The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS

Questions and topics covered in this episode:How can I improve sleep quality and stop waking up multiple times per nightCan I split a 4-hour ride into two 2-hour rides or should I keep it one long rideHow can I increase flexibility in my low back and hips for improved bike fitDo the principles of training density apply outside of cycling-specific training?ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHostAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 13 years and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.LinksEpisode 135 on Training DensityCoach Jason Koop's article on Training DensityEpisode 123: Off-the-Bike Training: Body, Brain, and Breath Training with Erin Carson Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Key topics in this episode:What is a Zone 2 plateau?What's happening when CTL and Ramp Rate flatten?How long does it take for a Zone 2 plateau to develop?What to do once you plateau from Zone 2 training?ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHostAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 13 years and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Key topics in this episode:What are the meaningful differences, from a training perspective, between gravel and road racing?Pacing and effort characteristics between gravel and road racingNutrition and support differences between gravel and road racesTime-Crunched training for road races vs. gravel racesKey Time-Crunched Cyclist workouts for developing gravel-specific fitnessKey Time-Crunched Cyclist workouts for developing road racing fitnessASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTGuestJason Siegle has quietly become one of the top cycling coaches at CTS and in the cycling coaching profession. As an athlete he was a professional mountain bike racer and road racer. He has been a CTS Coach for more than 10 years, working with a diverse set of athletes that range from beginners to professionals. One of Jason's higher profile athletes is Olympian and NBA Hall of Fame inductee, Reggie Miller.HostAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 13 years and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Key topics in this episode:Prioritizing training frequency vs. duration vs. intensityKey workouts for maintaining fitness while travelingKey training zones for preventing loss of aerobic fitness during periods of severely reduced training availability ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHostAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 13 years and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Key topics in this episode:Focus on fitness and power side of the equation firstTrain for increasing Functional Threshold Power (FTP) and increased Time to Exhaustion (TTE)Extensive (training to extend efforts) vs. Intensive (training to increase power at an intensity) trainingExample WorkoutsClimbingRepeats: 3x8min with 4 minutes spinning between them. ClimbingRepeats are top end of threshold range, bordering on VO2 max intensity, RPE of 9/10.HillAccelerations: 3 x 8min. Efforts start at SteadyState intensity (RPE of 7/10) for 7 minutes and then accelerate to  RPE 10/10 for final minute.SteadyState Intervals: 2 x 20min at 91-105% of FTP. For these longer ones, aim for the lower end of the range (91% of FTP)When you focus on fitness and good habits (sleep, recovery, reducing stress), body weight and body composition often take care of themselves.If you need proactive weight loss, aim to reduce caloric intake by about 500 calories per day through portion control. ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHostAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 13 years and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Key topics in this episode:Sleep: the master recovery toolWhy you should pause between training and the rest of your dayPost-workout nutrition for Time-Crunched CyclistsThe value of doing fewer recovery-oriented activitiesASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHostAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 13 years and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Key topics in this episode:Best Practices:Standardize your indoor cycling setup/equipment/appsGet more fans for greater airflowPosition screens at normal sightline for outdoor riding positionHow to align indoor cycling with your training goals.Advantages to indoor cycling that outdoor cycling can't matchExamining and fixing the difference between indoor and outdoor power outputs.How indoor cycling can increase training availability for Time-Crunched Cyclists by 30-50% weekly, monthly, and yearly.Using indoor cycling as a low-risk way to improve bike fit.How to take your indoor cycling fitness outside.LINKSRide Inside book by Joe Friel and Jim RutbergAre FTP and Power Training Zones Different for Outdoor and Indoor Cycling?ERG Mode for Indoor Cycling: When to use it and when to turn it offTop 6 Indoor Cycling Mistakes to Avoid or FixASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTGuestJim Rutberg has been an athlete, coach, and content creator in the outdoor sports, endurance coaching, and event industries for more than 20 years. He is the Media Director and a coach for CTS and co-author of several training and sports nutrition books, including Training Essentials for Ultrarunning with Jason Koop, Ride Inside with Joe Friel, and The Time-Crunched Cyclist with Chris Carmichael. He writes for trainright.com and his work has appeared in Bicycling, Outside, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Velonews, Inside Triathlon, and on numerous websites. A graduate of Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology, Jim resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his two sons, Oliver and Elliot. He can be reached at jrutberg@trainright.com or @rutty_rides on Instagram.HostAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 13 years and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Key topics in this episode:Question #1: I'm 77 years old and an experienced cyclist. I cannot find out just how much weight I should be moving at my age. Currently at 400 lbs on the [leg] press and 155 pounds on the squat - both multiple reps. How much weight is too much? How frequently?Short Answer: Compare you to you, not to othersLong answers: Use qualitative and quantitative data as your guideQualitative: Rating of Perceived Exertion.  Hard days: 8-10 reps at RPE of 7-8 on a 10-point scale. Very hard days: 4-6 reps at RPE 9-10. Quantitative: % of 1 Rep Maximum (1RM). Either test or use chart from NSCA. Strength: >85% for reps of 4-6Power: 80-90% for reps of 1-2, 75-85% for reps of 3-5Hypertrophy: 67-85% for reps of 6-12Muscular Endurance: <67% for reps of 12+Question #2: “I'm using the time-crunched training plans. Should I put strength sessions on interval days or on one of the off days?”If you are only able to keep up with TCC cycling plan, then keep hard days hard and easy days easy or rest. Don't add strength training to easy or rest days.If all else is going well (you have extra time, sleeping well, nutrition is good, lifestyle stress is under control, etc.), then try swapping a rest day with a strength training day.When training volume is low and you have good habits already established, adding in a strength training session to your overall plan can be a healthy thingThis can add strength and performance to both bike and off the bike lifeDon’t add this in if you are not sleeping well, stressed out, or are already missing other training sessions during the week. ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLinksNational Strength and Conditioning Association 1RM ChartThe Aging Neuromuscular System and Motor PerformanceStrength Training Resources:NSCA 1RM ChartArticle on RPE and RIRHostAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 13 years and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Key topics in this episode:Why overhyping Zone 2 does Time-Crunched Cyclists a disserviceSimilarities between Time-Crunched Cyclist, Polarized, and 80/20 paradigmsZone 3: Is it useful or useless? Should you use it or avoid it?Extensive vs. Intensive interval training for Time-Crunched CyclistsHow to shift training from base/foundation to prep/event-specific workAdvantages of a "recovery-rich" training scheduleHow to embrace the benefits of time-crunched trainingASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTExample Workouts: Intensive Threshold Training Example:Monday: restTues: 4x8min @ Upper Threshold (95-105% of FTP) with 4min RBI; 75minWed: restThurs: 4x6min @ Upper Threshold (95-105% of FTP) with 4min RBI; 75minSaturday: Zwift Group ride or Race, ~1.5hr total. Sunday: 2hrs @ Zone 2 Endurance Extensive Threshold Training Example:Monday: restTues: 2x20min @ Threshold (91-101% of FTP) with 5-7min RBI; 75minWednesday: restThurs: 3x12min @ Threshold (91-101% of FTP) with 5-6min RBI; 75min Saturday: Zwift Group ride or Race, ~1.5hr total. Sunday: 2hrs @ Zone 2 Endurance  (One way to add DENSITY to this program is to rest on Sunday and do Group ride + volume on Saturday for 3-4hrs total that day)GuestJim Rutberg has been an athlete, coach, and content creator in the outdoor sports, endurance coaching, and event industries for more than 20 years. He is the Media Director and a coach for CTS and co-author of several training and sports nutrition books, including Training Essentials for Ultrarunning with Jason Koop, Ride Inside with Joe Friel, and The Time-Crunched Cyclist with Chris Carmichael. He writes for trainright.com and his work has appeared in Bicycling, Outside, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Velonews, Inside Triathlon, and on numerous websites. A graduate of Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology, Jim resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his two sons, Oliver and Elliot. He can be reached at jrutberg@trainright.com or @rutty_rides on Instagram.HostAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 13 years and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Key topics in this episode:Question #1: What training metrics should change for 65+ year old Grand Masters cyclists?Should aging athletes calculate training intensities differently?How to change training density and work:rest ratios for aging athleteHow athlete phenotype changes training prescriptionTime-crunched vs. time-rich athletes after retirementMaintaining VO2 max for experienced athletes, building VO2 max for novicesQuestion #2: I need a recovery plan. What do I do?Start with sleepSeparate hard from easyListen to Episode #131 and Episode #3ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLinksTraining Zones/Advice for Aging Athlete:Joe Friel: https://joefrieltraining.com/fast-after-60-70-part-8/Joe’s 5-2: https://joefrieltraining.com/fast-after60-70-part-6/The Aging Neuromuscular System and Motor Performance:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27516536/HostAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 13 years and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete