This post is part of a series I’ve been working on this winter. Writing this is part of my personal training strategy but I hope you find it helpful too!

The weather’s getting nice. Your summer goals are in sight. Maybe you’ve been getting fit this winter — maybe you haven’t. It’s time to get serious and build into the spring.

Long Slow Base? Sweet Spot Training? High Intensity Interval Training?

I mean, sure. But let’s understand what you need functionally. If you haven’t read it, this would be a good time to review my article on “what works”.

Regardless…

In my last “Edge of the Envelope” post, I discussed the parameter that governs performance models — Threshold. In my post on training plans, I allude to performance models as a tool for weekly planning. “Use a Performance Model” was number three on the list in my “what works” post after ride your bike and get a coach. In this post, I explore the question what is a performance model and how can we use it in planning and tracking our training?

While this post is primarily targeted at cyclists, the same concepts hold for runners.

A performance model attempts…

As soon as you start reading about training, you can’t get away from this notion of “threshold”. There are a number of physiological and performance-oriented definitions of it. Some people would have you believe that the nuances matter. Unless you are a researcher, they kind of don’t. In this post, I dig into this idea of a threshold — what it is, why it matters, and how you can use it.

“the point at which a physiological or psychological effect begins to be produced” — Merriam-Webster

I like this definition because it helps make the point that a threshold might…

Start searching the internet for ideas of what will make you fast and you are in for a bewildering mish-mash of overly-specific ideas that will do little to help you focus on getting fast. In this post, I break down some basics to think about and discuss some guidelines to help make your training affective.

This is the second in a series I’ll be writing this winter. See the first, on training plans here.

Just ride your bike

There, post done. That’s what works. Or just run the miles if that’s your jam. If you don’t do the time, you’ve…

Strategies for long term training plans for Endurance Sport

This is the first in what will be a series I am writing while planning and executing my 2020 training year. Let me know what you think or if you have questions down in the comments!

It’s November. Events for next year are being announced. Your friends are saying let’s do this… let’s do that. How do you chart a successful path from now till then?

You look back and think about what went well and what didn’t. You start to think about setting goals for next year. How do you keep this year’s strength while improving on your weaknesses?

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