Joe Friel’s Blog

The following post appeared in the TrainingPeaks blog a couple of weeks ago. But since a lot of athletes don’t get that or may have missed it I’m reporting it here. If you don’t use TrainingPeaks or … [Read more...] about Part 1: Chronic Training Load—So What?

For some unknown reason I’ve recently received the same basic question three times in emails this week. The question has to do with using a heart rate monitor to gauge intensity. The email senders … [Read more...] about Question on Heart Rate

This piece also appeared last week in the TrainingPeaks newsletter. But since not everyone sees that I’m posting it again here. ---------------------------------------- If you use the Performance … [Read more...] about The CTL Ramp Rate

Today I received an email from a rower who had read my book, Fast After 50. In it I comment on the high-fat diet as one alternative to eating for high performance. I also mentioned it in this … [Read more...] about High-Fat Diet Questions

I originally posted on this topic back in 2010 (here). But I’ve seen a need to revise it  given some of the questions I’ve gotten from athletes who eat a high-fat diet. Along the course of … [Read more...] about How To Recover (Follow-Up)

I read a tweet a few days ago from @BenDrury1 that read: Wouldn’t it be great if we changed the terminology of ‘Recovery Strategies’ to ‘Adaptation Strategies’. Goal is to improve not maintain. He’s … [Read more...] about Supercompensation

I’m quite picky when it comes to working closely with companies in the sports industry. I learned to be that way several years ago when a business I supported performed so poorly that it reflected … [Read more...] about ADS Prescription Sports Sunglasses

I received a question from a coach this week which is common. The coach's athlete did a half-Ironman triathlon on a windy day and wasn't able to maintain his planned power and so slowed … [Read more...] about Train for Duration or Distance?

By now you may be aware of my latest book—Fast After 50—being in print. In February it will also be ready to go as an ebook. This project started out as a birthday present to myself. I was approaching … [Read more...] about What It Takes to be Fast After 50

Should the primary focus of your training be on volume or intensity? We get some help answering that question from a study by Gaskill and associates done in 1999. It’s now getting somewhat old, … [Read more...] about What’s Better for You: High Volume or High Intensity Training?

A triathlete asked me today what the best order of workouts is for swimming, biking and running if one does two or three in a day. Here's my answer... If all 3 workouts are of similar importance … [Read more...] about Order of Triathlon Workouts

Well, it’s December and time for the annual debate about whether endurance athletes (especially runners and cyclists) should do strength training, usually referred to as “lifting weights.” I’ve … [Read more...] about Should You Lift Weights?

I'm occasionally asked if I still use midsole cleats when I ride instead of the traditional forefoot position. The answer is "yes." I've been doing this since 2006, and it was the topic of one of my … [Read more...] about Midsole Cleats and Pedals

High performance runners are typically very efficient. One can observe this just by watching them run: there is no apparent wasted energy. They look very graceful. Their efficiency can actually be … [Read more...] about The Efficiency Factor in Running

In December last year I posted here a review of some of the research about a way of training that scientists call “polarized.” That’s just a catchy way of saying do workouts with an intensity … [Read more...] about Polarized Training Update

Almost four months. I believe that's the longest time I've ever gone without posting to my blog in more than six years. Several readers have emailed asking if everything is ok. I really … [Read more...] about Rest and Recovery

I've finally got the manuscript written for the book on aging athletes I've mentioned here several times. The working title is "Fast After 50," and it will probably be ready by the … [Read more...] about High-Intensity Interval Duration

I just got a new pair of Oakley prescription sunglasses from my sponsor, ADS Sports Eyewear in Richardson, Texas. I used to think that I only needed one pair of sunglasses and they would take care of … [Read more...] about Update on Prescription Sunglasses

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) produces a series of eight races around the world with separate elite and age group competitions. The London event is the weekend after next in Hyde Park. The … [Read more...] about London World Triathlon Series Stats

A UK-based magazine - Cycling Plus - recently asked me some questions for a piece they are working on regarding getting started with power-based training. I thought they were good ones, especially for … [Read more...] about Basic Questions About Power Meters