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Giro d’Italia Modular Training Special

Giro d'italia 2013 route map[dc]M[/dc]ay means the Giro d'Italia is looming on the horizon and spring has arrived in a big way.  The spring classics are behind us and we turn from the slippery cobbles, the leg breaking bergs and the sharp Ardennes pitches to the serene beauty of Italy.  Now the goal is not to win on any given day, but to survive the long haul, bringing home the ultimate prize: the Maglia Rosa.  And of course, there's an amazing phenomenon observed during a grand tour: people are inspired by the efforts of the professional cyclists they're watching on TV, plying their trade on some of the most beautiful terrain in the world.

If you're one of those people who uses the Giro for motivation and you want to get a little more out of your spring training blocks, now's your chance: the sun is shining high in the sky and motivation is pouring out of the TV right now.  Don't miss the chance to boost your fitness and ride your buddies off your wheel like Vincenzo Nibali, Ryder Hesjedal or Nairo Quintana.

Below you'll find your Giro 2016 discount code, active during the entirety of the Giro d'Italia, May 6 to May 29, 2015.

Sorry, the Giro isn't happening now!

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Quarq Warranty Experience (Part Deux)

Quarq Cinqo Installed[dc]A[/dc]s I reported back in December, I had an issue with my Quarq Cinqo Saturn unit.  Specifically, I had ridden in wet conditions, and the unit died shortly thereafter.  On that occasion, Quarq replaced the unit, however with it being around the holidays, turnaround was about 10 days.  I received a new electronics pod on the original spider, along with the explanation that "there was a run of bad pods, and this was probably one of them."  I was told that there shouldn't be any more issues with my Cinqo.  Fair enough, back to training and all was right in my world.

Fast forward to February, 2013.  After a training ride for Battenkill (in other words, pissing rain, lots of dirt roads and mud, and overall shitty weather) the magic stopped a second time, and my Cinqo was once again dead.  Off to South Dakota with it again, this time overnight, only to be replaced again.  I had a brand new electronics pod AND spider in hand in 4 days, I was told that there wouldn't be another problem with it, and again all was right in my world.

Or should I say it was until Friday, April 12th.

 

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Beginner’s Guide to Training With Power (part 3)

In part 3 of my “Beginners Guide to Training With Power” we'll look at building a few performance profiles.  There are two key metrics that will determine where you focus your training time.  Before you read on, I suggest you read the previous articles to refresh your memory as to what we're talking about:

Beginner's Guide to Training with Power: Part 1

Beginner's Guide to Training with Power: Part 2

Once you've refreshed your memory, we'll focus on two topics that will heavily govern your training and racing strategy.  These are your power and fatigue resistance profiles.

I'll describe each of them after the break and tell you how they can guide your training.

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Functional Threshold Power: What Is It and How Do We Train With It?

Functional Threshold Power is better known as FTP.  What is it? What do we do with it?  Why is it so important to my cycling?

Athletes almost always have these questions when they begin training with power.  When an athlete begins their training plans to prepare for next season's goal races, gran fondos and centuries, they need to address this metric.  They're looking for the best and quickest ways to improve their performances, but many seem to be having trouble with the training concepts behind FTP.  Questions have predominated about what it is, why we use it and how we calculate it for a long time.

In this latest edition of the Tailwind Coaching Podcast, I attempt to dispel some of the myths behind FTP: how we test it, why we need to know it and how we use it.

After the jump, look into functional threshold power a little more and learn how you can use it to enhance your training.

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Coaching Updates: High Intensity Trainer Workouts and Announcements

Start thinking about next season

For those of you who are ending your season soon and haven't thought about the next one, all I can say is:

WHY NOT!?!?!

You should be reviewing the successes and failures of your current season and thinking about your goals and aspirations for next season.  If you're contemplating hiring a coach to help you reach those goals, now is the time in the season to start thinking about it.  I've been hard at work  refining my training plans and building new workouts for my athletes.  Of course, one-on-one coaching is extremely focused and for that reason I limit the number of athletes I'm able to coach one-on-one.  Check out my coaching services if you're thinking of recruiting a little help to ensure you meet your goals.  Hoping to race Battenkill?  Want to PR at Gran Fondo NY?  Have a crit series on the calendar?  I've got the tools to make you leaner, stronger and faster, if you've got the drive and commitment.

 HIT Workouts

As some of you may have seen from my Strava uploads, I've been busy testing a number of different High Intensity Trainer (HIT) workouts recently.  These workouts are specifically designed for indoor trainer use (and with the shortening days and the holidays not far off, that's where you'll find most of us very soon) and are designed to build fitness and fundamental skills in very short times.  I've made the first few of the available on my Training Plans page, and keep your eyes open for more and more of them.  As a bonus (or an incentive, depending upon who you are) I'll be including ALL of my HIT workouts in my one-on-one coaching programs at NO extra charge!  That means you'll have access to these killer workouts as part of your customized training plans, giving you even MORE improvement in your speed, strength, skill and endurance.

Keep your eyes on this space for future coaching announcements and new workouts.

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