A week of winter training with Sara Poidevin
Building base is what a week in January is all about for Rally UHC's 22-year-old climber
In this recurring series, Canadian Cycling Magazine will take a look at the Monday to Friday training programs of some of Canada’s top cyclists. From the hours on the bike to the other activities and training that gets incorporated into their plans, we will get a glimpse on how Canada’s top road cyclists prepare for some of the worlds biggest races. First up is a January training week with 22-year-old Sara Poidevin of Canmore, Alta.Â
Sara Poidevin has been steadily progressing to become one of the top climbers in women’s cycling. The native of Canmore, Alta. joined Rally UHC Cycling in 2016. Over the past three seasons, Poidevin has proven to be one of the best under-23 cyclists in the world. The 2018 season was her best yet winning the young riders classification at the Tour of the Gila, the Tour of California and the Tour de l’Ardèche. Her year was highlighted when she finished 14th at the UCI Road World Championships in the elite women’s road race, the top under-23 rider in the event.
Entering her fourth season with Rally UHC, Poidevin is currently down south in the United States preparing for the 2019 season.
“I am currently in Tucson training with some of the other national team women. I still have a few months until my first race, so my training is primarily focused on building my endurance,” said Poidevin about her training program this week.
Training program for a week in January for Sara Poidevin
Monday
1-hour recovery ride in the a.m.
1-hour strength training in the p.m.
Tuesday
4 x 10 minutes within a 2.5-hour ride
Wednesday
8 x 5 minutes within a 2.5-hour ride
Thursday
3.5-hour endurance ride
Friday
1-hour recovery ride in the a.m.
1-hour strength training in the p.m.
Saturday
4-hour endurance ride
Sunday
4-hour endurance ride
Total ride time: 18.5 hours
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“My daily routine is relatively consistent, and I make adjustments depending on my training that day. Each morning, I do mobility and core before heading out on my training ride,” she said about a typical day at training camp in Tucson. “I usually nap in the afternoon, then do some additional core and stretching. In the afternoons and evenings, I do my schoolwork.”
At this time of year, Poidevin is only doing about 1.5 hours of intervals in an 18.5 hour week of riding. Combined with strength training this will help build the base for more intense workouts later in the season as the big season goals approach.
