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The Cycling Performance Management Chart (Podcast #59)

What is a cycling performance management chart and what can it do for you?  Is it just a way to graph your fitness?  Does it tell you if you're ready to race?  Will it keep you from overtraining?

The performance management chart (PMC) is one of the lifelines between an athlete and their structured training work load.  Many of my listeners, customers and athletes have asked me what all those squiggly little lines and numbers mean?  Sure, there's a basic concept of “keep on climbing” the fitness mountain, but it's a far more nuanced tool than just that, revealing information about your fitness, form and where you may potentially be overdoing it.

After the jump we'll discuss the basics of the PMC, how you manage your training and your fitness using a PMC, how to read all those little lines and how you can use the PMC as a tool to maximize your performance.  I'll also talk about what the PMC CAN'T do, which is perhaps the most important thing to know.

Check the show notes after the jump for more:

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Analyzing Your Cycling Season (Podcast #52)

If you don't know the strengths and weaknesses of your fitness, how can you possibly begin to work on them?  If you don't analyze your season, how can you possibly know your strengths and weaknesses?  Sure, you can probably guess at those strengths and weaknesses and you might get some of them right, especially the glaring ones like “I can't climb too well”.  Some other weaknesses aren't as obvious, and guessing at your fitness strengths and weaknesses, training blind and  then hoping for the best is a ticket to failure, or if not failure, sub-optimal performance in races, group rides and fondo rides.

It should sound obvious that you need to do some evaluation of last season's failures, but you should also evaluate your successes so you can improve upon your best performances.  In this episode of the Tailwind Coaching Podcast I'll discuss some tricks for what went right and what went wrong last season, along with why you're reviewing your season now and how to change your training in the coming months.

Click through for show notes and more information:

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Coaching Q&A (Podcast #28)

Training PlansHave you ever heard of the phrase “if you have a question, ask it.  Someone else probably has the same question but is afraid to ask it?”  Over my time in practice and coaching athletes, I've found this to be true time and time again.  Cyclists both young and old, new and seasoned, racer and group rider come to me with many of the same questions, each one looking for an answer as to why they are having trouble with something and how they can advance their fitness.  In most cases, it's simple changes to their program that can produce stellar results.

In today's podcast, I'll go over a couple of questions and concepts that I've been seeing a lot lately.  These are all things that you average cyclist needs to know in order to become a faster, stronger rider.  I'll shed some light on:

  • Do you need a power meter to train effectively?
  • Who benefits from training with power?
  • How many “A” races are too many?
  • What pitfalls are there in planning a season?
  • Why do my legs “get heavy and lose their ability to push?”
  • What can I address to take my fitness to the next level?

If you like what you hear, go over to the Tailwind Coaching Podcast on iTunes and rate it 5 stars.  Don't forget to post any questions to the Tailwind Coaching Facebook page.

And don't forget: BATTENKILL registration is November 15th at 7PM.  You can get my new, revised and improved 20 week Battenkill Training Plan in my store, and be well on your way to the podium.  Remember to save 10% with the coupon code in this week's podcast.

My Christmas Gift to My Readers

<align=”right”>Holiday EvoUpdated 12/23/2014:

I just wanted to take a moment to say Merry Christmas to all of my readers and customers.  May your holidays be filled with the joys of family and the gifts of friendship, happiness and cycling (of course.) Since 2015 is fast approaching, and since I've been hard at work releasing new training plans and HIT workouts to help you build your fitness and make you leaner and stronger here's my gift to you: use the code “3togo”, and you'll get 20% off all my training plans, HIT workouts and HIT Skill Packs.  Let me help you make 2015 your strongest year yet and one to remember.  Valid through the end of 2015!

See you in 2015!

Coaching: Back to Fundamentals

At a time of year when the leaves are flying, centuries are calling and fondos are in full swing, many cyclists struggle with holding their hard earned summer fitness in the waning daylight of the fall.  In the past couple weeks, I've seen (and received) a number of questions about maintaining form and fitness “for just a few more weeks.”  I'm going to let you in on a couple of secrets for your end of season woes.

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