The Psychology of Gravel Racing: Managing Doubt and Fear
How to train your mind as hard as your body so you can finish strong There’s a moment, or maybe more than one, in every long gravel event – you know the one. The legs are fine. The fuel is there. But somewhere around mile 60 (or 80, or 100), a voice starts whispering: You […]
Why Outcome Goals Are Making Athletes Quit (And How Process Goals Can Save Your Love of Sport)
by Coach Paul Warloski An endurance athlete puts everything into reaching that big race result, that performance milestone, that personal record. When he doesn’t hit it? He throws in the towel, takes time off the bike or off the running trail, and questions his value as an athlete. Sound familiar? Here’s the truth: If you […]
Racing on Empty: What I Learned About Training, Fatigue, and Gratitude at Gravel Nationals
by Coach Paul Warloski Three Things to Know About Gravel Nationals 2025 1. Even an A Race Can Go Sideways — and Still Be ValuableDespite not having the result I trained for, Gravel Nationals was still a meaningful experience, offering challenge, camaraderie, and perspective. Success isn’t always measured by a finish place. 2. Fatigue and […]
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 […]
Halfway Through the Comeback: Three Lessons from the Heart and Gravel Tour
by Coach Paul Warloski We’re now midway through the 2025 Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour, and I’ve learned a few powerful lessons. This year, I’ve committed to racing 10 gravel events across the Midwest on the road to Gravel Nationals in September—all while raising funds and awareness for pediatric heart care. Here are three takeaways […]
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. […]
Boost Your Cycling Performance with Affirmations: Strengthen Your Mindset for Confidence and Mental Toughness
This is the final installment in our three-part series on mental skills for cycling, inspired by Running Within by Jerry Lynch and Warren Scott. We’ve already explored relaxation and visualization-now it’s time to focus on affirmations, a powerful mental tool that shapes our mindset and performance on the bike. And while these articles are geared […]
How to Build Resilience in Endurance Sports: Turning Setbacks into Mental Toughness and Growth
How to Build Resilience in Endurance Sports: Turning Setbacks into Mental Toughness and Growth Setbacks are an inevitable…
