The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS

Dive into the world of cycling field tests as different methods are explored for measuring fitness. Learn about the pros and cons of popular tests like the 20-Minute FTP, Ramp Test, and 2 x 8-Minute Test. Each test has its unique applications—perfect for both novices and seasoned cyclists. Discover how to update your training intensity effectively and find out which test suits your goals best. There’s a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to enhance their cycling performance!

Alison Jackson, a two-time Olympian and Paris-Roubaix winner, shares her journey from Olympic inspiration to becoming a cycling sensation. She discusses finding motivation through playfulness and the importance of maintaining curiosity. Alison reveals techniques for overcoming training challenges and emphasizes the role of community support in inspiring oneself and others. Her insights on balancing seriousness with fun in athletics create a refreshing perspective on achieving greatness, making this an engaging listen for aspiring athletes.

Virtual racing can be an exciting addition to training, but it’s crucial to use it wisely. Discover how to decide between a virtual race and a planned interval workout. Learn the common mistakes to avoid when incorporating virtual racing into your training plan. The podcast highlights the importance of balance, emphasizing both high-intensity sessions and the need for recovery. Gain insights on effectively integrating platforms like Zwift into a structured program without risking burnout.

Joe Friel, a legendary endurance coach and author known for books like "The Cyclist's Training Bible," shares invaluable insights for cyclists of all levels. He discusses the power of a high-performance mindset and how to balance training with career and family. Joe delves into the crucial difference between overtraining and overreaching, emphasizing the importance of recovery. He also highlights the necessity of strength training for both time-crunched and aging athletes, offering tips on customization and race readiness.

Discover the myth surrounding high-intensity intervals and Zone 2 workouts. Training intensities can actually complement each other, enhancing performance rather than hindering it. Learn about the importance of diverse training methods for overall fitness improvement. The podcast dives into the science of energy sources during exercise and the principle of progressive overload. It's a fresh take on optimizing endurance training for athletes of all levels, encouraging a balanced approach to workouts.

Explore the art of balancing training and recovery for peak cycling performance. Discover when to push through fatigue versus when to prioritize rest. Learn about strategies for freshening up before key sessions and how to schedule structured tapers. Find out how to incorporate recovery into your annual training plan, ensuring you hit your goals feeling your best. Coach Adam Pulford shares insights from nearly two decades of experience to help you optimize your cycling journey.

Overview:You are an athlete. Yes, you. Even if you don't always feel like one. Even if you're not as fit as you'd like. Being an athlete is part of your identity and who you are. It influences your priorities, eating behaviors, sleeping choices, and even your relationships and career decisions. Athlete, coach, parent, and journalist Pam Moore joins Coach Adam Pulford to delve into the power of athlete identity and how leaning into it can improve all aspects of your life and performance. Topics Covered In This Episode:Defining athlete identityOccupational therapy insights on athlete identityHow athlete identity changes with life transitions (kids, jobs, marriage, etc.)Maintaining athlete identity when life gets busyAdapting athlete identity with advancing ageHow shame affects athlete identityHow self compassion improves longevity in sport/trainingGuest:Pam Moore started out as an Occupational Therapist before committing to her passion for writing and becoming a journalist. A regular contributor to The Washington Post, her work has also appeared in Time, The Guardian, and Runner’s World, Bicycling Magazine, and for well-known brands like Peloton. She earned a certification as an Intuitive Eating Counselor.Show Links:Pam Moore's WebsitePam's Podcast Real Fit — Pam MooreASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHostAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 14 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

Pam Moore, an intuitive eating coach and journalist known for her contributions to major publications like The Washington Post and Runner’s World, shares her insights on the transformative power of intuitive eating. She discusses how to embrace mindfulness in eating, recognize bodily cues, and reframe the approach to nutrition, moving away from tracking calories. Pam emphasizes the importance of fostering a healthy relationship with food to enhance athletic performance and mental well-being, encouraging listeners to prioritize satisfaction and self-awareness.

OVERVIEWShould you perform your interval efforts at the beginning or end of your workout? In most cases, doing hard efforts early, when you are freshest, increases power output and time-at-intensity for those intervals. In this episode, Coach Adam Pulford provides the rationale behind this structure and shares the three specific scenarios when he has athletes ride in Zone 2 for most of the ride and execute hard efforts at the end.TOPICS COVEREDWhy you should do intervals in the first third of your workout.How early intervals improve Zone 2 training effect afterwardIntervals at the end for competition specificityIntervals at the end for fatigue resistance training/durabilityInterval timing advice for Time-Crunched AthleteASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLINKS/RESOURCESWorkout & Interval Structure: Decoding Interval Workouts: How to determine the number and duration of intervalsThe Science of Training Your Durability and Fatigue Resistance: https://youtu.be/8-RRwmlErDI or https://www.buzzsprout.com/813266/episodes/15275108 Fatigue Resistance Training and Testing: https://youtu.be/556YzqceA9E or https://www.buzzsprout.com/813266/episodes/15507165 Knowledge is Watt: DURABILITY: THE FOURTH DIMENSION OF ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE: HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades 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

Join ultrarunning expert Jason Koop, Head Coach of CTS Ultrarunning, as he shares his insights on meaningful goal setting and athlete-coach collaboration. He challenges traditional forecasting methods, suggesting that granular annual plans can sometimes hinder progress. The conversation dives into the emotional aspects of recovery from injury and coaching elite athletes, emphasizing the balance between outcome and process goals. Koop also highlights the power of personal goals in driving intrinsic motivation for both coaches and athletes.