Why Do I Coach?

Why do I coach? Some days this question is simple and other days it seems like a hard question to answer. But the biggest reason is, that I believe we progress through life because we set goals. We do what it takes to accomplish our goals. Determination and dedication towards our goals set in motion a path of learning what it takes to accomplish a goal. That's life. Our experiences in life help us reach our fitness goals and our fitness goals help us get through the many challenges of our lives. 

I recently received this heart felt email from a client I was coaching for several years. Over the years we worked together to help him achieve many mountain bike (racing) goals. It's wonderful when I get to work with an athlete for many years to see improvements year after year. Yup, this is why I coach. Thank you Joal.

"I am a tough client. I have no time. I grind myself into the ground. I need to know “why”. With this in mind, Michelle took me under her wing and provided heart-felt guidance that I feel goes beyond coaching. Her knowledge is superb (as tested time and again), her patience is amazing and she knows just how hard to push to maximize results. Successful coaching requires more than just setting up a schedule for intervals and long rides (who knew). Successful coaching, as I learned through the support of Michelle, centres on supporting the whole individual through hard training cycles and personal trials & tribulations. What a great recipe for success! It allows one to excel both mentally (oh so essential in racing) and physically, in life or on the race course. I wouldn’t have hit the podium consistently without her".

Cycling in Winter.

Winter riding can be tricky (staying warm and dry) when the temperatures are between 35 and 50 degrees. Layering is so important.

I like to layer starting with marino wool, adding a thicker long sleeve cycling jersey over the base layer and then adding a good breathable wind jacket on top. Making sure all of these layers breath well, when hitting the rollers.

Keep your head warm. Under my Rudy Project helmet I like to wear a cap or some sort of protection like Buff headwear. Including covering your eyes from the chilly wind. I also like all of the eyewear Rudy Project has to offer. 

Hands and feet are hard for me to keep warm. If I know it will be under 40 degrees I tend to wear cycling mittens and use a thin pair of gloves inside the mitten.

For feet? I prefer wool socks covered in a pair of pantyhose. Yup, you read that correctly. They keep my feet toasty and the wool absorbs any sweat and breaths. I also top off the shoes with a good pair of winter cycling booties.

Have fun, stay warm and dress for the conditions.

Winter Base Building for Fitness.

It’s Winter. Build your fitness base now by shoveling, skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, riding inside or out. Move that body! 
Aerobic workouts increase your heart stroke volume, build capillary density and muscular adaptations, that improve oxygen transportation to your muscles and keep your fitness from fading away. The older we get the easier it is to lose our fitness in just a few weeks. Building a good foundation (also called your Base) now, for endurance events this summer, is very important. More capillaries (density) equals more blood and oxygen to your working muscles equals more endurance and fitness later.