Episode 211: Optimizing Recovery After Big Goal Events

OVERVIEWOverview: 'Cross is coming! Coach Adam Pulford talks with Chris Merriam, Team Manager of CXD Trek Bikes, about all things cyclocross, from mistakes 'crossers make to equipment recommendations, key workouts, and race day strategies.TOPICS COVEREDCommon pre-season training mistakes Skill and technique mistakes in trainingWhat to look for in a cyclocross training groupWork/life balance with cyclocross racingMistakes in equipment selectionRace day strategiesCyclocross-specific interval trainingASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLINKSSocial media:CXD IG: https://www.instagram.com/cxdtrekbikes/CXHairs IG = https://www.instagram.com/cxhairs/Resources:CXHairs Bulletin on Substack: https://cxhairs.substack.com/DCCX: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057314694024 HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWOverview: The sports science debate between training methodologies seems to pit Polarized training (e.g., hard days hard, easy days easy) against Tempo/Sweetspot training (e.g., high aerobic training, often derided as "the middle ground"). For real athletes, all intensities matter and how you use them depends on your available time and your goals. Here's how to figure it out.TOPICS COVEREDPolarized vs. SweetSpot definitionsSweetSpot pros and consPolarized training pros and consPractical recommendations for Time-Crunched CyclistsASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLINKSComplete Guide to Polarized TrainingSweet Spot Training In The Winter/Base Phase: Yes Or No? Zone 2, Sweetspot, and Polarized Training HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWOverview: Big goal events take a lot of you, both physically and mentally. A couple days off won't cut it. Here's how to structure an effective post-goal event recovery.TOPICS COVEREDHow to start post-event recoveryWeek 2 of post-event recoveryWeek 3 of post-event recoveryHow you know you're ready againQuestion 2: Key Metrics to Track for Training?3 broad areas to focus onSpecific metrics to trackASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWOverview: After a long period of developing base aerobic fitness, how and when should Time-Crunched Cyclists add intensity for greater speed and power? TOPICS COVERED IntroIntensifying training to add speed and powerKey workouts for aerobic glycolysisProgression of workouts for improving aerobic glycolysisASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWTime-Crunched Cyclist programs are typically 6-8 hours of training per week, but a listener asks. "What if I have only 4 hours per week?" TOPICS COVEREDQuick Answers to Listener QuestionsBenefits of short sessions of Zone 2 trainingBlock training for Super Time-Crunched CyclistsThreshold workout exampleTraining plans with 2-3 workouts per weekAnnual periodization plan for Super Time-Crunched CyclistsASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

IN THIS EPISODECarbohydrates and durabilityWhat are Critical Power and W PrimeResearch review: Critical Power at rested vs. fatigued state with CHOFueling for increased durabilityFueling by percentage of hourly expenditureNutrition timing and periodizationLINKShttps://knowledgeiswatt.substack.com/https://www.instagram.com/knowledgeiswatt/https://x.com/knowledgeiswattASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTGUESTGabriele Gallo earned his PhD in sports science and also recognized that scientific literature - including his own research - is complicated for non-scientists to read and comprehend. As a result, he created the Knowledge Is Watt Substack and Instagram account. He has dedicated himself to translating scientific papers into more easily digestible content to be read, understood and easily applied by all athletes and coaches.HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

IN THIS EPISODEDurability and Fatigue Resistance Testing ProtocolsDoes everyone benefit from durability training?Independence of VO2 and durabilityTraining development for shorter distance athleteDurability for long gravel, road, and MTB racersEmerging research on training strategies LINKShttps://knowledgeiswatt.substack.com/https://www.instagram.com/knowledgeiswatt/https://x.com/knowledgeiswattASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTGUESTGabriele Gallo earned his PhD in sports science and also recognized that scientific literature - including his own research - is complicated for non-scientists to read and comprehend. As a result, he created the Knowledge Is Watt Substack and Instagram account. He has dedicated himself to translating scientific papers into more easily digestible content to be read, understood and easily applied by all athletes and coaches.HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

IN THIS EPISODEPeak Fat Oxidation and FatMaxFax oxidation effect on fatigue resistanceEffects of sex and fitness on peak fat oxidationTraining with low and high carbohydrate availabilityOptimizing fat oxidation for Time-Crunched CyclistsZone 2 training benefits beyond fat oxidationLINKShttps://knowledgeiswatt.substack.com/https://www.instagram.com/knowledgeiswatt/https://x.com/knowledgeiswattASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTGUESTGabriele Gallo earned his PhD in sports science and also recognized that scientific literature - including his own research - is complicated for non-scientists to read and comprehend. As a result, he created the Knowledge Is Watt Substack and Instagram account. He has dedicated himself to translating scientific papers into more easily digestible content to be read, understood and easily applied by all athletes and coaches. HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

In Part 2 of our conversation with legendary coach Joe Friel, Adam and Joe discuss four key topics around training for older athletes: Consistency, Intensity, Motivation, and Habits. IN THIS EPISODE 4 Takeaways for Older AthletesThe Value of ConsistencyThe only 3 things an athlete can focus onIntensity - balancing hard days and easy days"Recovery on Demand" Motivation changes for older athletesMaintaining good habits with ageLINKSSuggestions for the Aging Athlete - Joe FrielMotivation: Thoughts on Training #5: Motivation - Joe FrielConsistency: Thoughts on Training #3: Consistency Is Key - Joe Friel FastTalk, Joe’s New Training Bible Joe Friel’s Website and Books ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTGUESTFor endurance athletes and coaches, Joe Friel needs no introduction. A legend in the endurance coaching profession, Joe is the author of some of the most successful books on endurance training, including "The Cyclist's Training Bible", "The Triathlete's Training Bible", and "Fast After 50". He was a founder of Peaksware, creator of TrainingPeaks software. As a coach, his clients have included elite amateur and professional road cyclists, mountain bikers, and triathletes and duathletes.HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Unlock the secrets to maintaining peak performance at any age with our special guest, Joe Friel, the mastermind behind "The Cyclist's Training Bible" and "Fast After 50." Joe delves into the crucial role of anabolic hormones and their impact on athletic performance. Discover how a long-term dedication to training can help maintain higher hormone levels and slow the decline in VO2 max as we age. We also discuss the invaluable wisdom and strategies that experienced athletes employ to compensate for physiological changes, emphasizing the importance of exercise, sleep, and diet in maintaining peak fitness. Tune in for a treasure trove of tips to train hard, train smart, and achieve your athletic goals, no matter how old you are.IN THIS EPISODEHealthspan vs. LifespanHormonal changes affecting aging athletesAge-related physical declinesImportance of weight lifting and varied activitiesEmotional responses to aging as an athleteDo older athletes respond to training?LINKSSuggestions for the Aging Athlete - Joe FrielMotivation: Thoughts on Training #5: Motivation - Joe FrielConsistency: Thoughts on Training #3: Consistency Is Key - Joe Friel FastTalk, Joe’s New Training Bible Joe Friel’s Website and Books ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTGUESTFor endurance athletes and coaches, Joe Friel needs no introduction. A legend in the endurance coaching profession, Joe is the author of some of the most successful books on endurance training, including "The Cyclist's Training Bible", "The Triathlete's Training Bible", and "Fast After 50". He was a founder of Peaksware, creator of TrainingPeaks software. As a coach, his clients have included elite amateur and professional road cyclists, mountain bikers, and triathletes and duathletes. HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete