Five Key Principles of Winter Base Training To Keep You Fresh and Motivated
It can be a challenge during the winter months (in most of the northern hemisphere) to get in long, endurance miles. But those miles, whether you’re running or riding, are the base training you need for the rest of your training season. You still need some intensity, strength training, and yoga, but it’s critical that […]
Use Your Off-Season to Recover With Rest, New Activities, Strength Training, Yoga
You know you’re ready for the “off-season” when the thought of training makes you want to curl up and nap. Most of my athletes have come to the end of their competitive season. Several are still going to cyclocross nationals, but we’ll shut things down after that. So what should you do during the “off-season”? […]
Be Confident In Your Training Plan With Individualized Coaching AND New AI Program
I’m excited to offer a new service for Simple Endurance Coaching. Artificial Intelligence has been all over the news, and AI is now part of several popular online training programs, including Trainer Road. But you’re on your own when you sign up for Trainer Road, Systm (Sufferfest), or try out a Garmin or Zwift program. […]
Improve Your In-Season Cyclocross Training to Unleash Your Cross Racing Potential
As the leaves start to change and the air becomes crisp, it can only mean one thing: cross racing season is here. In Wisconsin, we’ve had three races, and riders chasing UCI points have already had two weekends on the east coast. So you might be thinking only about race weekends with challenging courses and […]
How to Use High-Intensity Interval Training to Improve Performance as an Everyday Cyclist
If you’re an everyday cyclist looking to boost your performance and leave your competition in the dust, then it’s time to jump into doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT). These are the workouts you love to hate because they suck, but they work. Whether you’re an recreational everyday cyclist or you’re racing, incorporating HIIT into your […]
Gravel Racing Training for Masters Cyclists: How to Train Smarter, Not Harder
Ready to take your gravel racing to the next level for the upcoming fall races? As a master’s cyclist, you know that training smarter, not harder, is the key to success. Gone are the days of endless punishing workouts and pushing yourself to the brink of exhaustion. Instead, it’s time to fine-tune your approach and […]
Goals, Race Schedules, and a Long Season Make Periodization Critical for Cross Racing
One of the biggest challenges in cyclocross racing is finding the right balance between peaking towards the end of the season and maintaining consistent performance throughout the entire series. For example, in Wisconsin, we have 13 races, so you can try to win the series or you can peak for state championships at the end […]
Cycling Adventures: Navigating the Path to Elite Racing While Maintaining Fun and Social Connections
My new coaching client, Jamie Zarda, like many older female cyclists, is stuck in the middle. Jamie, 44, started racing just a few years ago and has made a lot of progress in both mountain biking and cyclocross since then, upgrading to the Cat. 1 on the trails and Cat. 3 in cyclocross. But she […]
If I Want to Ride Fast, Why Do I Have to Do So Much Zone 2 Endurance Training?
If there is one thing I repeat more than anything to my athletes and endurance sports friends, it’s this: slow down! Here’s what I mean: The majority of your training should be at a slow endurance pace where you are able to have a conversation with a friend and be able to breathe through your […]
Three Ways to Ride Faster for Longer to Maximize Your Gravel Racing Performance
In gravel racing, generally the longer you can maintain riding close to your functional threshold power (FTP) , the faster you’ll be over the course. So at a certain point in your training, you stop trying to increase your functional threshold power (FTP) and work to increase the time you can ride near or at […]
