at the OTC: Alison Dunlap, who is now coaching the Colorado College Cycling team and was attending the Summit too. It is always wonderful to be around her and to talk with her. Also, Apollo Anton Ono, who was at the dining hall for lunch at the same time that I was on a couple of days. No, I did not talk with him – he was pretty occupied with the younger women (girls) that were accompanying him J

The Cycling Summit was an amazing experience, as was being housed at the OTC. I am looking forward to February, when I go back to take the Level 1 (Elite) Clinic. In the meantime, I will take every opportunity to incorporate these new materials and experiences into my coaching. Thanks for reading!

Margaret