Throughout the Time-Crunched Cyclist books, I have argued against traditional base training because it is incompatible with the busy lifestyles of so many athletes. Traditional low-intensity base training works, but very few full-time working parents can increase training time to 12-20 hours/week for 2-3 months. A well-structured program of short, high-intensity intervals works, too, …
It’s remarkable how quickly 12 months fly by, but here we are at the end of 2017. I am a firm believer in the benefits of self-reflection, and the end of the year provides a great place to pause and look back on your accomplishments from the past year, the moments that were fulfilling, the …
The best way to get a great start for 2019 is to set goals that inspire you (and scare you a bit). To help you do that, here are some of the steps I take athletes through when working with them on their goals. Name a Dream Goal you’re passionate about Dream goals define the …
I want to finish 2017 on a high note, and to do that I need some extra motivation. So I’m issuing a challenge for myself and for you: Complete 15 hours of training from Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Challenge Rules We’re going to keep this really simple: there are no rules. Any …
Whenever you suggest weight training to a cyclist, runner, or triathlete, one of the athlete’s first concerns is whether putting on additional muscle mass will hurt their sport-specific performance. Will more muscle make you slower by increasing you total bodyweight, or make you faster by increasing your strength and resilience? There are a few ways …
For time-crunched athletes who have limited time to train, going to a gym just doesn’t fit into the schedule. Similarly, many endurance athletes don’t really want to purchase and gather all the necessary equipment to perform strength training exercises at home. As I’ve explained in previous posts, however, strength training is an important component …
December is Feats of Strength Month at CTS! Each December, my coaches, employees, and I have a friendly competition around a particular strength training exercise. This year we’re having a plank contest, and we want you to participate as well! The rules are simple: accumulate as much time in the plank position as you …
The five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s can result in a significant setback for your fitness, but with a little focus and determination you can avoid these four Holiday Season mistakes. TOO MUCH ALCOHOL Alcohol plays a role in a lot of holiday get-togethers, and even if you don’t drink much during …
Last weekend was the first CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo, and like any endeavor that takes you outside your comfort zone, I learned a lot about being an event promoter. The feedback I’ve received about the event has been overwhelmingly positive, and I am immeasurably proud of my coaches and staff, especially Event Director …
Darkness is coming! Saturday night we turn the clocks back an hour, gain an hour of sleep, and lose an hour of sunlight at the end of each day. For early-morning exercisers, the return to standard time is a welcome change. For those who rely on afternoon or after-work for training, earlier sunsets make …