How to Choose a Training Plan That’s Right for You I’m frequently asked by athletes which of my plans they should select. It’s really hard for me to suggest a training plan based on just a bit of … [Read more...] about Find your next training plan using my new site
Joe Friel’s Blog
Why Run-Ride Weekends?
I’m often asked why I have triathletes do their long runs on Saturdays and their long rides on Sundays. That’s a good question because the way it’s usually done is just the reverse—with a long bike … [Read more...] about Why Run-Ride Weekends?
Aging and VO2max
Drop in VO2max Over the Years My first VO2max test was in 1982. I went to an exercise physiology lab at the university in my hometown, and a friend who worked there did the testing. I ran on a … [Read more...] about Aging and VO2max
Thoughts on Good Coaching
How Coaching Has Changed I first started coaching high school athletes after graduating from college in 1966. Then in 1980 I started working with adult athletes, mostly in running, road cycling, … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Good Coaching
The Running Economy of an Aging Multisport Pro
A Return to Competition I recently received an email from an old friend – Mat Brick, a former multisport pro athlete who is now a sports orthopedic surgeon in New Zealand. In his days as a pro, back … [Read more...] about The Running Economy of an Aging Multisport Pro
My 5-2 Training Routine
Learning from History: Emil Zátopek and Roger Bannister’s Intervals I recently read Today We Die a Little, a biography of Emil Zátopek by Richard Askwith. Zátopek was arguably the best runner in the … [Read more...] about My 5-2 Training Routine
Dryland Training
What to do when the pools are closed? Recently I've been telling triathletes who live where pools are still closed due to Covid to do some strength-endurance training at home with an elastic stretch … [Read more...] about Dryland Training
Why Ride Inside?
This blog post is excerpted from Ride Inside: The Essential Guide to Get the Most Out of Indoor Cycling, Smart Trainers, Classes, and Apps by Joe Friel and Jim Rutberg, with permission of … [Read more...] about Why Ride Inside?
Thoughts on Training During the Pandemic
For the past few months I’ve been talking with cycling and triathlon clubs in the US and UK via Zoom about training during the pandemic. With what appears to be another surge starting, I’ve tried to … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Training During the Pandemic
Muscle Fiber Type and Training
This week Alex Hutchinson tweeted a link to an article he had written for Outside magazine which featured a study that examined the effect of athletes’ muscle fiber types on their proclivity to … [Read more...] about Muscle Fiber Type and Training
A Personal History of Indoor Riding
What a weird year it’s been. Who would ever thought just 10 months ago that we’d be doing so much indoor training – and even indoor racing – in 2020. Apps such as Zwift, Trainer Road, Sufferfest, Road … [Read more...] about A Personal History of Indoor Riding
New Ride Inside Book
Jim Rutberg and I just finished writing a book called Ride Inside. I’m sure that from the title you can guess what it’s about. But just in case, I’ll tell you – it’s about indoor training for cycling. … [Read more...] about New Ride Inside Book
For Coaches: Do You Coach Just Anyone?
In the first 15 years of my coaching career I fired two clients. It’s not that they were “uncoachable,” as we coaches sometimes classify athletes who don’t seem to respond to our philosophies and … [Read more...] about For Coaches: Do You Coach Just Anyone?
My Pandemic Clinics
Three weeks ago I felt a bit guilty. That was at the height of the lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. While I was living through it along with the rest of the world I was mostly unaffected. In … [Read more...] about My Pandemic Clinics
Muscular Force Training for Cycling
In The Cyclist's Training Bible (5th edition) an entire chapter is devoted to building muscular force -- strength. This is part of what produces power when turning the pedals. The other part is the … [Read more...] about Muscular Force Training for Cycling
Muscular Force Training for Triathlon
In The Triathlete's Training Bible (4th edition) an entire chapter is devoted to building muscular force. This is part of what produces power when swimming, biking, and running. The other part is the … [Read more...] about Muscular Force Training for Triathlon
Suggestions for the Aging Athlete
Who is an “aging athlete?” For simplicity’s sake let’s assume that’s anyone over the age of 50. While I’ve known many half-century athletes who are still successfully competing with 30-somethings, by … [Read more...] about Suggestions for the Aging Athlete
Indoor and Outdoor Power Agreement
Here's one of the reasons I like using Assioma Duo power pedals: They are quick and easy to move between indoor and outdoor bikes with the changing spring weather. Yesterday was nasty. Rode inside. … [Read more...] about Indoor and Outdoor Power Agreement
A Quick Guide to Setting Zones
This Quick Guide will help you get the intensity of your workouts dialed in for your heart rate monitor, power meter, and runner’s speed and distance device such as a GPS or accelerometer. Swimming … [Read more...] about A Quick Guide to Setting Zones
RIDE INSIDE WORKOUTS
With many cyclists and triathletes forced to ride inside now I thought it might be helpful to post a few workouts from my upcoming book – Ride Inside. All of the following workouts are designed for … [Read more...] about RIDE INSIDE WORKOUTS
Who Are You, Coach?
There’s lots of coaching competition out there. It’s only going to increase. You have to stand for something unique as a coach to stand out in the crowd. What sets you apart from other coaches? What … [Read more...] about Who Are You, Coach?
Coronavirus Race Delay Problems
I’ve gotten a few emails this week from athletes whose A-priority race was re-scheduled for later in the spring or summer. One of them didn’t even know when the race would be held. All had the same … [Read more...] about Coronavirus Race Delay Problems
Couzens’ 50-40-30-20-10 Rule
I spoke at a camp in Saudi Arabia a couple of weeks ago and a triathlete asked me what he should do on downhill portions of a bike course. Should he pedal hard, pedal easy, or coast? That was a great … [Read more...] about Couzens’ 50-40-30-20-10 Rule
Hills: Sit or Stand?
I am often asked about standing vs sitting on hill climbs on the bike. This is an article from some time back that addresses this matter. Realize there are different answers, to some extent, if you … [Read more...] about Hills: Sit or Stand?