Derry-based Ryan Reilly (leading) emerged as a real strongman in 2014. Here he talks us through his training for this time of year (Photo: Toby Watson)
My Training Week
Name: Ryan Reilly, aged 18 year and riding with Foyle CC
Occupation: First year physiotherapy student at University Ulster Jordanstown, Belfast
Reilly enjoyed a real breakout year in 2014 when he won five races on home turf, including the Ulster Road Rac Championships; a fantastic performance for a second year junior riding agains some of the country's best elite athletes.
He also racked up some solid results in France where he rode for periods this year with Hennebont Cycling team.
Should be continue to progress he may gain selection for the Irish U23 team in the next couple of seasons.
Now back in training for 2015, he describes a typical week in mid-November as he tries to balance study with training:
“I haven't really started any proper training yet. So far, it’s mostly been off the bike stuff I’ve been doing. But as soon as I hit December I’ll be ramping it up a bit more."
Advertisement
Typical routine for this time of year
Monday:
“Today I’ll do a short jog of between 20 and 40 minutes with some stretching afterwards. This just keeps me ticking over and I find the stretching great to keep the legs from stiffening up.”
Tuesday:
Related News
“I do some core exercises for a total of an hour. I mightn’t do an hour straight but I could split it up throughout the day, like doing two half-hour sessions in the morning and evening.”
Wednesday:
“My first spin on the bike of the week since the weekend is usually around two hours in total but it’s easy stuff, like low end of zone two, which for me is just pedalling really. It’s not that intense at all.”
Thursday:
“Today I’ll go to the gym where I focus on strength exercises like leg presses and leg curls.”
Friday:
“Given it’s the end of the week I’m usually quite tired and with some long spins over the weekend it’s usually my easy day. I travel home from Belfast which is around an hour and a half but I usually do some stretching if I can.”
Saturday:
“Typically at this time of the year I’ll do 2-3 hours on the bike and incorporate a strength endurance session which involves low cadence on the hills.”
Sunday:
“My long spin of the week is done with my club, Foyle CC. We’d usually do between 4-5 hours during which I do a few one-minute zone 5 efforts, which are pretty much all-out efforts.”
Topics
