

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

Nov 24, 2023 • 1h 1min
Sweet Spot Series 1 of 8: What the heck is Sweet Spot?!
This podcast explores Sweet Spot training in cycling, its definition and origins, and its role in improving power, endurance, and durability. They discuss the importance of individualization in sweet spot training, when to use it, and when to avoid it. The chapter also touches on optimized training stress rides and the benefits of sweet spot training for older athletes. Overall, the podcast provides valuable insights into the effectiveness and advantages of incorporating Sweet Spot training into your cycling regimen.

Nov 17, 2023 • 48min
A different kind of intervals - but one that's still backed by science
This podcast explores the benefits of gratitude on mental and physical well-being. They discuss 'grateful intervals' and express gratitude towards the podcast community. They also announce a Black Friday sale and a new training camp in Tucson, Arizona. The efficiency of pedal systems and the impact on performance are explored. Experts find no measurable difference in power transfer despite increased pedal stiffness. The benefits of using mountain bike pedals and shoes are discussed. The hosts share their experience using Fastcat's training plans and coaches, and introduce the topic of intervals. They express gratitude for various aspects of their lives and work. Finally, they discuss taking things one step at a time to achieve long-term goals and the benefits of gratitude.

Nov 10, 2023 • 55min
Custom Training Plan Builder
From the Flanders Sportive to the Leadville Trail 100 to Unbound Gravel to just being fit for the group ride, riders have a wide variety of cycling goals for 2024. But how do you get there? How do you time and stack up your various training plans and goals to arrive at your event primed and ready to go? That's exactly what this podcast is all about. We'll talk about the three main elements of training you need, and how to work your way backwards from your target to right here, right now. Those three elements are: Off season training - with weights, or not Base training - with Sweet Spot Interval training / event-specific plans - with long endurance training On this podcast we walk you through four goal scenarios, to help you understand how to tweak the training process to get where you want to go. And we're going to tell you about how our Optimize app can automate and simplify this whole process for you - all while tracking your progress and your training-to-recovery balance. --- Have you been enjoying the FasCat Podcast? Please leave us a review on the App Store or Google Play. Thanks! You can save 25% off your subscription to Optimize — your year-round training solution with unlimited training plans, meal plans and strength and conditioning videos — with the code 25podcast.

Nov 3, 2023 • 58min
Want to ride 1,200km? FasCat Lisa Charlebois did
1,200 kilometers, or 745 miles. That's a long distance for an unsupported event! But that's exactly what Lisa Charlesbois did this year at Paris-Brest-Paris, arguably the oldest bicycle race in the world. She finished in 78 hours and 27 minutes, sleeping 9 hours in total during that time. On this podcast, Lisa chats with her coach Allie Legg and host Ben Delaney about training and preparing for such a monster event — and the excitement and nervousness and motivation for completing such a daunting task in another country. --- FasCat has a new Zwift racing training plan, centered around racing on Tuesday for all you WTRL and ZRL racers out there. The plan includes the all-important race warm-up protocol on Tuesday. SBT GRVL is one of our favorite gravel events on the calendar, but getting in is tough as spots sell out via lottery in a flash. This year, we have a limited number of guaranteed entries that you can purchase with a one-on-one coaching package. Already a coached athlete? Then you can purchase a guaranteed entry here. Come train with us in April in Santa Ynez! Join the FasCat Coaches for a 5 night, 4 day training camp! Includes lodging, chef-prepared meals, Coach-led rides, airport pickup, sag support and more. --- Have you been enjoying the FasCat Podcast? Please leave us a review on the App Store or Google Play. Thanks! You can save 25% off your subscription to Optimize — your year-round training solution with unlimited training plans, meal plans and strength and conditioning videos — with the code 25podcast.

Oct 27, 2023 • 1h 2min
Coach Elliott's Top 5 Tips: More... carbs, self awareness, fun, flexibility & learning
Coach and three-time U.S. MTB national champion Elliott Baring has raced all the main cycling disciplines and coaches his athletes in a wide variety of pursuits. On this podcast, he explains his Top 5 Training Tips that apply to athletes of all levels. More is not always better, but 'more' is a theme for his top tips. Take on more carbs in races and hard training sessions. The optimal amount varies by person, but you're likely underfueling, which compromises not only that day's effort but the next day's as well. Rely on RPE (rate of perceived exertion) and speed instead of power when racing. And practice pacing with RPE in training, too! Keep things fun. Pay attention to motivation and drive, take breaks, and switch things up. Be flexible. Going with the flow with decrease mental and physical stress, and make you a more effective athlete and a happier person. Always be learning. Cycling's various categories are constantly evolving, as is our understanding of nutrition, training and equipment. Also, just because a pro or pro team does or uses something doesn't meant that is ideal for you. Study, test and trial new things. Announcements! FasCat has a new Zwift racing training plan, centered around racing on Tuesday for all you WTRL and ZRL racers out there. The plan includes the all-important race warm-up protocol on Tuesday. SBT GRVL is one of our favorite gravel events on the calendar, but getting in is tough as spots sell out via lottery in a flash. This year, we have a limited number of guaranteed entries that you can purchase with a one-on-one coaching package. Already a coached athlete? Then you can purchase a guaranteed entry here. Come train with us in April in Santa Ynez! Join the FasCat Coaches for a 5 night, 4 day training camp! Includes lodging, chef-prepared meals, Coach-led rides, airport pickup, sag support and more. Have you been enjoying the FasCat Podcast? Please leave us a review on the App Store or Google Play. Thanks! You can save 25% off your subscription to Optimize — your year-round training solution with unlimited training plans, meal plans and strength and conditioning videos — with the code 25podcast.

Oct 20, 2023 • 50min
Go fast, stay warm: Clothing tips with Castelli's Alvin Nordell
Cycling clothing has come a long way in the last few years, both in terms of comfortable construction and our understanding of how it can speed us up or slow us down. On this podcast, Castelli team liaison Alvin Nordell joins Ben Delaney to talk about what the world's best athletes use now and when, and also what all of us cyclists can and should do for clothing in various conditions. In warm weather, it's pretty easy: get a snug-fitting jersey and bibs. (Although there are tradeoffs for ultimate speed vs breathability.) In cold weather, it's a bit trickier, and Alvin shares some tips from his decade-plus of experience in the clothing industry, including working with teams like Soudal—Quick-Step. Have you been enjoying the FasCat Podcast? Please leave us a review on the App Store or Google Play. Thanks! You can save 25% off your subscription to Optimize — your year-round training solution with unlimited training plans, meal plans and strength and conditioning videos — with the code 25podcast. https://fascatcoaching.com/pages/app

Oct 13, 2023 • 1h 15min
Ask a FasCat #26: maintaining strength as we age, balancing fitness gains with losing weight, and more
You've got training questions; we've got answers! In fact, you had so many questions last week that we extended Ask A FasCat into a two-pod series. On this podcast, Director of Coaching Isaiah Newkirk fields an array of your questions on subjects like balancing fitness gains with losing weight, maintaining muscle and bone density as we age, rescheduling workouts during the week, indoor racing, and much more. Have you been enjoying the FasCat Podcast? Please leave us a review on the App Store or Google Play. Thanks! You can save 25% off your subscription to Optimize — your year-round training solution with unlimited training plans, meal plans and strength and conditioning videos — with the code 25podcast. https://fascatcoaching.com/pages/app

Oct 6, 2023 • 1h 37min
Ask a FasCat #25: lifting weights, losing weight, boosting FTP & the Boogeyman
It's that time again: you ask training questions, and we answer. Since we had well over 100 good questions come in this time, we're breaking this episode of Ask a FasCat into two. On this podcast, FasCat Founder Frank Overton tackles questions on subjets like lifting weights, losing weight, boosting FTP & the Boogeyman. Yes, the Boogeyman. Which listener won the custom Castelli FasCat kit for the best question? Listen in and find out. Have you been enjoying the FasCat Podcast? Please leave us a review on the App Store or Google Play. Thanks! You can save 25% off your subscription to Optimize — your year-round training solution with unlimited training plans, meal plans and strength and conditioning videos — with the code 25podcast. https://fascatcoaching.com/pages/app

Sep 29, 2023 • 1h
Alternative Weightlifting Options for Cyclists
At FasCat, we're big believers in the big three for weightlifting for cyclists: the squat, the leg press, and the leg curl. (Done for a 10-week block during the off-season.) But there are plenty of other great exercises out there that can benefit you as a cyclist, too! In this podcast, we talk about the exercises we recommend throughout the year, plus some alternative to the big three, as we realize that some riders may face obstacles with the squat or leg press. Have you been enjoying the FasCat Podcast? Please leave us a review on the App Store or Google Play. Thanks! You can save 25% off your subscription to Optimize — your year-round training solution with unlimited training plans, meal plans and strenght and conditioning videos — with the code 25podcast. https://fascatcoaching.com/pages/app

Sep 22, 2023 • 1h 2min
Lift weights to get faster on the bike
The off-season is a great time to do a cycling-focused weightlifting regiment in order to be stronger and faster next year. Why should cyclists lift weights? How should cyclists lift weights? And how does strength gained in the gym translate to power on the bike? Frank Overton and Ben Delaney address all these issues and more in this podcast, which is #7 in an 8-part Off-Season How-To series. -- We have many off-season training plans - including weightlifting plans - to get you through the fall and winter, all of which are included in a subscription to Optimize. Use the code 25podcast to save 25% off your subscription now.


