Training

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

On Tuesday this week I had the rare experience of speaking to a group of upper-level managers from Airbus at a resort in Travemünde on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast. Airbus makes commercial airliners … [Read more...] about Airbus Symposium

Some time ago a magazine asked me some questions about recovery for runners for a piece they were writing. Recently an athlete asked similar questions and got me to thinking about this topic once … [Read more...] about Recovery for Runners

It’s been almost three months since I lasted posted anything here. That’s a record for me, and I’ve been pretty good over the years at leaving big, empty gaps from time to time. This gap has been … [Read more...] about Personal Update

I received an interesting question from an athlete today. He asked... Question: "Is there research available on recovery time vs. Intensity Factor (IF)?" Explanation: "IF" is … [Read more...] about Recovery and Intensity Factor

“Polarized training” is a fancy new name for a basic old concept—train either at low or high intensity, but keep the moderate training time between these extremes relatively small. So what are low, … [Read more...] about Hard-Easy Training

This is my last aging post. I started this series back in June as a pre-birthday gift to myself. I wanted to understand what was happening with my performance that seemed to be in decline. There was a … [Read more...] about Aging: The Last Post

So far I’ve covered all of the common periods in the season and how they might be tweaked to match the unique needs of the senior athlete – Prep, Base, Build, Peak and Race. That brings us to … [Read more...] about Aging: The Veteran’s Transition Period

We’ve now got the Prep, Base, Build and Peak periods behind us. We’re almost there: The race is just a week away. Actually, there isn’t much to change in this period from what’s described … [Read more...] about Aging: Customizing the Race Period

The Peak period follows Build 2b and is one of the shortest of the season. Now you’re down to just a couple of weeks until race day. Gaining fitness is out of the question. There isn’t enough time to … [Read more...] about Aging: Customizing the Peak Period

In my last three posts (here,  here, and here) I offered suggestions for how a senior athlete may customize the training routine in the Prep and Base periods to allow for more frequent and … [Read more...] about Aging: Customizing the Build Period

I’m back home after a two-month stay in beautiful Tuscany. As much as I enjoyed the riding there, it’s a great relief to back where the two-way roads are wider than one car. Taking the many blind … [Read more...] about Aging: Other Base Period Training and Microcycles

I’ve been writing about aging here since June. This rather long series started when I realized this past spring that in December I’d age up to 70. There’s an old saying that it takes 10 years to get … [Read more...] about Aging: Customizing the Base Period

In recent posts I’ve been describing how you can alter periodization to allow for better recovery and higher quality training at the same time by altering the length and design of your microcycles and … [Read more...] about Aging: Customizing the Prep Period

In the last few aging posts I’ve been walking you through how you can customize your periodization to more closely match your age by focusing on the recovery side of the training equation. I hope you … [Read more...] about Aging: Flexible Periodization