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 […]
Heart Rate Training for Endurance Athletes: Is It Still a Valuable Metric in 2025?
I still remember getting my first heart rate monitor back in the late 1980s. It was a watch that I wrapped around my handlebars and included a chest strap. The heart rate monitor changed everything about how I was training at the time. And I remember the beginning of the power meter in cycling, when […]
Train for the Heat: How Everyday Endurance Athletes Can Adapt and Perform in Hot Conditions
by Coach Paul Warloski As summer races heat up, so should your training—literally. Whether you’re a runner grinding out tempo miles or a cyclist pushing through long rides, training in hot conditions can feel like a slog. But if you’re not adapted to the heat, it’s more than just uncomfortable—it can be dangerous and performance-limiting. […]
Stronger Breathing, Better Racing: The Benefits of IMT and Breath-Hold Training
As a lifelong asthmatic, I’ve always had to work on my breathing—mostly with medications that helped sometimes, but not always. Asthma has unquestionably limited my ability to reach my peak performance on the bike. Lately, I’ve been exploring new approaches that are gaining traction: breath restriction tools like the Powerbreathe and breath-hold training techniques. Both […]
Burn Fat, Go Far: How Fat Max Training Boosts Endurance and Efficiency
by Coach Paul Warloski In all the conversation about Zone 2 training, one crucial piece often gets overlooked: the main reason we train in Zone 2 is to teach our body to burn fat as a fuel source. The most effective way to do that? Ride or run slowly enough so that you’re training in […]
Eat, Sleep, Race: Peak Performance Strategies for Tour of America’s Dairyland
Several Simple Endurance Coaching athletes have signed up for the whole Colby or Cheddar series at Tour of America’s Dairyland in Wisconsin, as well as the Grit series in Chicago. We’ve been talking a lot about how to manage five days or more of daily racing. The three most important elements for a successful race […]
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. […]
How Running Can Improve Cycling Performance and How Cycling Benefits Runners: The Science of Cross-Training
Runners often wonder if cycling can enhance their performance without adding extra stress to their bodies, and cyclists ask whether running can help build fitness and endurance. Interestingly, many world-class runners and triathletes incorporate significant amounts of cycling into their training because it provides a low-impact way to build aerobic capacity. Similarly, some cyclists run […]
Master Your Endurance Workout Intensity and Breathing with the Simple Talk Test
The Talk Test is a simple yet powerful tool for cyclists, runners, and triathletes to monitor exercise intensity and improve breathing during endurance training. Research suggests that it’s an effective method for gauging how hard you’re working based on your ability to speak during physical activity. Understanding the Talk Test The Talk Test categorizes exercise […]
Boost Your Aerobic Power: Mastering VO2max with HIIT and Long, Slow Distance Training
Your VO2max – or the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during intense exercise – is a measure of your aerobic fitness and endurance. The higher your VO2max, the more oxygen your body can take in and use, which means you can exercise harder and longer without getting as tired. It’s like your […]
