This is something I wrote a while back, but recent questions I've received tell me it's time to reprint it. ________________________ High performance runners are typically very efficient. You … [Read more...] about The Efficiency Factor in Running
Joe Friel’s Blog
Mallorca Triathlon Camp
Coach Clinic
Chile Coaches Clinic
Arizona Triathlon Camp
Saudi Arabia Triathlon Camp
On February 13–15, 2020, Joe presented a triathlon camp for athletes in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Organized and led by Meshary Al-Ayed, the camp attracted triathletes from throughout the region, averaging … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia Triathlon Camp
Training and Faith
“Training is principally an act of faith.” That is from Franz Stampfl who, I suspect, you have never heard of although he was Roger Bannister’s coach. Though Stampfl had a very interesting life, this … [Read more...] about Training and Faith
Measuring Workouts
If you own a power meter should all of your workouts be based on power? How about if you only have a heart rate monitor? Heart rate only? I had someone who bought a training plan of mine recently … [Read more...] about Measuring Workouts
My New Power Meter
In my last post I explained how I first heard of cycling power meters and how I came to use one. That first one was very basic. It just told me instantaneous power and average power. It was heavy. The … [Read more...] about My New Power Meter
Favero Assioma
I recently started using the Assioma DUO power meter pedals. After 25 years of using many power meters and watching the technology improve, I have found these to be the best I’ve ever used. … [Read more...] about Favero Assioma
A Personal History of the Cycling Power Meter
The first time I ever heard of a bicycle power meter was in the fall of 1993. There was a magazine article (by Samuel Abt in Velonews, I believe) about Greg LeMond having recently hired a Dutch … [Read more...] about A Personal History of the Cycling Power Meter
Question: How Should I Train?
The most common question I get on social media and in emails is something along the line of, “How should I train?” That’s certainly a valid question. And I appreciate the writer’s confidence in me to … [Read more...] about Question: How Should I Train?
More on Cleat Position
The first blog I ever posted was January 30, 2007. The topic of that post was cleat position for cycling shoes. A few months prior to writing that I had started placing my cleats in the arch area of … [Read more...] about More on Cleat Position
Lamson Cycle Shoes
Don Lamson is a master at making custom shoes for road cyclists and mountain bikers. He’s been making shoes for cyclists since 1989, and mine since 2007. There are many reasons a rider may want custom … [Read more...] about Lamson Cycle Shoes
Riding Indoors and Pedaling Skills, Part 2
In Part 1 I explained why your power output is likely to be lower when riding an indoor trainer as compared with riding on the road. And I also touched on the how this is related to the skills of … [Read more...] about Riding Indoors and Pedaling Skills, Part 2
Riding Indoors and Pedaling Skills, Part 1
There are a few things that change when you ride indoors on a trainer as compared with on the road. A common one is heat. Since you’re not moving forward when on a trainer body heat tends to … [Read more...] about Riding Indoors and Pedaling Skills, Part 1
Duration and Intensity in Training
The most basic component of training is the balance between workout duration and workout intensity. Whether you are an Olympian or a novice "how long" and "how hard" are the only two variables that … [Read more...] about Duration and Intensity in Training
Problems With Determining FTP
A while back I received an email from a triathlete who explained that he got different FTP results if he did a 20-minute test on his Watt Bike indoor trainer versus doing a 40km time trial on a tri … [Read more...] about Problems With Determining FTP
More on Overtraining
Yesterday I received an email from a female pro cyclocross racer who shall remain anonymous. She described what certainly sounds like overtraining. It’s hard to be certain, as I’ve written about here … [Read more...] about More on Overtraining
The Triathlete as Fast Marathoner
The following is an article I wrote for a magazine sometime back. Here I lay out how to prepare to run a fast marathon. Of course, “fast” is only relative to your ability, goal, experience, training, … [Read more...] about The Triathlete as Fast Marathoner
The “All New” Cyclist’s Training Bible
I recently finished writing a "somewhat" new book — The “All New” Cyclist’s Training Bible. The original version was published more than 20 years ago. It had been edited three times over the years. … [Read more...] about The “All New” Cyclist’s Training Bible
Sleep, Part 2
I apologize for the long gaps between posts to my blog. Even though I am now retired from one-on-one coaching it seems there’s still never any time for writing here. But one thing I seldom pass up in … [Read more...] about Sleep, Part 2
Sleep, Part 1
I’m now retired from hands-on coaching. It was challenging work for thirty-plus years, mostly because there was never a break. All of the athletes needed unwavering attention whether I was on vacation … [Read more...] about Sleep, Part 1
Sunglasses
Several years ago I was provided training products by a company that eventually let down one of my coaching clients. It reflected badly on me as I had suggested the athlete use their product. When it … [Read more...] about Sunglasses