Matt Page Blog: As One Season Comes To A Close, Another Begins
It has only been 3 weeks since Dusk ’til Dawn, which was my final race of the 2009 season but it honestly feels like much longer. Just like many other athletes I have taken some much needed time off training to refresh the body and mind. 2009 has been a great season for me and for the first time in my racing career I have achieved my major goal. I said at the beginning that I wanted to win Mountain Mayhem and that is exactly what I managed to do.
I’ve been keeping myself fairly busy though with a visit to the Cycle Show at Earl’s court which was a great opportunity to meet friends at Wiggle and check out what’s new in the world of cycling. I even caught my first glimpse of the frames I will be riding in 2010. Exiting stuff! This is the time of year where I do all the product testing and decide what kit I would like to run next year so being able to see the products and speak to the manufacturers at the Cycle Show was invaluable.
Although I have had 3 weeks off structured training I have not been completely idle. I’ve done several runs and a few MTB rides a week, but the main difference is that nothing was planned and I only went out if I felt like it and made sure I had fun. Sometimes when you are set on a training plan you forget to enjoy the rides which is not a situation I want to get into. If I am not enjoying my cycling then I wouldn’t see the point in carrying on. My timing for starting my new training year has been planned to coincide with the clocks going back. For as long as I remember I have suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This time of year when the nights draw in and especially when the clocks go back can be extremely difficult as I struggle with motivation. Some people will think this is another made up disorder, but I am sure that anyone else who suffers will be able to relate and understand.
I am doing everything I can to help things and by starting my training schedule now when I am totally fired up and incredibly motivated about the year ahead. Having a job where I am outside through most of the daylight is also a big help. The biggest help for the condition is exercise, so I have no problems doing that!
In due course I am going to change several things about my training, including moving to power for training sessions along with Heart Rate that I currently use. I will also be employing the use of a coach for the first time in quite a while. I feel that I have achieved a huge amount through self-coaching but someone with more knowledge and experience will hopefully be able to lift me to reach my full potential.
I have big aims and goals for the 2010 season, but hopefully I will be able to achieve them like I have done this year. The time off has worked a treat and I can’t wait to get back into serious training and make myself a faster and better rider!