Masters Athletes: The Break Your Body Craves (Even If You Hate Taking It)
I hated taking a break after a season. In fact, I rarely took an off-season, maybe a weekend off racing. But this year, I limped into the cross season after a long year of hard gravel racing. So I actually took a two-week break this year from racing and structured training. If you’re like many […]
Race-Week Fueling: How to Eat During Your Taper for Peak Performance
by Coach Paul Warloski You’ve reduced your training volume to freshen up before your A event, whether it’s cyclocross, gravel bike race, or a trail run. Now match it with smart nutrition during your taper. During the seven to 14 days before your A-priority race, the goal isn’t to eat less; it’s to arrive topped […]
Breathe with Your Feet: Syncing Running Cadence and Breathing for Better Performance
Breathe with Your Feet: What Science Says About Syncing Breaths to Running Cadence (and How to Train It) By Coach Nicole Ford Three Things to Know About Breathing Cadence When You Run What the research says LRC (locomotor–respiratory coupling) is real and common. Runners often coordinate breathing to stepping at integer ratios (e.g., 2:2, 3:2). […]
When Your Gut Rebels on the Run: Why GI Distress Happens—and What You Can Do About It
by Coach Nicole Ford Here are Three Things to Know About GI Distress During Running 1. GI distress is common and multifactorialUp to half of endurance runners experience GI symptoms, especially in long ultramarathons. Causes include reduced gut blood flow, heat stress, mechanical jostling, and certain fueling or hydration strategies. 2. Training the gut is […]
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 […]
How Often Should You Eat During a Long Bike Race?
When you’re racing or riding for hours, keeping your energy steady is critical. Most cyclists know they should eat and drink on the bike—but the real question is: how often should you fuel? Every 20 minutes or every hour? Research gives us some clear answers – sort of. The bottom line is that it seems […]
Time-Restricted Eating for Menopausal Endurance Athletes: Benefits, Risks, and Practical Tips
One of my endurance athletes, a woman in her 50s, recently asked me about Time-Restricted Eating (TRE)—also known as intermittent fasting—and whether it’s a good idea for menopausal women. Many people try TRE to lose weight, but emerging studies suggest that fasting may also positively affect metabolic health, hormonal function, and fat oxidation. However, for […]
Why Am I Still Gaining Belly Fat If I’m Training So Much?
As an older athlete, you ride, you run. You train almost every day. And yet… the belly fat seems to be sticking around—or even growing. What gives? You’re not alone. Many middle-aged endurance athletes experience this frustrating phenomenon. Several of my athletes have asked about weight loss, so I did some reading into the research […]
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. […]
