New Level of Pain

For the last six weeks we have been working with ten kids and their cycling skills. You may be asking exactly how that can be done given that Cincinnati has had way too much snow and weather cold enough that even the heartiest of riders were deciding it was better to ride indoors.

When we first met six weeks ago we introduced the kids to indoor trainers, the evil side of road cycling in the winter. By February every Cat 3 racer I know loathes the trainer and many just go outside and ride in 22 degree weather because they can't take it any more. The pain of potential frostbite becomes far more entertaining than the pain of sitting on the trainer for another two hours in the basement.

To counteract this we also introduced them to their goal - the Team Dayton Indoor Time Trial. This time trial is a standard length of 6.2 miles and is known round the world for indoor competition. The kids experienced the Computrainer time trial in the comfort of a small group over six weeks ago and then we starting a very basic training program.

Just give me three days a week. We asked them to do a very simple task - workout three days a week. Doesn't have to be cycling, just be active. Run. Jump. Do situps. Ride. Swim. Whatever. The parents were given the guidelines of "what counts" and away we went. The kids took to it. Some of the kids even got frustrated when they were too busy with school to get their workouts in - just like I am when I am too busy with work or home to get my work out in.

We met once a week in a structured workout to make it four total times a week of 30 minutes or more. We would meet for about an hour and a half and ride our bikes indoor for 45 minutes to an hour and then do some core routines for another 20 minutes or so. Sometimes we would throw in games with the Wii or other activities to keep things different, but the kids had a great time.

Today was the day we learned who had improved the most. In the spirit of local bicycle racing, we had two pairs of socks riding on the outcome. Of the ten kids, seven had done a pre-test on the Computrainer to set their baseline. Three girls were competing for a pair of knee high socks that are all the rage in cyclocross, and the boys were competing for a pair of wool Sasquatch socks. The boy and girl showing the most improvement percentage wise would win the prize.

These kids can compete. From the gun the kids were off. You could see it on their faces that they meant business and this was way more than just a six mile ride on their bikes. Whether it was the socks or just for pride they all worked their tail off. Two of them worked to the point of losing their lunch, to which we are grateful for the clean up crew.

More than anything they were each finding a new level of pain they could endure. The average improvement for the kids was 12% - that is substantial. While I would love to take credit for designing a program that promises 12% percent improvement, I know competition had more to do with it. Most times these kids never see the other racers. They are often alone working by themselves. With the time trial they all knew where everyone was - and they knew exactly what to do to catch them - go faster.

They went faster. Most went faster than I or their parents had ever seen. My own daughter told me she went faster than she had ever gone before. While she may not realize it, she also found a new level of pain she could endure. Bicycle racing is a lot about enduring pain. Not letting the pain stop you from pressing forward harder and harder. We all know that the pain we feel isn't our muscles ripping from the bone. We can all press forward if we have the mental capacity to push through it.

The kids found a new hurt locker today.

The boy that showed the most improvement lowered his time by over 20% today. He earned every bit of it. His parents were proud, but were trying to get him to zip up his jersey as he stood outside on a 35 degree day trying to cool off after his effort. This guy loves his bike. At the age of 10 he was out riding his bike this week in 25-35 degree weather. Working hard, trying to get faster on his bike to race.

The girl that showed the most improvement lower her time almost 10%. This included fighting a high ankle sprain for the last two weeks as well as trying to work through knee soreness experienced after growing like a weed over the last 6-8 months. She wasn't sitting out.

Another boy took his time to 21:51 over 6.2 miles. That is over 17mph on a rolling course for an eleven year old. A 12 year old girl averaged close to 16 mph and showed 8% improvement. The list goes on....

But none of this touched my heart as much as my own 9 year old. She woke up Sunday morning and was worried. Not worried about the time trial, but worried that we wouldn't let her do the time trial. She was running a very low fever and didn't really feel well, but there would be no talking her out of going. She showed marginal improvement, but the attitude was way more important. Some days you look at your kids and think maybe they finally understand what you have been saying to them.

It is only February and I am already anxious to get to Cyclocross season where these kids excel.