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 […]
The Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour: Racing, Recovery, and Raising Hope
In 2025, I’m doing 11 gravel races throughout the Midwest to celebrate that my heart is beating normally again and to raise money for pediatric cardiac care. I’m calling it “The Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour 2025.” I’ve had two ablations in the past two years to fix ventricular tachycardia, and the second, done last […]
Mastering Process Goals: A Guide for Endurance Athletes to Achieve Success in 2025
As endurance athletes, effective goal setting is essential to staying motivated and excelling in your training. However, while outcome goals-like completing a race or achieving a specific time-are important, they often overshadow the real drivers of progress: process goals. This blog will guide you in setting effective process goals to support your big ambitions in […]
The Power of Sleep: Essential Recovery Strategies for Older Endurance Athletes
For older endurance athletes-cyclists, runners, and triathletes-adequate sleep is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. As we age, the demands of training, recovery, and life stressors require a deliberate focus on quality rest. Sleep plays a central role in recovery, mental health, hormonal balance, and physical performance, particularly for athletes over 40 who need […]
The Best Way to Fuel Early Morning Workouts: Quick Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition for Endurance Athletes
I typically dislike early morning workouts – a lot! But I’ll be teaching some crack of dawn cycling classes starting in December, so I need to know what to eat before and after the workouts. Fueling effectively before and after these sessions is crucial when you’re preparing for gravel racing, trail running, or next year’s […]
Master Mindful Breathing for Endurance: Techniques to Boost Performance for Cyclists and Runners
One of the best parts of being a yoga instructor is the regular breathing practice I get for myself. Endurance athletes know the critical importance of strength, stamina, and mental resilience. Yet one often overlooked tool that can greatly enhance performance is mindful breathing. By combining breathing techniques with mindfulness and integrating practices like yoga […]
Essential Winter Training Tips for Endurance Athletes: Get Race-Ready for 2025
As winter sets in, many endurance athletes face the challenge of maintaining their training routines through cold, dark, and sometimes unpredictable weather, especially if you’re in northern climates like I have in Wisconsin. Whether you’re a cyclist, runner, or triathlete, staying consistent over the winter is key to starting the 2025 race season strong. Whether […]
Base Training for Cyclists, Runners, and Triathletes: How to Build Endurance, Strength, and Recovery for a Successful 2025 Season
As we look toward the 2025 season, it’s time to lay the foundation for your best year yet. This begins with a structured base period, a crucial phase in any endurance athlete’s training plan. Base training builds the aerobic endurance, strength, and durability needed to handle more intense phases later on and helps you perform […]
Sodium Intake for Endurance Athletes: How Much Is Too Much?
I’m working with one of my junior athletes who’s been struggling to eat enough calories to fuel his riding. We tracked his intake through a fitness app, and one of the surprising things we found was some very high sodium levels from processed foods. As an endurance athlete, you know the importance of hydration and […]
How Cyclists Over 50 Can Maximize Their Online Training
As cyclists age, staying fit and strong on the bike requires a more strategic approach to training. For cyclists over 50, using online training platforms like Zwift, My Whoosh, and Rouvy can be a game-changer. These platforms offer a variety of training tools to help maintain fitness, improve performance, and keep the love of cycling […]
