I’m Getting Tired of Racing Every Weekend. Should I Keep Going?
It happens somewhere in the middle or toward the end of the cyclocross season. Early in the season, you couldn’t wait for the weekend. You were checking the weather, thinking about tire pressure, looking at the course map, and wondering who else was racing. Now it’s Thursday, and you’re thinking: Do I really want to […]
I’m Racing Cyclocross Every Weekend. Can I Still Get Faster?
You’re racing cyclocross almost every weekend. That means a hard race on Sunday, a couple of days recovering from it, maybe one or two decent training days, and suddenly you’re getting ready to race again. So when exactly are you supposed to get faster? This becomes an especially important question if your biggest goals aren’t […]
Why Am I Still Tired Two Days After a Cyclocross Race?
It’s Tuesday morning. You raced cyclocross on Sunday, took it easy Monday, and expected to wake up feeling reasonably normal. Instead, your legs are heavy. Walking downstairs doesn’t feel particularly good. Your motivation to train isn’t exactly overflowing. And now you’re wondering: Should I train today, or do I need more recovery? For most masters […]
How to Plan a Cyclocross Season Without Burning Out: A Smarter Cyclocross Race Schedule for Peak Performance
Cyclocross season is exciting because there is almost always another race next weekend. That also creates one of the biggest mistakes riders make. They race every weekend, travel every chance they get, push every event as if it’s the most important race of the year, and wonder why they feel flat when championship season arrives. […]
Why You’re Not Getting Faster After 40 (And What Your Body Actually Needs)
You aren’t getting slower because you’re over 40. You’re getting slower because your body is asking for something different than it did when you were 25. I see it all the time. A gravel cyclist comes to me frustrated because they’ve been riding more than ever, yet they don’t seem to be making progress. A […]
Do Hard Efforts “Ruin” an Endurance Ride? What Every Cyclist Needs to Know
You head out for a Zone 2 ride. Then a hill shows up. You push a little harder. Maybe into threshold. Maybe you sprint over the top. And then the question hits: “Did I just ruin the purpose of this ride?” It’s a common concern—especially with all the talk about Zone 2, polarized training, and […]
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 […]
Fuel for the Work Required: A Periodized Nutrition Approach for Everyday Endurance Athletes
Training is periodized for a reason—you manipulate load, intensity, and recovery to maximize adaptation. Your nutrition or fueling should work the same way. “Fuel for the work required” means aligning energy and carbohydrate availability with the demands and goals of each training session. This approach improves training quality, supports targeted adaptation, and manages recovery, without […]
Why Am I Gaining Belly Fat Even Though I’m Training? What Masters Cyclists Need to Know
You ride four or five days a week. You train for gravel races or cyclocross, complete your intervals, and put in long endurance rides on the weekends. But when you look in the mirror, you notice something frustrating: you’re gaining belly fat, or at least not losing it. How can you train so much and […]
How to Fuel, Warm Up, and Recover Between Two Cyclocross Races in One Day
For many cyclocross racers—especially juniors, masters, or those chasing series points—doing two races in one day can be part of the experience. Whether it’s a back-to-back doubleheader or a morning and afternoon event, racing twice in a day presents unique physical and mental challenges. So, how do you prepare, fuel, and recover to optimize both […]
