Coaching discussion

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Imagine sitting down with someone and having a coaching discussion at your dining room table.  That’s basically what my “coaching discussion” archives are.  These archives are a repository for all the coaching discussion I’ve penned in the past few years.

Browse through the archives of my coaching discussion and learn how to be a stronger cyclist.  Don’t forget you can contact me with questions or check out the Tailwind Coaching Newsletter for more great coaching discussion.

Periodization vs Reverse Periodization

Periodization is one of the ways to ensure your cycling fitness progresses throughout the season.  But in my last podcast, “Why Cyclists Don't Need Traditional Base Training” I talked briefly about the concept of reverse periodization.  What is reverse periodization, how can it benefit the average cyclist and when should you apply it to your training in order to get the most bang for your training buck?

In this episode of the Tailwind Coaching Podcast, I'll delve into the differences between periodization and reverse periodization.  I'll also give you some tips about how to apply reverse periodization concepts to your own training and give some examples of the types of interval efforts you'll typically see in a reverse periodization training plan.

Click through for the show notes and remember that the sponsor for this episode of the Tailwind Coaching Podcast is Stages Cycling.  Click that link, check out their excellent power meter offerings and help support the show with your purchase.

Don't forget to share this post with your friends, on Facebook, Twitter and via email.

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5 Secrets to Build a Functional Cycling Base

The base building phase is more than just long miles and zone 2 efforts in the cold (if you want to know why check out my podcast on why cyclists don't need traditional base training.)  To properly set yourself up for success next year, you'll want to put together a complete functional cycling base of fitness that you can build upon and carry through the entire cycling season.

True functional cycling base fitness prepares your body for harder efforts later in the year. It is vital to a long, prosperous riding season. Here's an example: If you think of your fitness like a house with a weak foundation, you know it won't last for years upon years. Without that solid functional foundation, your performance fitness will crumble over the course of the season no matter how much you try to train.

Click through for my 5 secrets of building a functional cycling base, share them with your friends and teammates and get on your way to your strongest season ever.  And since not everyone is comfortable with planning their own training, you can scroll down for a discount code that will make it even more affordable to follow one of my downloadable training plans.

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Why Cyclists Don’t Need Traditional Base Training

During the winter months, many cyclists take on a steady diet of traditional base training: long, slow zone 2 or “aerobic” training rides.  For years, this has been the gospel for cyclists of all types, from the pros down to the greenest cat 5 racers, from endurance riders to crit racers to gran fondo riders.  The question is, with all the science coming out touting the benefits of high-intensity interval training, are those long base miles the key to season-long success or are they doing more harm than good?

In today's podcast, I'll explore the concept of traditional base training, how it's supposed to be done, who needs that traditional base training and who doesn't need it.  I'll also give you a way to compromise on your traditional base training which can help you maintain your high-end fitness throughout your base period and leave you stronger and fresher during the season.

Click through for the show notes and remember that the sponsor for this episode of the Tailwind Coaching Podcast is Stages Cycling.  Check out their power meters and help support the show!

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Zwift Training – Rolling Climbs

Zwift training is a hot new form of indoor training that has people excited.  In a nutshell, Zwift training allows you to sit on a trainer in your living room and ride in a virtual environment with people from all over the world who are doing the exact same thing.

How cool is that?

In previous videos, I discussed how to include some Fartlek training in your Zwift training sessions and how to use the new workout builder to create a custom workout in Zwift.  In this video, I'm going to explain and demonstrate how to roll a climb.  This kind of skill work is a perfect use of your Zwift training time because it's hard to understand how to execute it properly without being out on the road.  Fortunately, Zwift is the perfect virtual road to demonstrate on.

Check out the video below and then read on for some additional tips to help get a little more out of your Zwift training session.

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High Intensity Interval Training Part 2 – Programming Workouts

Last time on the Tailwind Coaching Podcast, I talked about the science behind high intensity interval training.  In the end of that podcast, I said that I'd be back to talk about how to program high intensity interval training into your schedule and avoid some of the pitfalls that typically plague the HIT protocol.  I also said I'd give you a few different kinds of workouts to try adding to your training sessions.  You'll find those at the end of these show notes; all you have to do is share this podcast with your friends or get yourself signed on to the Tailwind Coaching Newsletter to download them.

So listen to the podcast, check out the show notes below, share with your friends and learn how to put more HIT into your riding!

As a reminder, the sponsor for this episode of the Tailwind Coaching Podcast is Stages Cycling.  Check out their power meters and help support the show!

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