2007 Racing - CAT 3

I upgraded to a CAT 3 in late-2006, so I started the 2007 year as a CAT 3. This meant new teammates and new requirements to win. I changed my training plan to base it on a Carmichael Training System (CTS) plan. I liked Michael Ross' ideas, but didn't like his workouts. I like the CTS workouts and the theory. So, this new plan had me peaking in August with lots of time for base and build periods. Only, this time, the periods are renamed to Foundation (16 weeks), Preparation (12 weeks), Specialization (16 weeks), and Peak (4 weeks).

This plan did not work well or I was just too slow. I think the Foundation period was too long and the specialization period was too long. I also lifted from October through February and my weight spiked as high as 200 lbs. at one point. In late February, I was back down to around 190lbs. This was a pretty bad year for some reason. I was too slow out of the gate, lost some motivation and never had any good results.

Also, finishing in a CAT 3 race is unlike a CAT 4 race. Towards the end of a CAT 4 race, it's important to move to the top several positions and on the last two laps, the pace really quickens. The front 10 guys usually drop everyone else and it ends up being a 10 person or less field sprint. Breakaways almost never work in CAT 4 or 3 races.

Towards the end of a CAT 3 race, everyone is there and it ends up being a field sprint of 50+ riders. The key to winning these races is to "play the game" correctly. What I mean is that you need to pick the right time to move up, the right wheels to stay on, and know when to get out and fight in the wind if you have to. Most often, if you're in the middle of the field, say sitting in 10th position, then you'll get blocked in when the trains come around and you'll get screwed on the sprint. I found that I would ride towards the edge of the pack, but near the front. I'm in the wind a little bit, but not so much that I'm working too hard. Then, when the train comes around, you're not blocked in and you can get a free ride until the final 200 meter sprint finish where you give it your all. I didn't learn this until my 2008 season.

I think in my first CAT 3 race of the year, I remember being in the top 5 going into the last turn, getting boxed in and finishing around 30th. That was a lesson in how NOT to play the endgame. I think I raced about 7 races that year with my best result being around 20th.