Starting GB Foundation 1 while racing

I'm super excited to start GB. I'm im the middle of a cyclocross race season, which is pretty demanding physically. Cyclocross for those who are not familiar is a very physical form of bike racing that combines extreme anaerobic efforts and some running. So I'm certain I will benefit from GB for the core stability and additional flexibility. My question is can I start GB and ease in a few days per week so as to not have a negative impact on my bike race prep and training, which involves copious amounts of recovery to be ready for weekend races? Anyone out there faced with a similar situation?

Matt

Hi Matthew I think that as a general preparation it can give you a good benefit also for a couple of week. especially of balancing your mobility deficit. one of my client is doing on daily basic IM's on foundations and he is an agonist freestyle bike athlete. the benefits on the other activity are definitely good.

Hi Matthew,

As you are currently in mid-season, definitely ease in.  At this time, your racing prep and the races themselves need to remain your first priority.

Just sprinkle in a few very light days early in the week.  Nothing intense.  In fact 'moderate at best' is the hardest you should allow yourself to work at this particular time.

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

@Matthew Kramer

I too have raced and enjoy Cyclocross.

I'm not racing this season, but in general, the CX season is so short. I'd just wait. Unless you road race and have road season starting ~2months post CX.

From my perspective, if I were you, I'd start with the Stretch Series. Do each of them once a week (Middle Split, Front Split, Thoracic Bridge). Most people lack flexibility and a good majority of the guys I raced with are in that boat as well.

While stretching sounds easy, the stretch videos are still a good workout. The Tim Ferriss podcast has a segment about his reaction to doing the stretch series. I felt the same way! During the front split workout, I was ~5min in and thinking -- holy crap I don't think I'm going to make it thru!

So get after the flexibility now and at the end of CX season consider starting Foundation 1.  Enjoy cyclocross!  Mattew, where do you live and race?

GB will help your racing in the long term, but I agree with the sentiment that it is not wise to do too much of a new thing in the middle of the race season.  I'd just get the program and play lightly around with the mobility and the exercises, but not seriously train them, until the season is done.  It will do you a world of good to do after the season to even out all the muscle asymmetries and postural problems you get from bike racing.  Enjoy.

Thanks for the input guys. I live and race in Northern California.