Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast - Presented by TrainerRoad

THE GRAY ZONE MYTH: MISTAKE OR ADVANTAGE FOR CYCLISTS? | Hannah Otto | Ask a Cycling Coach 553

Oct 2, 2025
Guest
Hannah Otto
Hannah Otto, a professional mountain biker and coach, joins the discussion to unveil the nuances of sweet spot and tempo training. She explains why lengthy pre-race rides can misfire, fostering too much confidence and hampering performance. Hannah emphasizes the importance of periodizing sweet spot work for optimal results and advocates for a balanced approach with recovery and nutrition. Listeners will also learn how pros utilize these training methods effectively and gain insights into improving FTP through strategic block training.
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ADVICE

Skip The 'Touch The Fire' Pre-Ride

  • Avoid doing very long pre-race rides that leave you overcooked and unable to hit subsequent workouts.
  • Save the full-duration confidence-building effort for race day and trust your training instead.
ANECDOTE

Worlds Travel Chaos Amplified Fatigue

  • Hannah described the long travel stress after a seven-hour race including lost bikes and delayed flights.
  • She used that story to explain how travel amplifies hormonal stress and impairs recovery before the next race.
ADVICE

Debrief Quickly And Keep Perspective

  • After a disappointing race, identify the 'why', make adjustments if needed, then move on without overreacting.
  • Maintain career perspective: one bad result is a small blip across a long season or career.
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