training

Home/Tag: training

Two Keys To Building Functional Threshold Power

Building functional threshold power is one of the biggest objectives of most competitive cyclists.  Cyclists everywhere like to brag about how many watts they put out at threshold.  Coffee shop talk is dominated by phrases like “watts per kilogram” and “threshold intervals” in the pursuit of more cycling power.  Interval training programs are based on the concept of how much power you can put out at threshold.

I'm telling you that functional threshold power is indeed one of the biggest goalposts we measure fitness by.  The way we've consistently tried to train it has evolved over the years, but the basic concept remains the same: increase aerobic power at and under your threshold.  There are a few ways to improve your functional threshold power without having to spend hours, days or weeks doing 20 minute threshold efforts.

Quite simply, if you want your functional threshold power to grow, you can either train longer, train smarter or train harder.  Click through the jump to listen to my latest podcast.  You'll learn two keys that will help you train smarter, giving you a jump on building functional threshold power in the base phase.
(more…)

Tags: , , , |

5 Things The Best Cyclists Do At The End Of The Cycling Season

The end of the cycling season is a tough time for many cyclists.  The weather turns cold and the days shorten. Cyclists everywhere are forced inside to trainers and rollers for winter training.  But the fall cycling season is the perfect time to get your house in order for the coming off-season.

Since you should be tapering into your off-season, you have more time to think about your next season objectives.  Set your goals and objectives for the next season.  Sit down and evaluate the past season and see where you can make improvements in your preparation and fitness.  You are on the bike less, so you can do all these things that you have been neglecting in favor of putting in training miles!

To help you strengthen your off-season preparation, I'm going to give you a couple of tips to get you started.  Click through the break to find these 5 things the best cyclists do at the end of the cycling season and learn how to turn autumn gloom into spring success:

(more…)

Tags: , , , |

The Ultimate Guide To Off Season Bike Training

If you're a cyclist looking to improve your performance, winter is the perfect time to adjust your bike training routine for the coming season.  You can get your plan for next season down and start attacking your goals and objectives early.  And by starting early, you can ensure you don't panic as you get closer to your season targets.

The thing to remember is that your offseason isn't a mashup of cross training, strength training and riding.  All of your training should be carefully evaluated and scheduled to maximize the effectiveness of each workout.  In order to do that, you need to get your off-season preparation started NOW.

Click through the break and I'll show you how to get started on building your most effective off-season bike training program ever!

(more…)

Tags: , , , , |

Cycling Coaching Questions and Answers #3

As an online cycling coach, I get a lot of questions emailed to me.  Every so often, I take a sampling of those questions and answer them for the benefit of everyone who listens to the Tailwind Coaching Podcast.

In this Q&A episode, I'll tackle plenty of training and fitness questions.  If you've ever been dropped on a group ride, you'll want to check out what I have to say.  Some others have been confused as to the best way to test functional threshold power or evaluate their performance improvements.  Folks from the southern hemisphere will be pleased to learn about training in the heat.  Beginners get some love with some questions about riding harder vs riding longer and Gran Fondo and long distance racers get some attention with a discussion about long distance training.  Finally, check out a basic power meter setup with a question about the bare minimum you need to start training with power.

Without further ado…

Coaching Questions and Answers

Below you'll find some links and information to expand on what I've covered in this podcast. 464yepvn (more…)

Tags: , , , , |

Is there value in “junk miles”

Traditionally, Labor Day marks the end of the road and crit racing season and the start of cyclocross.  For me, that means it's time to shut down the training and wind down for the season.  Most people start easing into the off-season by riding for fun and putting in a few “junk miles.”  I've mentioned in the past that fall is my favorite time of year to ride, and this year will be no exception.  Getting away from training is often a refreshing change of pace.

This year, I've spent most of the year away from my bike, so there's no training to get away from.

For the first time in many years, I've put in less than 2,000 riding miles.  I've done minimal training and I've raced fewer times than I have fingers on one hand.  My riding has been limited to 40 miles every 10 days or so.  With that little riding, it's been impossible to train with any regularity.  I've been stuck with short, high-intensity efforts in a desperate attempt to find some form and fitness.  Alas, it was not to be.

This year, my riding has basically been “junk miles.”

Just this morning after a short hour on the deep back roads of NJ, I came to this realization.  I also realized that I have learned something through this year's lack of training.

Click through and learn what junk miles mean to me and what they could mean to you.

(more…)

Tags: , , , |
Copyright Tailwind Coaching 2012-2017 | All Rights Reserved | Tailwind Coaching is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.