When I was riding at the French G.P, I was frustrated with myself, that I didn't ride like I do when I am practicing at home.
There was only one corner that I really felt like I was riding with good speed. The entry into the turn was different to most other riders and the line was a deep rut, compared to the other six or so other lines. I found myself saying 'just trust yourself and ride how you feel comfortable riding'.
I am really pleased that I heard this little voice and I am now noticing that I hear it more often. So with practice and a good ear, I am going to relax and just trust myself!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Old times
Whilst I am unable to race or ride, I am finding it challenging to keep my thoughts away from being on a bike. Yesterday, I decided to clear out an old set of draws in my garage so I could create some more space and for a chest of four draws it took a long time.
The draws were full of old photos and Grand Prix timed result sheets. It was great fun looking through them and I noticed that when I used to win my races in the schoolboys (up to the age of sixteen) winning and racing was so easy. I also realised that I have many, many happy memories.
As I look back at some of the lap times from the races, I feel like kicking myself, as in one particular race, my best lap time was three seconds off the fastest time in the race. I know now that this is nothing considering that my start position for this race was really at a disadvantage (right on the outside), and I came from the back off the pack to 17th position, two places outside the points. I feel like kicking myself because back then I didn't know I was fast enough to be well inside the top ten, or, that I was stopping myself from doing it. Even though I had the race results (lap times) showing me that I could.
I think that , for me, setting my high goals and finding that I need to change to be able to get better results, the journey is making me a much better person, and, for this, I am grateful.
The draws were full of old photos and Grand Prix timed result sheets. It was great fun looking through them and I noticed that when I used to win my races in the schoolboys (up to the age of sixteen) winning and racing was so easy. I also realised that I have many, many happy memories.
As I look back at some of the lap times from the races, I feel like kicking myself, as in one particular race, my best lap time was three seconds off the fastest time in the race. I know now that this is nothing considering that my start position for this race was really at a disadvantage (right on the outside), and I came from the back off the pack to 17th position, two places outside the points. I feel like kicking myself because back then I didn't know I was fast enough to be well inside the top ten, or, that I was stopping myself from doing it. Even though I had the race results (lap times) showing me that I could.
I think that , for me, setting my high goals and finding that I need to change to be able to get better results, the journey is making me a much better person, and, for this, I am grateful.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Review
Whilst talking to Ashley Scott recently, he was able to point out to me that I had made a major mistake in setting my goals. As Ashley told me what had happened, I took the information in and was aware of what he was saying, however, it was only until I went for a run this morning that I really understood the meaning of my mistake. I am now going to re-asses my short term goals.
I have enjoyed running the past two days, it has given me the opportunity to think in solitude, which I really enjoy.
I have enjoyed running the past two days, it has given me the opportunity to think in solitude, which I really enjoy.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Training
Although having a cast on my arm gives my a great opportunity to concentrate on DMP, I am driving myself mad with the restrictions that the cast gives me. My arm in side the cast feels fine now, after a weeks rest. I have recommenced my conditioning training so that I can maintain my fitness.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
MX3 Round 1
On returning from my first MX3 race, I feel very disappointed with myself.
Before I left I needed to sort out a different van to travel to the race in. My friend, Matt Coles, kindly let me borrow his van, however, the van had no tow bar so we were unable to take the caravan.
Going to an MX3 grand prix in a Mercedes Vito van was not how I had planned my first race. Although this meant that we could save a lot of time by travelling faster on the roads (without the caravan), it also meant we had to find a hotel once we were there, as well as setting up each morning and packing each night, I felt that this was poor preparation, on my behalf.
During practice on Saturday we had a few rain showers, which was great as I love riding in the wet, however, my friend with me didn't share the same view and I found myself using energy, explaining to him that rain is good, so he could be positive and my environment would be a better place to be.
I had agreed to let another British rider use my power washer and to be told it wasn't working when I went to use for the first time meant that I had to strip the pump down, clean and rebuild it before we could start preparing the bike for the next session. I was pleased to be able to help someone else, with the loan of my washer and this was fine.
I really enjoyed riding on the track, it's a really fun track to ride.
By the time we were packed up and off to the hotel, the time was quite late, which meant we ate late, went to bed late and got up late.
I took my time to get ready and went straight down for practice, to arrive there just in time. Sunday warm up for me is 4 or 5 laps warming up followed by 4 or 5 laps at full speed. On my 3rd warm up lap, I fell off. I don't know what I did differently and the fall defiantly took me by surprise.
I realised that I had hurt my left wrist immediately and was really pleased when the initial pain had passed and I thought I had only a bruise. Before the first race however, there was swelling and more discomfort. I got ready to race and as I rode down the start straight I thought I was going to be ok, however, after exiting the first turn and hitting the first bump, I found that I was unable to hold on to the handle bar and was in great pain.
There was to be no racing for me and we set off for home straight away.
After visiting the doctors, it was very clear that my scaphoid bone was broken and that I needed to return to the fracture clinic the following day. After another doctor had looked at the x-rays, I was told that the scaphoid had been broke for over 5 years and that I had a fractured my arm!
I am now in cast for 4 weeks and will start training on Monday.
Before I left I needed to sort out a different van to travel to the race in. My friend, Matt Coles, kindly let me borrow his van, however, the van had no tow bar so we were unable to take the caravan.
Going to an MX3 grand prix in a Mercedes Vito van was not how I had planned my first race. Although this meant that we could save a lot of time by travelling faster on the roads (without the caravan), it also meant we had to find a hotel once we were there, as well as setting up each morning and packing each night, I felt that this was poor preparation, on my behalf.
During practice on Saturday we had a few rain showers, which was great as I love riding in the wet, however, my friend with me didn't share the same view and I found myself using energy, explaining to him that rain is good, so he could be positive and my environment would be a better place to be.
I had agreed to let another British rider use my power washer and to be told it wasn't working when I went to use for the first time meant that I had to strip the pump down, clean and rebuild it before we could start preparing the bike for the next session. I was pleased to be able to help someone else, with the loan of my washer and this was fine.
I really enjoyed riding on the track, it's a really fun track to ride.
By the time we were packed up and off to the hotel, the time was quite late, which meant we ate late, went to bed late and got up late.
I took my time to get ready and went straight down for practice, to arrive there just in time. Sunday warm up for me is 4 or 5 laps warming up followed by 4 or 5 laps at full speed. On my 3rd warm up lap, I fell off. I don't know what I did differently and the fall defiantly took me by surprise.
I realised that I had hurt my left wrist immediately and was really pleased when the initial pain had passed and I thought I had only a bruise. Before the first race however, there was swelling and more discomfort. I got ready to race and as I rode down the start straight I thought I was going to be ok, however, after exiting the first turn and hitting the first bump, I found that I was unable to hold on to the handle bar and was in great pain.
There was to be no racing for me and we set off for home straight away.
After visiting the doctors, it was very clear that my scaphoid bone was broken and that I needed to return to the fracture clinic the following day. After another doctor had looked at the x-rays, I was told that the scaphoid had been broke for over 5 years and that I had a fractured my arm!
I am now in cast for 4 weeks and will start training on Monday.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
....and the penny drops
I have mentioned in previous blogs, that I have set a massive goal, one that is going to take a lot of conviction to achieve.
Listening to a Bob Proctor CD, it is said that the bigger the goal, the bigger the resistance. As I listen to this after my first race, it has now become incredibly obvious what that means in my situation.
The high the goal, i.e MX3 World champion, the higher the resistance, i.e the better the competition.
All I need to do now is see ALL riders in front of me as resistance and once I have found the way to get each one behind me, I will be able to achieve my goal.
Listening to a Bob Proctor CD, it is said that the bigger the goal, the bigger the resistance. As I listen to this after my first race, it has now become incredibly obvious what that means in my situation.
The high the goal, i.e MX3 World champion, the higher the resistance, i.e the better the competition.
All I need to do now is see ALL riders in front of me as resistance and once I have found the way to get each one behind me, I will be able to achieve my goal.
First Race
Well, how did my first race go? The track was great, hard pack and slightly hilly, with some great jumps. Before practice I was nervous, at one point feeling sick. I just needed to get on the track so I could ride.
As I was building my speed up for time training, I lost my front end on a slippy part of the track and broke my clutch lever clean off! Luckily, I fell right next to the working area, so I pushed my bike in and ran back to the van, remove the lever off my spare bike, run back and fit the lever back onto my race bike. I think this actually helped me keep calm a little, I was a little disappointed that I was as low as 24th in qualifying.
With this feedback I was able to consider what I was doing to be slower than I was aiming for, which, I had worked out.
Before the second race, I was feeling really negative, and was scared about going into race with other riders. Fortunately, my dad (who was with me) said just go out and enjoy yourself. I felt quite alot of relief when I heard those words.
In the races I felt that my corner speed was good, most of the time (I write most of the time because finishing in 23rd and 24th, clearly the speed was not high enough)and I know I let myself down on the whoop section and the bike didn't feel particularly fast on the straights.
I need to finish building the best bike I can get, so that there is no hesitation about the bikes performance. I am fully aware that the first 5 or so bikes are factory backed (if not, well prepared, performance wise) and that most of the riders have got some kind of mechanical support.
As I get more races under my belt, I will start to get better results with what I have got, which is great.
I am racing in France this weekend, on a track that I have ridden before that is a really fun track to ride. I will write about my experiences when I get back.
As I was building my speed up for time training, I lost my front end on a slippy part of the track and broke my clutch lever clean off! Luckily, I fell right next to the working area, so I pushed my bike in and ran back to the van, remove the lever off my spare bike, run back and fit the lever back onto my race bike. I think this actually helped me keep calm a little, I was a little disappointed that I was as low as 24th in qualifying.
With this feedback I was able to consider what I was doing to be slower than I was aiming for, which, I had worked out.
Before the second race, I was feeling really negative, and was scared about going into race with other riders. Fortunately, my dad (who was with me) said just go out and enjoy yourself. I felt quite alot of relief when I heard those words.
In the races I felt that my corner speed was good, most of the time (I write most of the time because finishing in 23rd and 24th, clearly the speed was not high enough)and I know I let myself down on the whoop section and the bike didn't feel particularly fast on the straights.
I need to finish building the best bike I can get, so that there is no hesitation about the bikes performance. I am fully aware that the first 5 or so bikes are factory backed (if not, well prepared, performance wise) and that most of the riders have got some kind of mechanical support.
As I get more races under my belt, I will start to get better results with what I have got, which is great.
I am racing in France this weekend, on a track that I have ridden before that is a really fun track to ride. I will write about my experiences when I get back.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Preparation
My preparation for my first race this weekend is going really well. I rode Tuesday and Wednesday (Doncaster Moto Parc was in fantastic condition) and today I will be cycling for one hour and then, physically, I have prepared myself the best I can. The rest of today and tomorrow will be spent preparing my trusty steed.
As Sunday gets closer, the feeling of excitement, is building up quite considerably. I need to concentrate on checking my thoughts over the next few days! Whilst I am really excited about racing, I am also a little nervous, as I haven't been filled in with roost or spent 35 minutes banging bars with other riders since last summer.
My goal is to finish 10th or better in both races. I will be really pleased with two 10th place finishes, I believe I can finish a lot higher and I will have to carefully look at any feedback I get for finishing outside the top 10.
As Sunday gets closer, the feeling of excitement, is building up quite considerably. I need to concentrate on checking my thoughts over the next few days! Whilst I am really excited about racing, I am also a little nervous, as I haven't been filled in with roost or spent 35 minutes banging bars with other riders since last summer.
My goal is to finish 10th or better in both races. I will be really pleased with two 10th place finishes, I believe I can finish a lot higher and I will have to carefully look at any feedback I get for finishing outside the top 10.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Lots of Enthusiasm!
I have recently been training in Belgium for two reasons. Firstly, to train with Harry Everts and secondly, to have a look at the facilities of the Hondapark circuit, which has confirmed my ideas that will come about at Doncaster Moto Parc.
With great enthusiasm, myself and Andy Kyffin, set off from my house at 11.00p.m arrived at the ferry for 4.00a.m, landed at 6.15 am and slept in the van. We started riding at 2.00p.m and finished at 5.30p.m.
After finding a hotel, we were in bed for 10.00p.m and up at 9.00a.m. We started riding at 1.00p.m and left the circuit at 5.30p.m. We arrived home at 3.00a.m in the morning and I was working at the track at 9.ooa.m.
So, as you can see, we where busy to make two days training happen! It was a lot of fun and this made it really easy to do. What has surprised me though, is that, although I feel very clear minded and healthy, I have got a cold sore on my lip. This is something that is associated with stress or being run down, neither of which I feel.
What I am really pleased with is that the cold sore is almost gone, after 48 hours of it arriving.
Although it was good to push the boundaries, there is a price to pay for it. I feel lucky that my body told me that I need to recover. One more good nights sleep, tonight and everything will be back to normal. Awesome
With great enthusiasm, myself and Andy Kyffin, set off from my house at 11.00p.m arrived at the ferry for 4.00a.m, landed at 6.15 am and slept in the van. We started riding at 2.00p.m and finished at 5.30p.m.
After finding a hotel, we were in bed for 10.00p.m and up at 9.00a.m. We started riding at 1.00p.m and left the circuit at 5.30p.m. We arrived home at 3.00a.m in the morning and I was working at the track at 9.ooa.m.
So, as you can see, we where busy to make two days training happen! It was a lot of fun and this made it really easy to do. What has surprised me though, is that, although I feel very clear minded and healthy, I have got a cold sore on my lip. This is something that is associated with stress or being run down, neither of which I feel.
What I am really pleased with is that the cold sore is almost gone, after 48 hours of it arriving.
Although it was good to push the boundaries, there is a price to pay for it. I feel lucky that my body told me that I need to recover. One more good nights sleep, tonight and everything will be back to normal. Awesome
Monday, March 12, 2007
Think about it!
I have had a great day training today, the track (Doncaster Moto Parc) was in really good condition. Damp, soft and very flat. The later being a draw back because a flat track is less demanding, physically, than when it's rough.
However, I gained some valuable feedback and I got the chance to ride the bike at high speeds, which is always fun.
In fact today is the second day in a row where I have had the opportunity to ride at high speed, as I rode at Thoresway Moto Parc on Sunday, where I was a little rusty to start off with and in my last session, I was beginning to feel at home on the circuit (it's been some time that I have ridden on a dry hard pack track).
Regarding the feedback I received today, I noticed something whilst I was riding. I want to overcome, fading, physically, after twenty minutes in to, a forty minute moto.
As I mentioned above, the track was flat with no bumps and my average heart rate after my warm up was 160 bpm. The track is so flat and my fitness is at a level where I should be able to ride full speed for forty minutes, so I really had to think to myself 'what is it, that is making me feel tired at twenty minutes?', my fitness is good, I am comfortable riding at high speed.
To start off with I thought that to overcome feeling tired, I just need to ride more, so my body can adapt to riding for this length of time, which, I am sure is true. However, this is not the real answer.
I was focusing on the problem, fading at twenty minutes.... This is something I don't want. This made me ask the question.... what is it that I really want?.... of course I want to win races.... What is the most important part of any race?.... the last couple of laps..... I want to be so fast at the end of a race, so I can beat the opposition and win races.... what do I want to focus on when I am training?.... putting faster lap times in at the end of a moto.
I was thinking this during my moto and needless to say I was making a few mistakes! however, I am really happy to have noticed this, rather than, riding (for me) incorrectly.
Another part of my riding today, that I am really benefiting from, is advice given to me from Harry Everts, which seems a little obvious, however, it takes conscious thought, for me to continually use the technique, it has definitely improved my speed with no extra effort, would you like to know whats involved with using this technique? do you want know how to do it? are you ready?.... when you let go of the brakes (when braking for a corner) put the throttle on straight away! How simple is that? I am riding faster for this simple instruction!
However, I gained some valuable feedback and I got the chance to ride the bike at high speeds, which is always fun.
In fact today is the second day in a row where I have had the opportunity to ride at high speed, as I rode at Thoresway Moto Parc on Sunday, where I was a little rusty to start off with and in my last session, I was beginning to feel at home on the circuit (it's been some time that I have ridden on a dry hard pack track).
Regarding the feedback I received today, I noticed something whilst I was riding. I want to overcome, fading, physically, after twenty minutes in to, a forty minute moto.
As I mentioned above, the track was flat with no bumps and my average heart rate after my warm up was 160 bpm. The track is so flat and my fitness is at a level where I should be able to ride full speed for forty minutes, so I really had to think to myself 'what is it, that is making me feel tired at twenty minutes?', my fitness is good, I am comfortable riding at high speed.
To start off with I thought that to overcome feeling tired, I just need to ride more, so my body can adapt to riding for this length of time, which, I am sure is true. However, this is not the real answer.
I was focusing on the problem, fading at twenty minutes.... This is something I don't want. This made me ask the question.... what is it that I really want?.... of course I want to win races.... What is the most important part of any race?.... the last couple of laps..... I want to be so fast at the end of a race, so I can beat the opposition and win races.... what do I want to focus on when I am training?.... putting faster lap times in at the end of a moto.
I was thinking this during my moto and needless to say I was making a few mistakes! however, I am really happy to have noticed this, rather than, riding (for me) incorrectly.
Another part of my riding today, that I am really benefiting from, is advice given to me from Harry Everts, which seems a little obvious, however, it takes conscious thought, for me to continually use the technique, it has definitely improved my speed with no extra effort, would you like to know whats involved with using this technique? do you want know how to do it? are you ready?.... when you let go of the brakes (when braking for a corner) put the throttle on straight away! How simple is that? I am riding faster for this simple instruction!
Friday, March 09, 2007
It's all about the Candy!
Whilst on the A.C.U. coaching course, Ashley Scott, who covers most of the work, spends a lot time talking about C & E (cause and effect) and how it is important to stay on the Cause side.
I was able to relate to this, as I can recall a time, when coaching, when I was on the Effect side of my own actions. Ashley described C & E in away that, when I made a decision to become truly independent (I wrote about this in my very first blog), it was easy because I knew that as long as I accept responsibility for my actions, I would find it easy to stay on the Cause side of the equation.
I find myself saying (to myself) 'it's all about the Candy' (C and E) when I need reminding!
I was able to relate to this, as I can recall a time, when coaching, when I was on the Effect side of my own actions. Ashley described C & E in away that, when I made a decision to become truly independent (I wrote about this in my very first blog), it was easy because I knew that as long as I accept responsibility for my actions, I would find it easy to stay on the Cause side of the equation.
I find myself saying (to myself) 'it's all about the Candy' (C and E) when I need reminding!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice
A number of years ago, I think five, I was really moved by some information or an article I had read. It was about the Bluebell Wood children's hospice.
I got to really understand what a hospice is and what it does for severely disabled and terminally ill children. Thinking now, it was at a time when my eldest daughter was a small baby, a time when I was even more grateful than I am now, for a healthy child to be in our family.
Within a few weeks of me knowing this, I was approached by a group of local riders who wanted hold a 24 hour motocross event, of which, I agreed to, so long as, I could choose the charity, of which, they agreed.
I was really pleased about this and happy that we could raise money for the Bluebell Wood appeal.
The same group of guys are holding the event again this year and the money raised is still going to the same charity, I take my hat off to these people for making this happen. As you can imagine, there is a lot of effort required to organise an event like this, for example, getting permission from the council, arranging lighting, organising sponsorship forms and getting it! and all this happens before they even get on their bikes and ride for 24 hours! Fair play to you guys.
Therefore, I have put a link on my website home page, www.edbradley.co.uk , so that anyone wanting to make a donation, can do so, quickly and easily.
So, when, you want to make a donation, please do so to help parents and children who need to use the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice.
Thank you.
I got to really understand what a hospice is and what it does for severely disabled and terminally ill children. Thinking now, it was at a time when my eldest daughter was a small baby, a time when I was even more grateful than I am now, for a healthy child to be in our family.
Within a few weeks of me knowing this, I was approached by a group of local riders who wanted hold a 24 hour motocross event, of which, I agreed to, so long as, I could choose the charity, of which, they agreed.
I was really pleased about this and happy that we could raise money for the Bluebell Wood appeal.
The same group of guys are holding the event again this year and the money raised is still going to the same charity, I take my hat off to these people for making this happen. As you can imagine, there is a lot of effort required to organise an event like this, for example, getting permission from the council, arranging lighting, organising sponsorship forms and getting it! and all this happens before they even get on their bikes and ride for 24 hours! Fair play to you guys.
Therefore, I have put a link on my website home page, www.edbradley.co.uk , so that anyone wanting to make a donation, can do so, quickly and easily.
So, when, you want to make a donation, please do so to help parents and children who need to use the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice.
Thank you.
Welcome
I have been writing my blogs for some time now and have covered many experiences and different topics, that I have come across, on my journey to achieving my goals.
As I benefit from writing my thoughts down (a great exercise, in itself), I hope that anyone reading what I have written down, can benefit from my experiences, if so, brilliant.
So far, I have only e-mailed my blogger to friends and family and I guess, this has gone further a field, since I have been writing blogs for quite a while now. So, I have decided now, to put a link on my website home page www.edbradley.co.uk , so that, if possible, customers of Doncaster Moto Parc and people interested in motocross, can get an insight of what I am up to.
I hope, I can keep producing interesting blogs and I will start to include what activities I am involved in, at the track.
As I benefit from writing my thoughts down (a great exercise, in itself), I hope that anyone reading what I have written down, can benefit from my experiences, if so, brilliant.
So far, I have only e-mailed my blogger to friends and family and I guess, this has gone further a field, since I have been writing blogs for quite a while now. So, I have decided now, to put a link on my website home page www.edbradley.co.uk , so that, if possible, customers of Doncaster Moto Parc and people interested in motocross, can get an insight of what I am up to.
I hope, I can keep producing interesting blogs and I will start to include what activities I am involved in, at the track.
Awesome feelings.
I have recently returned from a trip to Holland, where I have spent a few days, with Jacky Boerman, preparing my Honda 490, for the MX3 races. Surprisingly, most tracks where water logged (the majority of tracks in Holland are deep sand and drain water really quickly). We were Lucky to find a track that was open.
When we arrived, I was really excited as the track was in perfect condition. We tested two different types of exhaust pipes that Craig Elwell, at DEP exhaust, had given me to test. One header pipe that produced lots of bottom end power, with less top end power and the second header, which provided smooth and strong bottom and mid range power and a really hard hit just after the mid range and all the way through the top end power. We have chosen to run with the second pipe, as this one felt awesome and made my lap times even faster. This is great news.
I also experienced one of my favourite feelings. A feeling that makes riding motocross so addictive.
At the end of a fast straight there was a long left hand corner which lasted, roughly 40 meters. The line I was using was around the outside of the corner, against a really nice shaped bank. The bike was in 4th gear and I was using roughly half to three quarters of the throttle ( the speed was quite high!) and I was taking the turn stood up, both feet on the foot rests.
This on it's own is an awesome feeling, however, what was really turning me on was that a number of times, I had, the inside foot rest dragging in the sand. This means that the bike was lent over a long way. This was an awesome feeling.
When we arrived, I was really excited as the track was in perfect condition. We tested two different types of exhaust pipes that Craig Elwell, at DEP exhaust, had given me to test. One header pipe that produced lots of bottom end power, with less top end power and the second header, which provided smooth and strong bottom and mid range power and a really hard hit just after the mid range and all the way through the top end power. We have chosen to run with the second pipe, as this one felt awesome and made my lap times even faster. This is great news.
I also experienced one of my favourite feelings. A feeling that makes riding motocross so addictive.
At the end of a fast straight there was a long left hand corner which lasted, roughly 40 meters. The line I was using was around the outside of the corner, against a really nice shaped bank. The bike was in 4th gear and I was using roughly half to three quarters of the throttle ( the speed was quite high!) and I was taking the turn stood up, both feet on the foot rests.
This on it's own is an awesome feeling, however, what was really turning me on was that a number of times, I had, the inside foot rest dragging in the sand. This means that the bike was lent over a long way. This was an awesome feeling.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Be Greatful
I am currently writing the second part of my blog (the first being below). During my run, I also thought about an exercise I have heard about. Consider each day 'what you are grateful for'.
I am grateful for the work I have done with Ashley Scott, so that I am able to do what I am doing now.
I am grateful that my alarm clock is set for 7am every morning. Grateful because I can wake up, hug and give my wife a kiss, get myself and my three beautiful daughters out of bed. Get them breakfast in our fantastic house. I am grateful for taking them to school in our car and the teachers doing a great job for educating them. I am grateful that I run my own business and for all the experiences I have had whilst travelling, for all the people who have been on my journey and given me the opportunity to be in this situation that I am in now, this includes my parents and family. I am grateful for all the times I have faced resistance, grateful for character building. I am grateful for the support I am getting now from current sponsors and friends who give me encouragement to go for it (in life, that is). I am grateful that lots and lots of customers enjoy riding at Doncaster Moto Parc. This is just a short list of what I am grateful for.
I am grateful for Ashley, telling me what I know now, before I listened to the Bob Proctor audio CDs. I have been able to listen with an understanding and more importantly......... understand that there is only one emotion and that is LOVE.
I am grateful for the work I have done with Ashley Scott, so that I am able to do what I am doing now.
I am grateful that my alarm clock is set for 7am every morning. Grateful because I can wake up, hug and give my wife a kiss, get myself and my three beautiful daughters out of bed. Get them breakfast in our fantastic house. I am grateful for taking them to school in our car and the teachers doing a great job for educating them. I am grateful that I run my own business and for all the experiences I have had whilst travelling, for all the people who have been on my journey and given me the opportunity to be in this situation that I am in now, this includes my parents and family. I am grateful for all the times I have faced resistance, grateful for character building. I am grateful for the support I am getting now from current sponsors and friends who give me encouragement to go for it (in life, that is). I am grateful that lots and lots of customers enjoy riding at Doncaster Moto Parc. This is just a short list of what I am grateful for.
I am grateful for Ashley, telling me what I know now, before I listened to the Bob Proctor audio CDs. I have been able to listen with an understanding and more importantly......... understand that there is only one emotion and that is LOVE.
Persistence?
I am in Holland at the moment and have just returned from a 50 minute run.
Whilst running, I questioned my persistence in a achieving my goals because in the short term, I feel that recently, I can do better. However, from being a kid I have longed to be MX3 World Champion. I ask myself, have I had any setting backs that have required me to persistant?
In 1989, I broke my neck and was told I would be unable to ride again. A number of years, I had financial set backs. After my best season racing, I broke both my ankles which took 18 months to correct and after having to take care of a fatally injured person, not only did I finish racing, I almost lost my business at the track.
Does this demonstrate persistence or just bad decisions? Either way, these are past experiences and now is the time, to only consider the future.
Whilst running, I questioned my persistence in a achieving my goals because in the short term, I feel that recently, I can do better. However, from being a kid I have longed to be MX3 World Champion. I ask myself, have I had any setting backs that have required me to persistant?
In 1989, I broke my neck and was told I would be unable to ride again. A number of years, I had financial set backs. After my best season racing, I broke both my ankles which took 18 months to correct and after having to take care of a fatally injured person, not only did I finish racing, I almost lost my business at the track.
Does this demonstrate persistence or just bad decisions? Either way, these are past experiences and now is the time, to only consider the future.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Love and Fear
I have recently, often recalled to myself, a time when I was watching a race, in between my races, at Marshalls quarry, Hatfield, Doncaster. It was an overcast, cool, still day at the beginning of the year. I remember where I was stood watching and having a conversation with a riders dad. I could only just hear him as it was quite noise where we were stood.
He said something that sounded interesting and I didn't quite catch what he said. Luckily, rather than nod my head and say yes, I asked him to repeat what he had said and he repeated 'There are two things you need when you race Motocross.......Love and Fear, you have got to love racing and be scared(fear) of loosing'.
This was said to me 17 years ago and now after listening to Bob Proctor talk about setting goals, he suggests that we set extraordinary goals that empower us and scare us at the same time.
I have blogged about having these feelings previously, and as you know, I have set a big goal!
He said something that sounded interesting and I didn't quite catch what he said. Luckily, rather than nod my head and say yes, I asked him to repeat what he had said and he repeated 'There are two things you need when you race Motocross.......Love and Fear, you have got to love racing and be scared(fear) of loosing'.
This was said to me 17 years ago and now after listening to Bob Proctor talk about setting goals, he suggests that we set extraordinary goals that empower us and scare us at the same time.
I have blogged about having these feelings previously, and as you know, I have set a big goal!
Spitting through the wall!
I have recently been listening to a self help, audio disc set by Bob Proctor. It is really interesting and I have had fun listening to it.
On the disc covering 'Persistence', I was relieved to hear that the higher your goal, the greater resistance you will face in achieving your desired outcome.
This comes at a good time, as I am, at the moment, facing obstacles that are in my way. Piece by piece, I am getting through these obstacles and using my friend Geoffs terminology, I am having to 'spit through the wall'! It appears to be a thick wall at the moment, however, I am determined to break it down. Not to just push the wall over, I am going to jump on it, squash it and give it no chance to rear it is ugly head ever again.
So now I am quite pissed off because I have allowed these walls to grow, I let it happen. Now, I need to learn what I can do to make sure I avoid this from happening again. I need to change again, as I step up another level in my human growth.
I think, if anyone was to ask me 'if you where to be some kind of animal what would it be?' I would have to reply 'A snake!'. A snake can shed it's old skin and this is what I feel that I have done each time I go through new experiences. I am really happy with my old skins, even happier with the new.
I want to be MX3 World Champion and the want for it is increasing!
On the disc covering 'Persistence', I was relieved to hear that the higher your goal, the greater resistance you will face in achieving your desired outcome.
This comes at a good time, as I am, at the moment, facing obstacles that are in my way. Piece by piece, I am getting through these obstacles and using my friend Geoffs terminology, I am having to 'spit through the wall'! It appears to be a thick wall at the moment, however, I am determined to break it down. Not to just push the wall over, I am going to jump on it, squash it and give it no chance to rear it is ugly head ever again.
So now I am quite pissed off because I have allowed these walls to grow, I let it happen. Now, I need to learn what I can do to make sure I avoid this from happening again. I need to change again, as I step up another level in my human growth.
I think, if anyone was to ask me 'if you where to be some kind of animal what would it be?' I would have to reply 'A snake!'. A snake can shed it's old skin and this is what I feel that I have done each time I go through new experiences. I am really happy with my old skins, even happier with the new.
I want to be MX3 World Champion and the want for it is increasing!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Good Feeling
I have practiced twice now with different competitors, one, who I was roughly the same speed, although, I could see a few areas where I was more technically advanced and the other who I was quicker than.
What I really enjoyed was listening to their stories of how they have been quicker than other riders we will be competing against, and, on my drive home from practicing I had a smile on my face and thought to myself 'wouldn't it be funny if, I can win my first race'.
I am riding well at the moment, however, I am unsure if I am match fit and have no expectations, other than my goals I have set for this race. I just have a feeling that, I may well exceed them!
What I really enjoyed was listening to their stories of how they have been quicker than other riders we will be competing against, and, on my drive home from practicing I had a smile on my face and thought to myself 'wouldn't it be funny if, I can win my first race'.
I am riding well at the moment, however, I am unsure if I am match fit and have no expectations, other than my goals I have set for this race. I just have a feeling that, I may well exceed them!
Fitter
I chose to substitute a practice session on the motorbike for a cycle session and really enjoyed the ride.
With my head phones on, I set off on my lap, which usually takes me one hour. I was enjoying being on my own and having the opportunity to think in solitude.
I also noticed that, it's great where I live. On my ride I go through a small town where I used to go to school and the rest of the circuit is on quite roads, through small villages and lots of open fields. The fields, separated by hedges are mostly green, with some ploughed and this gave me a great feeling, that spring is on it's way.
I myself felt really good on the bike and on my return had ridden with really good speed, a couple of minutes quicker than usual, however, what I was really stoked with, is that my average heart rate was around 22 beats low than last time I had done this circuit.
By measuring my time and heart rate I am able to get this important feedback. I am a lot fitter than when I did this session in January.
With my head phones on, I set off on my lap, which usually takes me one hour. I was enjoying being on my own and having the opportunity to think in solitude.
I also noticed that, it's great where I live. On my ride I go through a small town where I used to go to school and the rest of the circuit is on quite roads, through small villages and lots of open fields. The fields, separated by hedges are mostly green, with some ploughed and this gave me a great feeling, that spring is on it's way.
I myself felt really good on the bike and on my return had ridden with really good speed, a couple of minutes quicker than usual, however, what I was really stoked with, is that my average heart rate was around 22 beats low than last time I had done this circuit.
By measuring my time and heart rate I am able to get this important feedback. I am a lot fitter than when I did this session in January.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Contrast in Music
Recently, I have got a new phone. It's a SonyEricsson 810i. The main feature I wanted on the phone was the mp3 player.
Last year I was listening to G-unit a lot, I really like the bass and the rhythm of the beats and the songs are usually quite aggressive, which help me get fired up.
Now, I have fallen for an album by the Foo Fighters. I like the Foo Fighters because of the fast tempo and fairly aggressive voice that he sings with, however, the album I am listening to 'In your honor', disc 2, is so mellow and his voice is so smooth and relaxing, I am hooked and I listen to the album when ever I get chance. I am listening to it, as I write this now!
Last year I was listening to G-unit a lot, I really like the bass and the rhythm of the beats and the songs are usually quite aggressive, which help me get fired up.
Now, I have fallen for an album by the Foo Fighters. I like the Foo Fighters because of the fast tempo and fairly aggressive voice that he sings with, however, the album I am listening to 'In your honor', disc 2, is so mellow and his voice is so smooth and relaxing, I am hooked and I listen to the album when ever I get chance. I am listening to it, as I write this now!
Looking after 'THE' goose
As the wet weather continues, I found myself in a dilemma on Wednesday. First of all, I was finding it hard to motivate myself to ride, as the track was in a poor condition and only a few customers stayed to have a go.
I had conflict going on inside my mind and I new that if I was to ride, I needed to have a clear mind (especially in these conditions) and after a short conversation with my wife, I had dealt with the conflict.
So, at the track I did my warm up and my first 40 minute moto, which I really enjoyed, however, it was very demanding on the bike. Wanting to look after the goose (my bike) I wondered if I should do my second moto. I decided that I should ring my friend Andy Kyffin and talk through what would the best approach.
The response I got was fantastic and immediate: 'do another 40 minute moto, you've got to look after the goose'.
I train well, eat well, drink well and practice well, however, this comment woke me up to consider that I am the goose also!
My second 40 minute moto was awesome and I felt great.
This goes to show that, I do have a good team around me and that achieving my goals is a team effort, there is no way I am doing this on my own because of the support and help I get.
I had conflict going on inside my mind and I new that if I was to ride, I needed to have a clear mind (especially in these conditions) and after a short conversation with my wife, I had dealt with the conflict.
So, at the track I did my warm up and my first 40 minute moto, which I really enjoyed, however, it was very demanding on the bike. Wanting to look after the goose (my bike) I wondered if I should do my second moto. I decided that I should ring my friend Andy Kyffin and talk through what would the best approach.
The response I got was fantastic and immediate: 'do another 40 minute moto, you've got to look after the goose'.
I train well, eat well, drink well and practice well, however, this comment woke me up to consider that I am the goose also!
My second 40 minute moto was awesome and I felt great.
This goes to show that, I do have a good team around me and that achieving my goals is a team effort, there is no way I am doing this on my own because of the support and help I get.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Patience
Fantastic news. How about this, as soon as I have said that I am still waiting for conformation on product support, Motul Oils have agreed to help me for this season.
I am especially pleased because Motul is a growing name in the motocross industry (it is already huge in road racing) and the quality of their products, is second to none. Again, this is great news.
I am especially pleased because Motul is a growing name in the motocross industry (it is already huge in road racing) and the quality of their products, is second to none. Again, this is great news.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Test of mental strength.
I am having a slightly tough time at the moment. An area which I have blogged about previously, was to avoid resource depletion. With the winter seeming to last for ever, the track has been closed too many times and I am still wait for word on product support for bike spares.
With my training taking a lot out of me, I am really having to make an effort, to be, mentally tough and strong.
It would seem that, as my physical training and bike practice come to an end of a cycle and becomes easier, I am now faced with the new challenges of maintaining adequate resources, (which should only last for a short number of weeks) and learning how to deal with racing and make sure that I keep on improving, so that, I can finish 3rd overall, in Roggenburg, Switzerland on the 3rd September. When I do this, I know 2008 will be all mine!
Speaking with Harry Everts (a four time world champion) in Spain, he told me (his opinion) that the first World Championship you win is a gift, every world championship after that is yours to keep.
He was saying this to someone who has won no World championships and I would love the gift of the first one, however, it still fits in with my plans that I can win two World championships, I believe I may be setting another goal as this year progresses!
With my training taking a lot out of me, I am really having to make an effort, to be, mentally tough and strong.
It would seem that, as my physical training and bike practice come to an end of a cycle and becomes easier, I am now faced with the new challenges of maintaining adequate resources, (which should only last for a short number of weeks) and learning how to deal with racing and make sure that I keep on improving, so that, I can finish 3rd overall, in Roggenburg, Switzerland on the 3rd September. When I do this, I know 2008 will be all mine!
Speaking with Harry Everts (a four time world champion) in Spain, he told me (his opinion) that the first World Championship you win is a gift, every world championship after that is yours to keep.
He was saying this to someone who has won no World championships and I would love the gift of the first one, however, it still fits in with my plans that I can win two World championships, I believe I may be setting another goal as this year progresses!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Low resting Heart Rate
On our last day of riding, my body had no aches although I felt sleepy tired. I was very pleased when I looked at my heart rate monitor when I sat on the bike, ready to go out for my first moto.
The reading was 50 beats per minute (bpm). I had to double check and waited a few more seconds for it to jump up to, may be, around 65 bpm. Whilst I waited, it went up to 53 bpm.
I am very pleased with this, as it is an indication that my fitness is good and that I am relaxed about being on my bike.
The reading was 50 beats per minute (bpm). I had to double check and waited a few more seconds for it to jump up to, may be, around 65 bpm. Whilst I waited, it went up to 53 bpm.
I am very pleased with this, as it is an indication that my fitness is good and that I am relaxed about being on my bike.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Team building
Whilst on our journey home, I was able to reflect on what has been happening (on my journey)and I noticed that the team I am building around me is truly international.
Again, on my first visit to see Ashley Scott, he made a comment, of which I was aware (although not the importance), that I needed to do. To build a good team around me. At this time I thought I could take the world on myself and on my own and how very wrong I was.
I have been unaware that I have been building a team. It is more like a group of individual friends who are all interested in Motocross.
I first met Ashley in January 2005, when he made this comment and my unconscious mind immediately started to work on it. Now just over two years later and on a trip home from Spain, I am able to reflect on this comment.
My friends who are helping me on my journey, although they may be unaware that they are helping (as they are friends), are from far a field, such as, Iceland, Belgium, Holland and in the U.K from the north, west, east and middle.
I would like to say a big Thank you to everyone involved and if you think to yourself 'I wonder if I am involved'. It means you are.
Again, on my first visit to see Ashley Scott, he made a comment, of which I was aware (although not the importance), that I needed to do. To build a good team around me. At this time I thought I could take the world on myself and on my own and how very wrong I was.
I have been unaware that I have been building a team. It is more like a group of individual friends who are all interested in Motocross.
I first met Ashley in January 2005, when he made this comment and my unconscious mind immediately started to work on it. Now just over two years later and on a trip home from Spain, I am able to reflect on this comment.
My friends who are helping me on my journey, although they may be unaware that they are helping (as they are friends), are from far a field, such as, Iceland, Belgium, Holland and in the U.K from the north, west, east and middle.
I would like to say a big Thank you to everyone involved and if you think to yourself 'I wonder if I am involved'. It means you are.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
All you need is Love!
Ashley Scott has helped me become the person I am today and has a canny knack of telling me things, just at the right time.
Some time ago, now, Ashley told me that there are only two emotions. Love and Fear and that you could actually say there is only one emotion and that is Love. So, as I begin to appreciate this and notice, these two emotions, where it is in mine and other peoples lives, I could give no other thought to the fact that, there could be only one emotion, Love.
After blogging about, looking after the goose, I had started to notice how much, I love everything I do, whether it be riding my bike or changing my daughters dirty bum or the washing up.
After sending an e-mail to Ashley on an observation I have made, he asked me to consider, again, that there is only one emotion, Love and the absence of Love.
This question was asked at just the right time and 'Ashley, if this was a conscious decision, fair play'.
Myself and others in my life will benefit from this.
Some time ago, now, Ashley told me that there are only two emotions. Love and Fear and that you could actually say there is only one emotion and that is Love. So, as I begin to appreciate this and notice, these two emotions, where it is in mine and other peoples lives, I could give no other thought to the fact that, there could be only one emotion, Love.
After blogging about, looking after the goose, I had started to notice how much, I love everything I do, whether it be riding my bike or changing my daughters dirty bum or the washing up.
After sending an e-mail to Ashley on an observation I have made, he asked me to consider, again, that there is only one emotion, Love and the absence of Love.
This question was asked at just the right time and 'Ashley, if this was a conscious decision, fair play'.
Myself and others in my life will benefit from this.
Think it, do it!!!
Last week, I blogged about how Harry's school looked like from the outside. Yesterday, on my day off, I watched and listened to what Harry had to say. I really enjoyed listening, there was only small instruction on technique. Most of his time is spent, telling riders how to make the bike go faster around the corners, regardless (to some extent) of technique. Andy, Petur and myself have found this very refreshing.
For me, riding in the second group, we've been doing motos. Harry has picked me up on two things I need to concentrate on. Once he had told me, I went out and did it straight away and continued to do so, each time after. I love being told what to do on a bike. I know I have a natural ability to do things on a bike that other riders don't. I have seen areas on the track, both last week and this week, where I was the first rider to start new lines and ride sections in a different way to get better results.
Whilst talking with Andy last night, I am sure that I am returning home on a higher level of riding from when I arrived here.
This was my plan. Awesome!
For me, riding in the second group, we've been doing motos. Harry has picked me up on two things I need to concentrate on. Once he had told me, I went out and did it straight away and continued to do so, each time after. I love being told what to do on a bike. I know I have a natural ability to do things on a bike that other riders don't. I have seen areas on the track, both last week and this week, where I was the first rider to start new lines and ride sections in a different way to get better results.
Whilst talking with Andy last night, I am sure that I am returning home on a higher level of riding from when I arrived here.
This was my plan. Awesome!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Rest day......at hospital
Today has been a rest day, which ended up with a trip to hospital!
I had ridden very hard the two days before and needed a rest. I have had interest from Harry, and he has welcomed me to train with him in Belgium.
This, I am really pleased with, Harry Everts is a four times motocross world champion and he has offered to help me train and help with my races in the MX3 world championship. A good result.
The trip to hospital came after loading the bikes into the van and leaving the tip of my finger in the chain and sprocket as the wheeled turned, when lifting the bike in to the van.
The piece of flesh hanging on the end of my finger had a piece of nail attached to the skin still. It looked messy and I was really pleased with how I managed the pain. One thing that did make me laugh was that when I went to ask Harry for some antiseptic, he ran away and couldn't look at the blood, this was really funny!
My last day of riding is tomorrow and then we begin our trip home and then it is straight off to a wedding with my wife and the girls. This I am really looking forward to.
I had ridden very hard the two days before and needed a rest. I have had interest from Harry, and he has welcomed me to train with him in Belgium.
This, I am really pleased with, Harry Everts is a four times motocross world champion and he has offered to help me train and help with my races in the MX3 world championship. A good result.
The trip to hospital came after loading the bikes into the van and leaving the tip of my finger in the chain and sprocket as the wheeled turned, when lifting the bike in to the van.
The piece of flesh hanging on the end of my finger had a piece of nail attached to the skin still. It looked messy and I was really pleased with how I managed the pain. One thing that did make me laugh was that when I went to ask Harry for some antiseptic, he ran away and couldn't look at the blood, this was really funny!
My last day of riding is tomorrow and then we begin our trip home and then it is straight off to a wedding with my wife and the girls. This I am really looking forward to.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
New track, more riding.
Yesterday, we had no training in the gym, as it was hot the day before and it's important to avoid over training. That was the comment made by the Everts team. I was so happy to be riding in the sun! Although it is harder, riding in the heat, I was looking forward to doing more gym work in that morning.
We rode at a different track, hard pack and hilly, a really fun track. Also, it was a free riding day, we could do what we liked, in respect of riding time. This was great, I did two, forty minute motos, after a warm up, learning the track.
My speed was good and I started to fade after approximately twenty minutes. I need to be able to keep going with great speed for a further twenty minutes. With practice, I will ride full forty minute motos at full speed.
Today, Petur and myself our going out for a cycle, carrying out maintainace work on the bikes and washing clothes, this will take all day. Tomorrow, we will be picking up Andy from the airport.
We rode at a different track, hard pack and hilly, a really fun track. Also, it was a free riding day, we could do what we liked, in respect of riding time. This was great, I did two, forty minute motos, after a warm up, learning the track.
My speed was good and I started to fade after approximately twenty minutes. I need to be able to keep going with great speed for a further twenty minutes. With practice, I will ride full forty minute motos at full speed.
Today, Petur and myself our going out for a cycle, carrying out maintainace work on the bikes and washing clothes, this will take all day. Tomorrow, we will be picking up Andy from the airport.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Look after your Goose!
Throughout today I have noticed that many of the riders, and mechanics come to that, give little consideration into looking after their possessions. For example, dirty kit and bikes. This morning in the hotel reception, a group of guys where driving a remote control car around the floor and drove it to destruction, breaking wheels off the car and where no longer able to drive it.
This prompted me to think about a story in the book '7 habits of highly effective people', it's the story of a poor man who buys a goose with his last pennies, as it turns out, the goose lays golden eggs and the poor man becomes rich. In an attempt to become even more rich, the man cuts the gooses head off so that he can pull even more golden eggs out of the gooses body. Of course he kills the goose and is left with nothing.
This story means so much to me now, as I used to kill the goose so many times. I have most fun with my friend Jacky, in Holland, as my bikes used to get very little attention and when we would talk about the bike, Jacky would laugh and say 'have you been killing the goose, again, Ed'
After today, I have realised that I have changed (and continuing to change) because after each day of riding my bike, it is cleaned and I maintain it regularly. This has created something that I wasn't really ready for .... I love my bike, I stroke it affectionately with a real feeling of love for it!
I also think that this is hard for people to consider that, I have changed, as a person, from goose murderer to goose lover!
The story also promoted me to look at the 7 areas in my live (of which I have blogged about before,'balancing the wheel') and thinking about how I can look after the goose in my relationships, at work, with my health and my relationship with my wife.
Looking after the goose has made me feel much happier inside, it has helped me remove conflicts that I have had with myself in the past.
Look after your Goose!
This prompted me to think about a story in the book '7 habits of highly effective people', it's the story of a poor man who buys a goose with his last pennies, as it turns out, the goose lays golden eggs and the poor man becomes rich. In an attempt to become even more rich, the man cuts the gooses head off so that he can pull even more golden eggs out of the gooses body. Of course he kills the goose and is left with nothing.
This story means so much to me now, as I used to kill the goose so many times. I have most fun with my friend Jacky, in Holland, as my bikes used to get very little attention and when we would talk about the bike, Jacky would laugh and say 'have you been killing the goose, again, Ed'
After today, I have realised that I have changed (and continuing to change) because after each day of riding my bike, it is cleaned and I maintain it regularly. This has created something that I wasn't really ready for .... I love my bike, I stroke it affectionately with a real feeling of love for it!
I also think that this is hard for people to consider that, I have changed, as a person, from goose murderer to goose lover!
The story also promoted me to look at the 7 areas in my live (of which I have blogged about before,'balancing the wheel') and thinking about how I can look after the goose in my relationships, at work, with my health and my relationship with my wife.
Looking after the goose has made me feel much happier inside, it has helped me remove conflicts that I have had with myself in the past.
Look after your Goose!
Improvement
Yesterday, was a similar day again, gym first, track second. At the track, we rode 2 long motos. For the first, I was so sleepy tired and feeling drained, my lap times where similar as to previous times, however, quite inconsistent. For the second moto, I really didn’t want to go out and ride, I was that tried.
Something happened when I went out, I found a rhythm and had a really good focus on what I wanted to concentrate on. The result was that, my lap times had improved by 5 seconds a lap and where within 3 seconds each lap, until I started to fade at the end.
After practicing, I felt better than in the morning and when we got back to the hotel, we did nothing, waited for dinner and I was fast a sleep 10pm and woke at 7.30am. Nine and a half hours sleep for me is incredible, I needed it though.
We got a surprise when we went to breakfast this morning as there is no gym and we are going to be free riding today. Time to have some fun!
There are three other British riders here who are a little upset because the school is not meeting their expectations. In Stefan’s group, a plan is made and we follow it. There is no instruction or coaching. This has been great for me as I have made sometime to speak to Stefan and ask him questions that I want answering. He has been very forthcoming with information and therefore makes the training even more worth while.
On our day off, Petur and I went to watch Harry Everts group, training, to see what we will be doing next week and it looked a little unorganized. Riders were pulling on and off the track when they liked and Harry would periodically pull the group over, instruct riders on a certain corner and then watch as the 15 or so riders practiced the section.
This was our view from the outside, next week I can talk about what actually happens on the inside. Regardless of what happens in this group, I am very happy with my coaching skills.
Something happened when I went out, I found a rhythm and had a really good focus on what I wanted to concentrate on. The result was that, my lap times had improved by 5 seconds a lap and where within 3 seconds each lap, until I started to fade at the end.
After practicing, I felt better than in the morning and when we got back to the hotel, we did nothing, waited for dinner and I was fast a sleep 10pm and woke at 7.30am. Nine and a half hours sleep for me is incredible, I needed it though.
We got a surprise when we went to breakfast this morning as there is no gym and we are going to be free riding today. Time to have some fun!
There are three other British riders here who are a little upset because the school is not meeting their expectations. In Stefan’s group, a plan is made and we follow it. There is no instruction or coaching. This has been great for me as I have made sometime to speak to Stefan and ask him questions that I want answering. He has been very forthcoming with information and therefore makes the training even more worth while.
On our day off, Petur and I went to watch Harry Everts group, training, to see what we will be doing next week and it looked a little unorganized. Riders were pulling on and off the track when they liked and Harry would periodically pull the group over, instruct riders on a certain corner and then watch as the 15 or so riders practiced the section.
This was our view from the outside, next week I can talk about what actually happens on the inside. Regardless of what happens in this group, I am very happy with my coaching skills.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
High Five
Waking up for our second day of training was quite slow! My body was full of lactate acid (A waste product that builds up in your muscles after training anaerobic, which means without oxygen in the muscles). My major muscle groups ached intensely.
The beginning of the day was a repeat of the morning before, run first, gym second. This helped remove a little lactic, however, it still left me feeling sleepy, tired. At the track we had a warm up session followed by one moto. Bliss, just one moto!
After ‘getting through’ the moto, I spoke with my friend, Petur about the setup of the bike. We decided that we should make some alterations and after a few laps of testing, the bike was a lot better and some much easier to ride, faster and with less effort. It will be great to improve my lap times now.
Now, if I was stiff this morning, it’s hard to comprehend how I feel after today’s training, and, how about this, my friend Andy (who is joining us on Sunday) has spoken with the guys at High Five (a high quality sports drink supplement company) and they would like me to test there products and that their protein drink (which Andy had packed in our van) would help get rid of the stiffness. After following Andy’s instruction on preparing the drinks, I have woken up this morning feeling so much better, it is incredible. This makes me very happy to continue to test their products.
To really make sure we remove the stiffness, we have cycled for 1 hour this morning in the very wet, rain! The rest of the day will be preparing for riding in mud tomorrow!
The beginning of the day was a repeat of the morning before, run first, gym second. This helped remove a little lactic, however, it still left me feeling sleepy, tired. At the track we had a warm up session followed by one moto. Bliss, just one moto!
After ‘getting through’ the moto, I spoke with my friend, Petur about the setup of the bike. We decided that we should make some alterations and after a few laps of testing, the bike was a lot better and some much easier to ride, faster and with less effort. It will be great to improve my lap times now.
Now, if I was stiff this morning, it’s hard to comprehend how I feel after today’s training, and, how about this, my friend Andy (who is joining us on Sunday) has spoken with the guys at High Five (a high quality sports drink supplement company) and they would like me to test there products and that their protein drink (which Andy had packed in our van) would help get rid of the stiffness. After following Andy’s instruction on preparing the drinks, I have woken up this morning feeling so much better, it is incredible. This makes me very happy to continue to test their products.
To really make sure we remove the stiffness, we have cycled for 1 hour this morning in the very wet, rain! The rest of the day will be preparing for riding in mud tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Test of resolve.
Today, I have completed my first days training on the Stefan Everts School. We had a great days riding, although, I found it very hard. New boots, grips, newly serviced suspension and two days of solid driving in the van has left me feeling very tired.
My lap times were 15 seconds a lap slower than Tyla Rattray (A factory KTM rider in the MX2 class). Whilst I know this is great feedback, I also feel a little cheesed off because I would have hoped the gap would be a smaller at this point.
I am, however, very pleased with how I have been able to respond to this feedback. In the past I would have felt very despondent and have the feeling of wanting to ‘give in’. With this experience, I did have this feeling for a very short time and then I was able to consider reasons for a lack of performance from myself and also, that, I just simply have a lot of work to do. I know how to do work, so really, I will be able to get what I want.
My lap times were 15 seconds a lap slower than Tyla Rattray (A factory KTM rider in the MX2 class). Whilst I know this is great feedback, I also feel a little cheesed off because I would have hoped the gap would be a smaller at this point.
I am, however, very pleased with how I have been able to respond to this feedback. In the past I would have felt very despondent and have the feeling of wanting to ‘give in’. With this experience, I did have this feeling for a very short time and then I was able to consider reasons for a lack of performance from myself and also, that, I just simply have a lot of work to do. I know how to do work, so really, I will be able to get what I want.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Motivation
Below, I have blogged about setting goals and creating a poster to represent them.
This is my poster.
A few things for me to remember: Short term - 10th overall in first British Championship round & 10th overall in 3rd round of MX3 championship.
Medium term - Build a great team and support for next seasons racing. Finish 3rd overall at the last MX3 grand prix at Roggenburg. Doncaster Moto Parc to be a multipurpose facility.
Long term - MX3 World Champion and The best family holiday in Florida.
Motivation: To have number 1 on my bike. To fly the Union Jack. Big trophies. Self satisfaction. Proof that it is possible to change your mental map and create your own life to how you want it, however that may be!!
Feedback
Last Saturday, I had a great day practicing at Thorseway Moto Parc. My fitness and bike speed is picking up great and I am really pleased with how quick these areas are developing.
One thing, Ashley Scott told me early on, was that 'feedback is everything'. So far, I have had very little feedback, regarding my speed. I am able to measure my fitness, however, because all my training so far this year has been on my own or with slower riders, I am unsure of how much quicker I need to be, so that, I am competitive in my races.
I will find this out next week as I go to Spain to train along side grand prix riders.
This is going to be so much fun and a time when I can really concentrate on my speed.
I am expecting to return from Spain on a new level (up from where I am now) and with even more knowledge to make sure that I am training properly and getting racing results that I have been dreaming of.
On my return I will have four weeks before my first British Championship race!
One thing, Ashley Scott told me early on, was that 'feedback is everything'. So far, I have had very little feedback, regarding my speed. I am able to measure my fitness, however, because all my training so far this year has been on my own or with slower riders, I am unsure of how much quicker I need to be, so that, I am competitive in my races.
I will find this out next week as I go to Spain to train along side grand prix riders.
This is going to be so much fun and a time when I can really concentrate on my speed.
I am expecting to return from Spain on a new level (up from where I am now) and with even more knowledge to make sure that I am training properly and getting racing results that I have been dreaming of.
On my return I will have four weeks before my first British Championship race!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Another new sponsor!
Once again, I am very pleased to be able to say 'I have another sponsor'. This time, for the bike.
DEP exhaust pipes have been producing high quality, high performance exhaust pipes for a long time and I have received help from Craig, with pipes, when I was riding for Team Green Kawasaki back in 1994, the year when I started racing in Grand Prix.
This is a big help, especially using the 490cc engine.
DEP exhaust pipes have been producing high quality, high performance exhaust pipes for a long time and I have received help from Craig, with pipes, when I was riding for Team Green Kawasaki back in 1994, the year when I started racing in Grand Prix.
This is a big help, especially using the 490cc engine.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Looking Forward
I am really enjoying carrying out my training programme. On the bike, both, my fitness and speed is improving. It is important to me that I am in good shape for the end of the month as I am going to attend a Stefan Everts training school with two friends, Andy Kyffin, who runs NWMTB and Petur Smárason from Iceland.
My plan is to have good bike fitness for when I arrive in Spain, when I return, I plan to spend time working on, out right speed, so that, I will be ready for my first races.
I am looking forward to racing.
My plan is to have good bike fitness for when I arrive in Spain, when I return, I plan to spend time working on, out right speed, so that, I will be ready for my first races.
I am looking forward to racing.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
New Sponsor
I am very proud to announce that I will be receiving sponsorship from Harbon Electrical Engineers.
A Doncaster based firm that started over 50 years ago, that are committed to producing, consistently high standards for their customers.
If you require any work in this field, click the link and use the contact details to get in touch with them.
A Doncaster based firm that started over 50 years ago, that are committed to producing, consistently high standards for their customers.
If you require any work in this field, click the link and use the contact details to get in touch with them.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Training plan
Before Christmas, I talked about creating a training program, of which, I have now put in place and I will review it in 3 weeks time.
A week is as follows:
Monday: Motocross practice.
Gym work.
Tuesday: Swim.
Wednesday: Motocross practice.
Gym work.
Thursday: Motocross practice.
Friday: Swim/Cycle.
Gym work.
Saturday:Motocross practice.
Sunday: Rest.
My Monday, motocross training session went really well. Whilst concentrating on technique and keeping a low heart rate, I noticed that my speed is improving, compared to the last session I did with the same heart rate average the week before.
It is great to be able to measure performance.
A week is as follows:
Monday: Motocross practice.
Gym work.
Tuesday: Swim.
Wednesday: Motocross practice.
Gym work.
Thursday: Motocross practice.
Friday: Swim/Cycle.
Gym work.
Saturday:Motocross practice.
Sunday: Rest.
My Monday, motocross training session went really well. Whilst concentrating on technique and keeping a low heart rate, I noticed that my speed is improving, compared to the last session I did with the same heart rate average the week before.
It is great to be able to measure performance.
Goal
I have been busy recently with riding, training, working and I also had the opportunity to join the A.C.U Acdamies coaching seminar with Mindracings, Ashley Scott.
This was a great seminar which covered goal setting.
Setting congruent goals is really important and for me, along with my medium and long term goals, I have realised that I need to keep setting lots of short term goals, this I will keep practicing.
An exercise we did was to make a large poster. We started of with a large piece of white card and cut out pictures from a handfull of old motocross magazines to represent our goals and then produce a poster with pictures and words so that we can create a clear, life like picture in our mind, of the future outcome of our goals, that we want.
This was great fun and also quite easy as I already know how I want my goals to be achieved.
This was a great seminar which covered goal setting.
Setting congruent goals is really important and for me, along with my medium and long term goals, I have realised that I need to keep setting lots of short term goals, this I will keep practicing.
An exercise we did was to make a large poster. We started of with a large piece of white card and cut out pictures from a handfull of old motocross magazines to represent our goals and then produce a poster with pictures and words so that we can create a clear, life like picture in our mind, of the future outcome of our goals, that we want.
This was great fun and also quite easy as I already know how I want my goals to be achieved.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Too much fun Vs heart rate!
I have enjoyed, another training session on the bike today. Practicing specific techniques and keeping my heart rate in the correct area is quite a challenge. Practicing technique is easy, keeping my heart rate down, low enough, is tough with other riders on the track. I found myself getting into a rhythm on the bike, and then, having so much fun riding, forgetting to keep my H.R. around 165.
My motocross fitness will come with perseverance and discipline and I will be required to do, a little riding, often.
With the Suunto T6 monitor, I am finding that it is really easy to overreach when practicing.
I am currently experimenting different styles of training sessions, at different times in the day to see if I can be really effective with my training. I will blog about my findings in due course.
My motocross fitness will come with perseverance and discipline and I will be required to do, a little riding, often.
With the Suunto T6 monitor, I am finding that it is really easy to overreach when practicing.
I am currently experimenting different styles of training sessions, at different times in the day to see if I can be really effective with my training. I will blog about my findings in due course.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Quarter of a century!
We have had a great time over Christmas, the kids and Kate have enjoyed themselves and we have had a busy time meeting family and friends.
I had a training session on my bicycle, on boxing day, using a Sunnto T6 heart rate monitor. An excellent piece of equipment, which, I will describe in more detail, another time.
I also had a great practice session on my Honda. Using the new techniques to help me with my concentration, I felt great riding and I had so much fun.
On my way back from working on the track this morning, I was still thinking about how much fun I had, yesterday. This lead me on to thinking how great it is that at 33 years old, I love riding bikes.
When I was a kid (around the age of 7), I remember that as soon as I got home from school, I would throw my school bag in the hall, get my B.M.X. and ride the wheels off it, making jumps and tracks, to race myself around. I started riding motocross bikes when I was 8 years old and started racing the year after.
I have been riding motocross for 25 years and still absolutely, love it. I am consumed with it and now, more than ever, my desire to fulfill my goals can be felt in my body.
The feeling I have is just below my heart and is quite tight, warm and in the shape of a smooth, large pebble (about the size of your fist), This is a reason why I am unable to be 'less serious'!
This also demonstrates the reason why I need to take a different approach to my racing, so that, I will achieve my goals.
I had a training session on my bicycle, on boxing day, using a Sunnto T6 heart rate monitor. An excellent piece of equipment, which, I will describe in more detail, another time.
I also had a great practice session on my Honda. Using the new techniques to help me with my concentration, I felt great riding and I had so much fun.
On my way back from working on the track this morning, I was still thinking about how much fun I had, yesterday. This lead me on to thinking how great it is that at 33 years old, I love riding bikes.
When I was a kid (around the age of 7), I remember that as soon as I got home from school, I would throw my school bag in the hall, get my B.M.X. and ride the wheels off it, making jumps and tracks, to race myself around. I started riding motocross bikes when I was 8 years old and started racing the year after.
I have been riding motocross for 25 years and still absolutely, love it. I am consumed with it and now, more than ever, my desire to fulfill my goals can be felt in my body.
The feeling I have is just below my heart and is quite tight, warm and in the shape of a smooth, large pebble (about the size of your fist), This is a reason why I am unable to be 'less serious'!
This also demonstrates the reason why I need to take a different approach to my racing, so that, I will achieve my goals.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Dark,cold mornings...
Swimming is great, My heart rate is reaching quite high numbers, there are recovery periods and my speed and technique is improving.
Also, it's a great way to wake up in a morning.
I started swimming at 7a.m. this morning, as I left the house, it was dark, cold (approx -1), the padlock on the gate was frozen and the van windows frozen over. What kind of picture do you have in your mind?
For me it was great, the cold, still air smelt really clean and felt fresh as I took deep breathes in, a small number of birds where singing because the day is starting. The sun will be coming up in a short time and the ice sparkles on my white van. The warm water that I was pouring onto the windscreen felt soft on my hands and the van engine sounded great, ticking over, as it was the only other sound other than the birds and when I get in my van to leave, I am leaving to improve my fitness, to help me reach my goal and the method to do this, is swimming, Fantastic.
I really enjoyed training this morning!
Also, it's a great way to wake up in a morning.
I started swimming at 7a.m. this morning, as I left the house, it was dark, cold (approx -1), the padlock on the gate was frozen and the van windows frozen over. What kind of picture do you have in your mind?
For me it was great, the cold, still air smelt really clean and felt fresh as I took deep breathes in, a small number of birds where singing because the day is starting. The sun will be coming up in a short time and the ice sparkles on my white van. The warm water that I was pouring onto the windscreen felt soft on my hands and the van engine sounded great, ticking over, as it was the only other sound other than the birds and when I get in my van to leave, I am leaving to improve my fitness, to help me reach my goal and the method to do this, is swimming, Fantastic.
I really enjoyed training this morning!
Monday, December 18, 2006
Swimming
Whilst I feel like pulling my hair out because I have no current training programme, I have decided that, I will kick back and enjoy the festive period.
There is no alternative anyway! Our kids are really excited that Father Christmas will be here soon and I get excited because they're excited and the result is a very lively household.
In fact, you may be mistaken for thinking that it is Christmas every day in our house!
By kicking back, I will be using parts of my old swimming programme. I say parts of it because it involves different types of easy and hard sessions. The parts that I will use from this is only the the harder sessions.
As my fitness has improved, I find that the easier sessions are too short and I love swimming so much that I like to train for at least 30 minutes. The harder sessions usually last around 40 minutes.
So, I guess, I will be kicking forwards, rather than kicking back, this Christmas!
There is no alternative anyway! Our kids are really excited that Father Christmas will be here soon and I get excited because they're excited and the result is a very lively household.
In fact, you may be mistaken for thinking that it is Christmas every day in our house!
By kicking back, I will be using parts of my old swimming programme. I say parts of it because it involves different types of easy and hard sessions. The parts that I will use from this is only the the harder sessions.
As my fitness has improved, I find that the easier sessions are too short and I love swimming so much that I like to train for at least 30 minutes. The harder sessions usually last around 40 minutes.
So, I guess, I will be kicking forwards, rather than kicking back, this Christmas!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Concentration
Two days ago, I had a practice day on a hard pack track (soil dirt with stone/rock underneath). It's the first time I have riden hard park scince July and I enjoyed it so much.
My speed was acceptable to me because I knew where, I am to improve and I am beginning to reproduce the feelings I had when my speed was at it's best.
I did, however, learn a very important lesson. Whilst I was practicing, there was a small group of riders having a training session. During my 3rd practice session, my concentration went from 'keeping on the correct line' to 'what is the group doing at the side of the track'. My concentration only went on to the other riders for, may be, 10 seconds, however, the consequences after that where that my thoughts went onto telling myself off for letting this happen, which went on for, may be, another 30 seconds. During this time I made lots of small mistakes, missing my line in turns and getting the entry in to turns slightly wrong.
The lesson that I have learned from this experience, through some coaching I have received, from Ashley Scott at Mindracing, is that I need to make sure that next time I practice (and each time after that!), I channel my concentration in to specific areas for each session.
My speed was acceptable to me because I knew where, I am to improve and I am beginning to reproduce the feelings I had when my speed was at it's best.
I did, however, learn a very important lesson. Whilst I was practicing, there was a small group of riders having a training session. During my 3rd practice session, my concentration went from 'keeping on the correct line' to 'what is the group doing at the side of the track'. My concentration only went on to the other riders for, may be, 10 seconds, however, the consequences after that where that my thoughts went onto telling myself off for letting this happen, which went on for, may be, another 30 seconds. During this time I made lots of small mistakes, missing my line in turns and getting the entry in to turns slightly wrong.
The lesson that I have learned from this experience, through some coaching I have received, from Ashley Scott at Mindracing, is that I need to make sure that next time I practice (and each time after that!), I channel my concentration in to specific areas for each session.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Pratice
Today, I have been riding on a bumby, deep sand track. It was great and a lot of fun. I know how fast I want to ride my bike and at the moment I will need to build it up and it will come back.
A little patience, plenty of discipline and a lot of practice is required.
A little patience, plenty of discipline and a lot of practice is required.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Race against time!
For the past 12 weeks I have been doing the easy part of achieving my goal....becoming psychically fit and getting bikes to ride.
Having a psychical training programme has made getting fitter, really fun and easy, however, before I started my training, I made a commitment to myself, that I would not throw myself completely into my motocross training until I was in a position where I can race for the whole season, to avoid 'resource depletion'.
This I am finding my biggest challenge as, I am nearly their with support, however, I really could do with some more, of which, I will keep seeking.
I have found a new area that I want clarity, I need to produce, quick and effective results with my bike training and therefore require a specific training programme. This I am working on and I will write about the programme as I get it completed.
What I am finding tough at the moment, is being so motivated to achieve my goals and not letting myself loose on my bike training, which I have in the workshop waiting to go. Also, I am very aware that my first British championship race is on March 11th, this is only 13 weeks away!
Having a psychical training programme has made getting fitter, really fun and easy, however, before I started my training, I made a commitment to myself, that I would not throw myself completely into my motocross training until I was in a position where I can race for the whole season, to avoid 'resource depletion'.
This I am finding my biggest challenge as, I am nearly their with support, however, I really could do with some more, of which, I will keep seeking.
I have found a new area that I want clarity, I need to produce, quick and effective results with my bike training and therefore require a specific training programme. This I am working on and I will write about the programme as I get it completed.
What I am finding tough at the moment, is being so motivated to achieve my goals and not letting myself loose on my bike training, which I have in the workshop waiting to go. Also, I am very aware that my first British championship race is on March 11th, this is only 13 weeks away!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Perception of effort Vs Actual heart rate...with a difference
I've had a session in the gym this morning and for the first time in many months, I used a treadmill.
I really enjoyed this session and what was really fun was noticing how my body was responding as I went from one training zone in to another.
On my first set, I started in my higher sub-aerobic zone ( I wanted to be inbetween my lower and upper aerobic zone). To get my heart rate into the next zone I increased the pace gradually. Without looking at my heart rate monitor I could feel that I had entered the lower end of my aerobic zone as my breathing changed from light breathing to controlled heavier breathing. I could almost feel my body starting to use a different energy system.
Towards the end of the session, as the stress of the exercise was increasing (due to the length of time exercising), my heart rate had climbed to the ceiling of my aerobic zone.
I can tell that I stayed in the right zone as my breathing was still controlled and heavier than earlier in the session, however, I know that, when I pass this point into my anaerobic zone my breathing is laboured and the stress on my body feels more taxed compared to the aerobic zone.
I would be really interested, to see, how close my perception of each training zone is compared to results from an actual maximum fitness test with specific heart rate numbers!
And so continues, my interest in, Perception of effort Vs Actual heart rate
I really enjoyed this session and what was really fun was noticing how my body was responding as I went from one training zone in to another.
On my first set, I started in my higher sub-aerobic zone ( I wanted to be inbetween my lower and upper aerobic zone). To get my heart rate into the next zone I increased the pace gradually. Without looking at my heart rate monitor I could feel that I had entered the lower end of my aerobic zone as my breathing changed from light breathing to controlled heavier breathing. I could almost feel my body starting to use a different energy system.
Towards the end of the session, as the stress of the exercise was increasing (due to the length of time exercising), my heart rate had climbed to the ceiling of my aerobic zone.
I can tell that I stayed in the right zone as my breathing was still controlled and heavier than earlier in the session, however, I know that, when I pass this point into my anaerobic zone my breathing is laboured and the stress on my body feels more taxed compared to the aerobic zone.
I would be really interested, to see, how close my perception of each training zone is compared to results from an actual maximum fitness test with specific heart rate numbers!
And so continues, my interest in, Perception of effort Vs Actual heart rate
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Getting the bike dirty...
Well, I have been out three times on my bike now and it's tough. At the moment my speed is low and my bike fitness is poor. I have a lot of work to do and some planning to improve my bike fitness.
I am really pleased with the weather at the moment, we have had some rain, however, I've still been able to ride and this is great.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Mental Adaptation
As I have mentioned below, to get different results to the past, I need to take on different approaches in my preparation and so on. Therefore, visiting Jacky with a new bike and preparing it before the bike has even been started, is a totally new approach, which seems now, completely obvious.
So, as my body takes on physical improvements through adaptation, I feel that, for me, I have taken on mental adaptation.
This means that instead of rushing to meet deadlines and not having enough time for anything (this is how I used to frequently feel), I am now in a position where I spend most my time planning & preparing.
This is really important for me, to keep practicing, if I am to attain my goals.
So, as my body takes on physical improvements through adaptation, I feel that, for me, I have taken on mental adaptation.
This means that instead of rushing to meet deadlines and not having enough time for anything (this is how I used to frequently feel), I am now in a position where I spend most my time planning & preparing.
This is really important for me, to keep practicing, if I am to attain my goals.
Dutch trip and Mixed emotions
I have just returned home from a great, productive trip to Jacky Boerman's house in Holland. The purpose of the trip was to collect my repaired Yamaha, which broke earlier this season and to prepare my new bike, suspension, carburetter & engine settings. We spent 45 minutes testing the bike at a typical Dutch track, really deep sand.
I felt rusty to start with and was very pleased with how the bike ran and handled.
I experienced some mixed emotions during the trip. Mostly, I was excited, a little sad leaving my family and then, excited about the trip, meeting Jacky and his family, the new bike, riding, travelling, collecting the Yamaha and so on.
The mixed emotions came when I left Jacky's. I felt a little sad when I left because we have a good relationship and I feel comfortable with the whole family.
This made me think about when I meet people. I have a tendency to become very relaxed and comfortable with people who I meet and form great relationships. This is great, as I have a lot of friends who I only see occasionally because they live in different countries or a long distance from my home in the U.K.
The mixed emotions, however, came from when I left and feeling a little sad to be leaving the Boerman family. My next thoughts moved onto getting home and seeing Kate and our kids.
Something didn't quite feel right.
I then noticed, that, I still had the feeling off leaving Jacky's when I started thinking about Kate and the girls and was therefore feeling sad when thinking about them in stead of being excited.
Once I had changed my mental state to being excited about seeing my family, I felt great and really enjoyed the trip home.
I felt rusty to start with and was very pleased with how the bike ran and handled.
I experienced some mixed emotions during the trip. Mostly, I was excited, a little sad leaving my family and then, excited about the trip, meeting Jacky and his family, the new bike, riding, travelling, collecting the Yamaha and so on.
The mixed emotions came when I left Jacky's. I felt a little sad when I left because we have a good relationship and I feel comfortable with the whole family.
This made me think about when I meet people. I have a tendency to become very relaxed and comfortable with people who I meet and form great relationships. This is great, as I have a lot of friends who I only see occasionally because they live in different countries or a long distance from my home in the U.K.
The mixed emotions, however, came from when I left and feeling a little sad to be leaving the Boerman family. My next thoughts moved onto getting home and seeing Kate and our kids.
Something didn't quite feel right.
I then noticed, that, I still had the feeling off leaving Jacky's when I started thinking about Kate and the girls and was therefore feeling sad when thinking about them in stead of being excited.
Once I had changed my mental state to being excited about seeing my family, I felt great and really enjoyed the trip home.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Review & Reward
Whilst coaching recentley, with a rider who I have been involved for sometime now, a conversation came up regarding 'review & reward'.
This is an important part of any goal, as I feel it is important to escape from my sport completely, to be able to keep fresh and charged to keep pushing for the best results I can get. As I get closer to finishing my goals at the track and coming to the end of the year, it is time to review where I am now (Am I on track for reaching my future goals?) and I am certainly looking forward to a planned meal out with friends who I have been working with this season.
This is an important part of any goal, as I feel it is important to escape from my sport completely, to be able to keep fresh and charged to keep pushing for the best results I can get. As I get closer to finishing my goals at the track and coming to the end of the year, it is time to review where I am now (Am I on track for reaching my future goals?) and I am certainly looking forward to a planned meal out with friends who I have been working with this season.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Sleep
As my training sessions become more challenging I have been struggling to maintain the balancing of my wheel (see blog below).
For the last 6 weeks (at least) I have been busy giving all areas of my life 100% and this means that I usually get, around, 7 hours sleep a night.
My training programme is set up in a way that I have good recovery training sessions after harder sessions. What I am noticing, now, as my training sessions get harder, I need more sleep for my body to recover and for adaptation to take place.
I feel great for getting 8 to 8.5 hours sleep and will now need to get even more done in the day to enable me to have a good time in the evenings and get to bed early!
For the last 6 weeks (at least) I have been busy giving all areas of my life 100% and this means that I usually get, around, 7 hours sleep a night.
My training programme is set up in a way that I have good recovery training sessions after harder sessions. What I am noticing, now, as my training sessions get harder, I need more sleep for my body to recover and for adaptation to take place.
I feel great for getting 8 to 8.5 hours sleep and will now need to get even more done in the day to enable me to have a good time in the evenings and get to bed early!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Actual heart rate vs Adverse weather conditions
As my training sessions start to change, I have become aware of different techniques of riding my bicycle to get the correct results for the sessions.
I know that, riding with a high cadence (the number of times my pedals do a complete cycle in a minute) I save energy, because it is more efficient. I like this because the higher my cadence the faster my body is moving, which I believe will help me on my motocross bike.
However, to keep my HR (heart rate) high, for a longer period of time, I find it easier to use the top ring on my front gears. This increases the wattage (harder to pedal) and bumps up my HR, although my body is moving slower, my legs are getting stronger.
My conclusion is that, so long as my HR is in the correct zone, either way is just as effective!
Something else that I have noticed is that, at this time of year, my cycle route, which heads South,East,North, then West has a head wind all the way around the circuit. This is great, the stronger the head wind, the more effort is required and it becomes easier for me to hit my HR target and the last thing I think about is cadence!
Likewise, if it is cold or raining, my motivation for working well is to keep warm!
I know that, riding with a high cadence (the number of times my pedals do a complete cycle in a minute) I save energy, because it is more efficient. I like this because the higher my cadence the faster my body is moving, which I believe will help me on my motocross bike.
However, to keep my HR (heart rate) high, for a longer period of time, I find it easier to use the top ring on my front gears. This increases the wattage (harder to pedal) and bumps up my HR, although my body is moving slower, my legs are getting stronger.
My conclusion is that, so long as my HR is in the correct zone, either way is just as effective!
Something else that I have noticed is that, at this time of year, my cycle route, which heads South,East,North, then West has a head wind all the way around the circuit. This is great, the stronger the head wind, the more effort is required and it becomes easier for me to hit my HR target and the last thing I think about is cadence!
Likewise, if it is cold or raining, my motivation for working well is to keep warm!
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Posture
In 1989, racing in a schoolboy British championship round, I had a crash and broke the 3rd bone down in my neck and had a compression fracture in my lower back. Of which I have recovered with no physical problems. However, I do feel that there was a turning point for me with my posture.
After having a 'halo' removed from my head (a metal frame work connected to a body piece) I was fitted with a collar which fitted around my chin, back of head and part way down my back and front. This was to be made from a plaster of paris mold first.
Whilst the doctor was making the cast around my shoulders, as I sat on a stool, she told me to relax. I replied that I was. She then asked me to relax even more, so I slumped my shoulders forward to relax even more. After wearing this collar of 6 weeks, my muscles and tends had adjusted to fit this shape. To me, it felt great to be collar free and was unaware of any change in my posture.
Over time and through training my shoulders are more square and I still need to think about my shoulders being back.
On my visit to Sheffield University I meet a person who assessed my body flexibility and strength. After performing some specific exercises he was able to point out my weak areas and without telling him before hand he pointed to where I have had passed injuries.
He gave me specific exercises to do, to improve my strength and posture. Along with the exercise and consciously reminding myself to keep my back straight and shoulder blades flat to back, I am very slowly getting to where I want to be.
This has also made me realise that there is no need for motocross specific exercises. A body is a body and needs to have strength in the right places to hold correct posture, whether you are a motocross rider or a Badminton player, being able to hold your body with good posture will allow you more efficient power as well as increased balance.
After having a 'halo' removed from my head (a metal frame work connected to a body piece) I was fitted with a collar which fitted around my chin, back of head and part way down my back and front. This was to be made from a plaster of paris mold first.
Whilst the doctor was making the cast around my shoulders, as I sat on a stool, she told me to relax. I replied that I was. She then asked me to relax even more, so I slumped my shoulders forward to relax even more. After wearing this collar of 6 weeks, my muscles and tends had adjusted to fit this shape. To me, it felt great to be collar free and was unaware of any change in my posture.
Over time and through training my shoulders are more square and I still need to think about my shoulders being back.
On my visit to Sheffield University I meet a person who assessed my body flexibility and strength. After performing some specific exercises he was able to point out my weak areas and without telling him before hand he pointed to where I have had passed injuries.
He gave me specific exercises to do, to improve my strength and posture. Along with the exercise and consciously reminding myself to keep my back straight and shoulder blades flat to back, I am very slowly getting to where I want to be.
This has also made me realise that there is no need for motocross specific exercises. A body is a body and needs to have strength in the right places to hold correct posture, whether you are a motocross rider or a Badminton player, being able to hold your body with good posture will allow you more efficient power as well as increased balance.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
First time rider - Kate
Today has been the first day, my wife, Kate, has ridden her TTR125 four stroke bike.
We had already practiced using the clutch to find the bitting point and moving roughly one metre.
After 5 minutes instructing, in the car park at my track, Kate was off and riding very well for the first time on a bike, using the gears and going quite fast around the outside of the car park.
It was fantastic to see her face lit up inside her lazer helmet.
After riding around the outside of the car park, I set her the challenge of riding around an oval marked out by two cones. Again after a couple of minutes instruction and a demonstration from myself (I really want to ride as well!), Kate started to ride really tight lines and looked comfortable, even though she was having to consciously think of all the skills she was learning.
Women, tend to be able to process more chunks of information per second, then men do and this gives good reason for women to be good at multitasking!
Kate was loving riding so much that she wanted a go on the main track. That was it, she was off and even managed to get some air on a table top jump!
We left the track after Kate had ridden for nearly two hours solid and I came away feeling quite emotional because Kate was so happy and pleased with herself after having so much fun. I felt overwhelmed because I was able to give something to Kate. Ever since knowing Kate, she has supported me, in motocross and now I can give her something back, something that she wants to do.
We had already practiced using the clutch to find the bitting point and moving roughly one metre.
After 5 minutes instructing, in the car park at my track, Kate was off and riding very well for the first time on a bike, using the gears and going quite fast around the outside of the car park.
It was fantastic to see her face lit up inside her lazer helmet.
After riding around the outside of the car park, I set her the challenge of riding around an oval marked out by two cones. Again after a couple of minutes instruction and a demonstration from myself (I really want to ride as well!), Kate started to ride really tight lines and looked comfortable, even though she was having to consciously think of all the skills she was learning.
Women, tend to be able to process more chunks of information per second, then men do and this gives good reason for women to be good at multitasking!
Kate was loving riding so much that she wanted a go on the main track. That was it, she was off and even managed to get some air on a table top jump!
We left the track after Kate had ridden for nearly two hours solid and I came away feeling quite emotional because Kate was so happy and pleased with herself after having so much fun. I felt overwhelmed because I was able to give something to Kate. Ever since knowing Kate, she has supported me, in motocross and now I can give her something back, something that she wants to do.
Mental discipline
Today, I have experienced the flip side to Perception of effort vs Actual heart rate.
My recovery ride this morning needed to be below 140 bpm and the closer to 120 bpm the better. This is a really easy ride and took mental discipline to keep at the required heart rate.
I am so fired up to get the results I want, that when training, I just want to rip everything up at 100 mph. So, to make sure I kept in the correct HR zone for recovery, I had to keep checking my monitor to make sure that my perception of effort was in fact where I needed to be - 120 to 140 bpm.
It is really important, for me, to recover after more strenuous training sessions as this will allow my body to adapt to the stress of the hard session from the previous day.
The largest gain in fitness comes from the recovery period rather than the hard session itself!
My recovery ride this morning needed to be below 140 bpm and the closer to 120 bpm the better. This is a really easy ride and took mental discipline to keep at the required heart rate.
I am so fired up to get the results I want, that when training, I just want to rip everything up at 100 mph. So, to make sure I kept in the correct HR zone for recovery, I had to keep checking my monitor to make sure that my perception of effort was in fact where I needed to be - 120 to 140 bpm.
It is really important, for me, to recover after more strenuous training sessions as this will allow my body to adapt to the stress of the hard session from the previous day.
The largest gain in fitness comes from the recovery period rather than the hard session itself!
Monday, November 06, 2006
'Perception of effort' vs Actual heart rate
On my cycle training session this morning, I gave thought to two parts, which seem to me, are closely linked:- Actual heart rate and 'perception of effort'.
This session was an aerobic workout, which means that the muscle groups in use are using oxygen for energy supply and improves general fitness. I was working at the higher end of this zone and set off on the ride with having a heart rate (HR) slightly over 156 beats per minute (BPM) (as worked out for my programme). The perception of effort, was to be 'somewhat hard'.
I found this interesting, as I was riding and consciously checking that my HR was slightly over 156, I would agree with myself that my perception of effort was 'somewhat hard'.
The further I got into the session the more I concentrated on my varied music (from the MP3 player!) and would consciously think about my 'perception of effort' to check how I was doing.
Getting into a rhythm and felling really at one with the bike, I glanced at the HR monitor to see that I was riding 163-165 BPM.
My thoughts snowballed on to thinking of my time doing a maximal HR test at Sheffield University. To check if a person is over training, the staff use a questionnaire. No fancy tests, just answer some questions.
If answering questions can tell you if you are over training, who says you are over training?
It can only be yourself.
So, if my 'perception of effort' is a higher HR than I should be training at (even if my HR is in a different zone) then, so long as I think my perception of what I am doing is equivalent to the sessions 'perception of effort' no over training should occur.
I will continue to monitor this as my sessions get harder!
If any men reading this think you my be over training, one of the questions for over training is: Do you have a woody when you wake up in the morning?
If you normally do and this stops happening, it's possible you are over training!
This session was an aerobic workout, which means that the muscle groups in use are using oxygen for energy supply and improves general fitness. I was working at the higher end of this zone and set off on the ride with having a heart rate (HR) slightly over 156 beats per minute (BPM) (as worked out for my programme). The perception of effort, was to be 'somewhat hard'.
I found this interesting, as I was riding and consciously checking that my HR was slightly over 156, I would agree with myself that my perception of effort was 'somewhat hard'.
The further I got into the session the more I concentrated on my varied music (from the MP3 player!) and would consciously think about my 'perception of effort' to check how I was doing.
Getting into a rhythm and felling really at one with the bike, I glanced at the HR monitor to see that I was riding 163-165 BPM.
My thoughts snowballed on to thinking of my time doing a maximal HR test at Sheffield University. To check if a person is over training, the staff use a questionnaire. No fancy tests, just answer some questions.
If answering questions can tell you if you are over training, who says you are over training?
It can only be yourself.
So, if my 'perception of effort' is a higher HR than I should be training at (even if my HR is in a different zone) then, so long as I think my perception of what I am doing is equivalent to the sessions 'perception of effort' no over training should occur.
I will continue to monitor this as my sessions get harder!
If any men reading this think you my be over training, one of the questions for over training is: Do you have a woody when you wake up in the morning?
If you normally do and this stops happening, it's possible you are over training!
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Win/Loose mentality
In the book '7 habits of effective people' the strategy of win/win situations is promoted and I think that has been a drawback for me in the past where I have used this in racing.
Racing requires a win/loose mentality.
The sequence of photos above is from a race I competed in, in Iceland. I won the first race easy and on the first lap of the second race I hit a hidden rock whilst leading and fell. I quickly moved up to second place and settled in to the leaders pace. As the race went on I had worked out where I would make my pass at the end of the race. The pace was quick and at one point I did wonder if I could win the race. However, it was very important to me to win the race and at this point the win/loose strategy was put to use.
It would have been great if he had stayed on because the last two laps would have made a great race even better. As soon as the race finished I went over to congratulate him on the great race!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Choosing to respond.
Being so busy, attending the bike show,meetings and building our shop has left me feeling frustrated and angry with myself for missing two training sessions in the week.
So, I spent a little bit of time thinking. I know that these feelings came from 'unfulfilled expectations' (I wanted to do the training as well as the other jobs) .
I then realised that I had chosen to do the jobs that,to me, had a higher priority. I need bikes to race, regardless of my fitness!
From reading '7 Habits of effective people' I am awear that there is a gap between something happening (Stimulus) and how I act to what has happened (Response). This is great because now I am aware of this I can choose to respond in away that empowers me. I have done this with my own thoughts realising that bikes are more important than fitness.
So, these frustrating feelings subsided and I was able to concentrate on making sure I could get out for my next session as soon as I could.
That session came today in the form of a Lactate Threshold (LT) cycle ride. I absolutely love these sessions. It requires riding the bike as fast as I can for 1 minute with 1 minutes recovery and repeating a total of ten times (After warming up and finishing with a cool down!).
My hear rate was quite low (only reaching 170-175 in my minute sprints) compared to results in the past, so I know, I need to make extra effort to perform these sessions to the best of my ability to get improved results. I must admit that the last two sprints where loud with the breathing and I had the feeling of wanting to be sick and I still LOVE these sessions!
Usually, I ride with headphones on and listen to the radio on my phone, it's a twenty mile road circuit I use and it's great to listen music as I ride. Today though, I have downloaded a few albums from my computer, D12, Jamiroqui,Now55 and Otis Reading, on to an MP3 player (I used to use a Mini ipod) and I was looking forward to listing to D12. Instead, I got the first track from each album and then the second track and so on. So, although I only hear my breathing on the hard sections of the ride, the recovery sections varied between rap, pop and soul music!
So, I spent a little bit of time thinking. I know that these feelings came from 'unfulfilled expectations' (I wanted to do the training as well as the other jobs) .
I then realised that I had chosen to do the jobs that,to me, had a higher priority. I need bikes to race, regardless of my fitness!
From reading '7 Habits of effective people' I am awear that there is a gap between something happening (Stimulus) and how I act to what has happened (Response). This is great because now I am aware of this I can choose to respond in away that empowers me. I have done this with my own thoughts realising that bikes are more important than fitness.
So, these frustrating feelings subsided and I was able to concentrate on making sure I could get out for my next session as soon as I could.
That session came today in the form of a Lactate Threshold (LT) cycle ride. I absolutely love these sessions. It requires riding the bike as fast as I can for 1 minute with 1 minutes recovery and repeating a total of ten times (After warming up and finishing with a cool down!).
My hear rate was quite low (only reaching 170-175 in my minute sprints) compared to results in the past, so I know, I need to make extra effort to perform these sessions to the best of my ability to get improved results. I must admit that the last two sprints where loud with the breathing and I had the feeling of wanting to be sick and I still LOVE these sessions!
Usually, I ride with headphones on and listen to the radio on my phone, it's a twenty mile road circuit I use and it's great to listen music as I ride. Today though, I have downloaded a few albums from my computer, D12, Jamiroqui,Now55 and Otis Reading, on to an MP3 player (I used to use a Mini ipod) and I was looking forward to listing to D12. Instead, I got the first track from each album and then the second track and so on. So, although I only hear my breathing on the hard sections of the ride, the recovery sections varied between rap, pop and soul music!
Cusworth bikes and Honda
I have been working with Custworth bikes to create a shop at my circuit Doncaster moto parc and I believe that we have truly produced a win/win situation.
It is important for me to keep customers riding all day when visiting us, allowing riders to replace any broken bike parts to keep their bikes running and for Cusworths to increase there turnover whilst reaching new customers and more awareness in the motocross sector.
With help from my dad (a joiner by trade), we have managed to turn our signing on container into a shop with a counter and slat walling to hang products on, this looks great and will help us be more efficient with riders signing on and the shop itself.
In between converting the container, I had a meeting with Kevin Williams from Honda and Chris Hall at Custworths and secured a deal that will allow me to use 6 bikes throughout next season (shown above).
These meetings are the end result of me exploring other opportunities to race with different teams and manufacturers and as soon as I had realised that riding Honda was a possibility, it was amazing how much drive I had to make sure riding Honda was the outcome.
I know, deep down, that Honda's are the best bike for me and that I produced excellent results in the Grand Prix and British Champs when riding them.
I also know that my mechanic from 2000, a Dutchman called Jacky Boerman, has great suspension settings, for me on Honda and will be able to produce an awesome engine and bike as a hole.
Jacky is an incredible mechanic and engineer and I would love to be able to acquire his services for the next three seasons.
It is important for me to keep customers riding all day when visiting us, allowing riders to replace any broken bike parts to keep their bikes running and for Cusworths to increase there turnover whilst reaching new customers and more awareness in the motocross sector.
With help from my dad (a joiner by trade), we have managed to turn our signing on container into a shop with a counter and slat walling to hang products on, this looks great and will help us be more efficient with riders signing on and the shop itself.
In between converting the container, I had a meeting with Kevin Williams from Honda and Chris Hall at Custworths and secured a deal that will allow me to use 6 bikes throughout next season (shown above).
These meetings are the end result of me exploring other opportunities to race with different teams and manufacturers and as soon as I had realised that riding Honda was a possibility, it was amazing how much drive I had to make sure riding Honda was the outcome.
I know, deep down, that Honda's are the best bike for me and that I produced excellent results in the Grand Prix and British Champs when riding them.
I also know that my mechanic from 2000, a Dutchman called Jacky Boerman, has great suspension settings, for me on Honda and will be able to produce an awesome engine and bike as a hole.
Jacky is an incredible mechanic and engineer and I would love to be able to acquire his services for the next three seasons.
Motorcycle show
A week can go so fast!
This week has been the motorcylce show at the N.E.C in Birmingham. I had been invited to go with Chris Hall who is the owner of Cusworth Bikes in Doncaster. A family business that has been running for over 50 years and is one of the biggest motorcycle dealers in South Yorkshire.
Whilst at the show we had the opportunity to speak to the right people at Honda, arranging a further meeting and secured sponsorship from the oil company Motul. I am really happy about this as it is outstanding oil and it is important to be able to keep replacing the oil regularly to enable the bike to perform at it's best.
Racing is getting closer!
This week has been the motorcylce show at the N.E.C in Birmingham. I had been invited to go with Chris Hall who is the owner of Cusworth Bikes in Doncaster. A family business that has been running for over 50 years and is one of the biggest motorcycle dealers in South Yorkshire.
Whilst at the show we had the opportunity to speak to the right people at Honda, arranging a further meeting and secured sponsorship from the oil company Motul. I am really happy about this as it is outstanding oil and it is important to be able to keep replacing the oil regularly to enable the bike to perform at it's best.
Racing is getting closer!
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