Let Them Go: How Parents Can Support Their Kids in Endurance Sport Racing Without Taking Over
I spent a weekend at the Trek Cup cyclocross race in October and watched a lot of parents support their children racers. The research and top junior coaches suggest an important element in child development: the best way to help kids become strong athletes and resilient people is to let them take ownership of their […]
Hazel Valley Rally: Fighting Heat, Humidity, and 6,000 Feet of Climbing on the ‘Have Mercy On Me’ Route
by Coach Anthony James The Hazel Valley Rally’s Have Mercy On Me route lives up to its name — 62.5 miles of relentless Ozark gravel, more than 6,000 feet of climbing, and a brutal mix of heat and humidity that tested every ounce of grit I had. What began as a calm 5 a.m. start […]
How to Hydrate Before a Race: Finding the Right Balance
by Coach Anja Lanser Hydration can make or break an athlete’s performance on race day. But while many athletes focus on avoiding dehydration, it’s possible to go too far in the other direction — overhydrating, which can harm performance just as much. Understanding how much water and electrolytes your body really needs is key to […]
The Power & Pitfalls of Group Endurance Workouts: Why Riding or Running Together Can Make—or Break—Your Training
It’s mid-summer, and that means you’ve likely been getting out with your friends for group rides or runs. Group exercise isn’t just about fitness—it’s a complex blend of physiological, psychological, and social factors that shape your performance, enjoyment, and consistency. Whether you’re in a peloton, a running club, or a spin class, group workouts offer […]
Mental Toughness for Endurance Athletes: 5 Research-Backed Strategies to Build Resilience and Peak Performance
by Coach Anthony James Mental toughness is what allows endurance athletes to keep going when everything hurts and quitting seems easier. Whether it’s pushing through the last miles of a race, battling headwinds, or confronting the voice of self-doubt, mental toughness helps you go farther than you thought possible. And like endurance itself, it’s a […]
Why Endurance Coaching Works: 6 Research-Backed Benefits of a Personalized Plan, Accountability, and Goal Setting
by Coach Paul Warloski At some point in your journey as an endurance athlete, you might set a BHAG—a Big, Hairy Audacious Goal. Maybe it’s finishing your first trail marathon, chasing a podium spot in cyclocross, beating your personal best in a gravel race, or seeing what you’re really capable of in a sprint triathlon. […]
Meet Coach Anthony James: Helping Mountain Bikers Ride Stronger, Smarter, and With More Confidence
Meet Coach Anthony James: Helping Mountain Bikers Ride Stronger, Smarter, and With More Confidence We’re thrilled to welcome…
From Heart Scare to Comeback: The Journey Behind the Heart and Gravel Tour
The summer of 2023 started off well for training and racing my bike I was holding my own in the challenging group rides with guys half my age on Saturday mornings. When I started to have some irregular heartbeats, sometimes on rides, I thought they were just spasms and ignored them. Even when I was […]
Adopting a Pro Athlete Mindset: How Making Key Lifestyle Changes Can Bring Success for Everyday Endurance Athletes
One of my junior clients texted me from St. Louis after one of the Gateway Cup crits didn’t go very well. “I’m actually so done. I’ll do anything to get better. I will not complain, I will do everything this winter.” The junior had done well in Cat. 4s in the Chicago Grit series, but […]
Unlocking Athlete Success: Shifting Focus from Results to Achievements
I asked one of my athletes how her race went last weekend. “I got fourth,” she said. While getting fourth is great, especially if you’re a performance-minded endurance athlete, that’s not quite the answer I’m looking for as a coach. I want to know how the athlete felt, whether they were satisfied with their effort, […]
