training Archives - Page 22 of 27

Peak Performance Concepts (Podcast #10)

With spring racing in full force, many people are hitting the peak phase of their periodized training plans. Periodized training is a method by which an athlete structures their training towards certain goals, and it consists of a long term, full year picture (macrocycle), smaller blocks of training and recovery (mesocycles, typically 4 weeks long) and the single week's worth of training and recovery (microcycle).

Within this concept of periodized training, the ultimate goal of a training block, which I like to refer to as a super-mesocycle (basically a group of 3 or 4 mesocyles bundled together) is a peak performance, usually for an “A” category race. The question most athletes ask is “What exactly is peak performance and how do I get there?” After an event, people often ask me “Why was my performance so poor? Did I not train enough?”

I'd like to suggest that peak performance is not really driven by what happens during the “build phases” of your training plan, and is not really driven by the amount of training you've done (to some extent anyway.) You can be one of the fittest riders in the group, but a poor quality “peak” phase can destroy an otherwise strong and fit athlete.

On today's podcast, we'll learn what the significance of the “peak” phase is and how we transition from the build phase into a peak performance, including:

The peaking model
Building form vs. fitness
Peak week intensity, frequency and duration
The importance of “painkillers” in relation to peak performance
Should you rest the day before an “A” race?

As a reminder, you can get a FREE “Berg Buster” HIT workout by using the code “classicsgift” through April 21st.

Thoughts? Comments? Remember to head over to iTunes and leave a review if you enjoyed the podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:28 — 19.0MB)

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Tags: battenkill, Coaching, podcast, racing, training|

Spring Training Myths (Podcast #9)

Spring has sprung in the northeast, and that means forums are humming with training discussions and group rides are filled with chatter of “how have you been training?” There's a lot of talk about sweet spots, hill repeats and base miles. If you dissect those conversations, how many of them contain legitimate information and how many are just stuffed with buzz words and poor implementation of (misunderstood) concepts?

In today's podcast, we'll discuss a few training concepts that I've seen talked about recently, what people are saying (incorrectly) about implementing them, and how you can avoid those pitfalls.

We'll cover:

I also hope everyone notices that the Tailwind Coaching podcast is now on STITCHER and PODBEAN. Check it out there for mobile options and more download options.

Questions or comments? Post below and start the discussion.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:22 — 24.0MB)

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Tags: Coaching, podcast, training|

Knee Pain Primer

Knee injuries can destroy a season

[dc]W[/dc]ith spring rearing it's much welcomed head, a lot of riders are in the midst of building fitness towards their early season racing programs. A lot more are just ramping it up getting ready for the beck and call of sweaty summer club throwdowns. But whether you've been riding hard since December, hoping to podium at that spring "classic" or you're just starting up your training, one thing can slow all of us to a crawl: knee pain. At some point in our cycling lifetime we'll all experience it, and we'll all know the suffering of sitting on the couch while we wonder "why me" or "why now?"

Instead of asking those questions, it's more prudent to ask "what caused this" along with treating the symptoms that put you out of commission. Here we'll take a quick look at some of the reasons your knees may be throbbing and help you shed some light on why you're couch surfing.

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Tags: injury, road bike, training|

Taking Your Training Plan Outside! (Podcast #8)

I've heard a lot of discussion and received a number of emails lately, all with basically the same question: the weather is nice and I want to get outside again, but I'm following this training plan. How do I convert these intervals to my outdoor rides?

It's really not as hard as you would think, but there are a few concepts that you need to keep in mind when you're converting those neatly designed intervals into outdoor rides. In today's podcast we'll discuss:

How training plans are written/developed for indoor use
What you've been working on for the past two training cycles (hint: FUNDAMENTALS!)
How to use/apply those fundamentals outside
Breaking up your intervals, but still getting the right amount of work done
Using terrain, wind and groups to help you accomplish your interval goals
Learning when to apply those fundamental principles out on the road in order to see the most benefit
Understanding that it's perfectly ok to crack or fail once in a while

Enjoy, and as always, feel free to post any questions, comments or tips of your own in the comments.

BONUS: Included in today's podcast is a coupon code for 20% off my pre-built training plans and HIT workouts. Don't give up your fitness for Lent (give up the Doritos instead!) Take advantage of this offer and get stronger and faster in March!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:58 — 14.6MB)

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Tags: Coaching, podcast, training|

The Nature of Pain

[dc]P[/dc]ain is an interesting, often elusive and sometimes debilitating creature. Almost always negative in connotation, it denotes a kind of suffering, either physical or mental, as a result of some assault upon our body or mind. As human beings, we associate pain with misery, with suffering, with disability and typically strive to avoid it wherever possible. However odd it may seem, athletes in general (and cyclists in particular) seem to live for the rush of agony that often accompanies competition.

But why? What is it about this universally negative condition that drives some of us to seek it out while the majority of the population tries to escape it?

What, really, is the nature of pain?

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Tags: Motivation, physiology, training|