

FasCat Cycling Training Tips Podcast
FasCat Cycling Training Tips Podcast
The official podcast of FasCat Coaching, based in Boulder, CO. Coach Frank "Big Cat" Overton shares his extensive experience as a cycling coach to help you ride faster through training and racing tips, nutrition, and beyond.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 20, 2022 • 15min
Upcoming Podcasts: Being Coachable, Tapering, and Resuming Training Post Epic Event
Check out www.fascatcoaching.com and use code 25PODCAST for 25% off. In this episode of the FasCat Coaching Podcast, Coach Frank introduces 3 upcoming podcast topics and touches on what FasCat is up to – May is a busy month and there's a lot going on! Coach Frank introduces the topics of what it means to be "Coachable" and makes you think about whether or not you are coachable when it comes to training. He also dives into how to properly taper for an event, how much training should you do beforehand, and how much recovery your body needs. Lastly, Coach Frank chats about how to know when you are ready to train again after an epic event. Links mentioned: New Athlete Handbook Tapering in Cycling For Peak Performance How to Leave Post Activity Comments for your Coach and Be "Coachable Check out www.fascatcoaching.com and use code 25PODCAST for 25% off.

May 13, 2022 • 34min
Step-By-Step Guide to Anaerobic Intervals + Why Everyone Needs to Do Them
Check out www.fascatcoaching.com and use code 25PODCAST for 25% off. Should you be performing anaerobic intervals? If you're unsure, you should know that anaerobic intervals are essential for criteriums, cyclocross, road racing , track, your local group ride and mountain biking - even for fondo's and gravel events in small amounts. With that being said, you should probably be doing anaerobic intervals and that's why in this episode of FasCat Coaching, Coach Frank gives you the a complete step-ny-step guide on how to incorporate and execute anaerobic intervals into your weekly training routine. He explains the how, what, why where, when and how hard. The term anaerobic comes from the physiological fact that the energy required is so rapid that oxygen is not used to make the power unlike a longer vo2 or threshold interval that is more aerobic. They are less than one minute, as hard as you can go intervals. We prescribe them in 30 to 60 second interval lengths at intensities 120 - 150% of your threshold power - and/or as hard as you can all for all of them much like the way we prescribe VO2 intervals. Be sure to listen to the end because Coach Frank also gives you some basic, intermediate and advanced level anaerobic interval workouts, pacing recommendations and what to look at in the power analysis. What's discussed: 5:00 - What is considered anaerobic? 7:00 - Examples of Zone 6 Anaerobic intervals 10:00 - Step-by-step guide for how to perform Anaerobic intervals 15:00 - Best practices for optimal intervals 19:00 - Things to avoid when performing your intervals 22:00 - Interval pacing 28:00 - Who needs to be doing anaerobic work? Check out www.fascatcoaching.com and use code 25PODCAST for 25% off.

May 6, 2022 • 1h 40min
Alexey Vermeulen: Recap of Winning the 2022 Belgian Waffle Ride
We have a special podcast guest this week: The Belgian waffle ride winner, Alexey Vermeulen. Alexey went full on beast mode this past Sunday, riding away from his comrades with an incredible display of wattage and courage. In this episode, we not only get a full recap of Alexey's experience of winning BWR, but also background on where he came from, his racing pedigree, and what his big plans are for the rest of the season and the future. Plus, we also diving into Alexey winning Junior National Road Race in 2011, getting called up to the big leagues with Lotto Jumbo and his new Jukebox cycling team with our good friend and FasCat Athlete, Phil Gaimon. Lastly, we have two huge announcements to share in this episode... 1. Our Mother's Day sale is LIVE. Use MD50 for 50% off any and all of our five star rated training plans. Head over to www.fascatcoaching.com to redeem. 2. FasCat is hiring full stack software engineers! If you want to work on new sports science to make training fun, simple, most importantly effective, hit up Coach Frank! But don't delay. We're moving fast and we're paying competitive salaries. Email frank@fastcatcoaching.com.

Apr 29, 2022 • 40min
How to Measure Your FTP without Performing FTP Tests
Do you have fun performing FTP tests? We know the answer is a hard no. We don't always have to perform an FTP field test in order to measure our performance. Often times the BEST data is in yuor hard group rides or races. That's why in this episode, we give you alternatives for FTP tests that will give you similar data. Coach Frank explains... How you can get your FTP data through group rides and races. How to use deductive reasoning to estimate your FTP. What to look at in your power data to see improvements and evidence that your power output has increased. Essentially, he shows you how to look at your data correctly to see how you progressing. If you learn how to do this, you may spare yourself a field test or two

Apr 22, 2022 • 30min
How to Have More Fun While Training + The Benefits of Unstructured Training
Check out www.fascatcoaching.com and use code 25PODCAST for 25% off. Feeling burnt out on the bike or feeling like you're training takes the fun out of riding? But the question is, how do you ride faster and longer, and see better success, while still having fun? We know some of you believe doing structured intervals 5 days a week inside is the only way to see results. We know others of you think following structure, structure, structure is the only way. If you force yourself to do this, it's not sustainable, because not having fun equals not seeing optimal results. In this episode of the FasCat podcast, Coach Frank gives you endless tips on how to have more fun while training without compromising results, and in fact, see BETTER results. Here's a sneak peek into a few of the tips shared... Join group rides. Don't worry about pushing it hard. Socialize. Ride with people who are slower than you. Switch up the bikes you ride. Get outside. Find a training partner and enjoy a coffee stop afterward. Remember why you started riding in the first place and do that kind of ride once a week. Embrace unstructured training. Add variety to your intervals. Explore new routes Ready to have more fun while training? Work with one of our FasCat coaches! Check out www.fascatcoaching.com and use code 25PODCAST for 25% off.

9 snips
Apr 15, 2022 • 1h
Phil Skiba: Optimized Training Stress and Scientific Training for Endurance Athletes
Dr. Philip Skiba, a medical doctor and PhD in exercise physiology, shares insights from over 20 years coaching elite athletes. He discusses the innovative Optimized Training Stress metric, incorporating power data, sleep, and heart rate variability. Delving into training methodologies, he highlights the balance between fatigue and carbohydrate intake. Skiba also explains the concept of W' balance in endurance training, emphasizing the importance of personalized strategies for performance enhancement and energy management in athletes.

Apr 7, 2022 • 57min
Dr. Lauren Costantini, PHD: Nutrition Mistakes, Hacks, Strategies, and Recipes for Optimizing Your Success
Today we are talking about Winning in the Kitchen! Performance nutrition and weight loss are all about your food choices and that's what we call winning in the kitchen. 80% of weight loss and optimal race weight is achieved from proper nutrition while only 20% from riding more. Whether you believe it or not, it's true! That's why in this episode of the FasCat Coaching podcast, Dr. Lauren and Coach Frank dive into the ins and outs of winning in the kitchen. After listening, you may be surprised by the nutrition mistakes you're making! What's discussed: Your Go Faster Food Choices Winning in the Kitchen Grocery List The negative effect of alcohol How to properly nourish after a ride The negative effects of processed carbs Common and "healthy" foods to avoid Nutrition hacks for optimizing health and fitness Tips for preparing quick meals Best snacks for fueling optimally 9 Winning in the Kitchen recipes that take 10 minutes or less to prepare Win in the kitchen and start taking control of your nutrition with Coach Lauren: https://fascatcoaching.com/collections/meal-plans/products/nutrition-consult-with-dr-lauren Don't forget: You can save 25% on your next training plan with code 25podcast. https://fascatcoaching.com/collections/training-plans

Mar 31, 2022 • 29min
Strategies for Riding More to Increase Power Output
Spring is here, and the weather is no longer an excuse to not ride longer and more. But, we get it, just because the weather is better, doesn't mean riding more is necessarily easier. That's why in the podcast episode, Coach Frank is here to make riding more each week a lot more simple with some simple training tactics. Coach Frank dives into why you need to ride more, FasCat's top strategies and coaching tips for riding more, a 16-week training guide progression to help your ride more, and three long rides we love to subscribe at FasCat. With these tips, you will double your ride time this summer! Are you ready?! What Coach Frank discusses: 4:00 - Overview of increasing time in the saddle 11:00 - Strategy 13:00 - 3 Different long rides 19:00 - Riding longer tips Get your FasCat on-bike training and nutrition plan now! Head over to fascatcoaching.com.

Mar 21, 2022 • 27min
Part 3: How to Prepare Mentally and Physically for Stage Racing
Welcome to Part 3 of our three-part series on stage racing! This mini-series is brought to you by coach Isaiah from the Tuscon Bicycle Classic Stage Race where Coach Ricky and Coach Zach were both racing for Project Echelon. The Tuscon Bicycle Classic is a large stage race and has always been a big staple for pro riders as an early-season race. Coach Isaiah interviews the two on their mental and physical preparation – giving you an inside look into how pro bike racers prepare for each stage in a stage race. They also chat through what the next stage is and what some of their race tactics are, how the previous stage went in general, and what goes on behind the scenes at a pro stage race. Be sure to check out Part 1 and 2 first!

Mar 19, 2022 • 33min
Part 2: How to Prepare Mentally and Physically for Stage Racing
Welcome to Part 2 of our three-part series on stage racing! This mini-series is brought to you by coach Isaiah from the Tuscon Bicycle Classic Stage Race where Coach Ricky and Coach Zach were both racing for Project Echelon. The Tuscon Bicycle Classic is a large stage race and has always been a big staple for pro riders as an early-season race. Coach Isaiah interviews the two on their mental and physical preparation – giving you an inside look into how pro bike racers prepare for each stage in a stage race. They also chat through what the next stage is and what some of their race tactics are, how the previous stage went in general, and what goes on behind the scenes at a pro stage race. Stay tuned for Part 3!


