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The Endurance Athlete Journey
The Endurance Athlete Journey Podcast helps runners, triathletes, and endurance athletes train smarter, fuel better, and build long-term durability in sport.
Hosted by Coach Justin and sports dietitian Katie, the show explores the training, nutrition, recovery, and mindset challenges endurance athletes actually face—without the confusion and generic internet fitness advice that often leads to burnout, inconsistency, and frustration.
From first triathlons and swim anxiety to fueling mistakes, recovery, race-day expectations, and balancing training with real life, each episode combines practical coaching insight with evidence-based nutrition guidance and honest athlete conversations to help listeners better understand the “why” behind their training and fueling decisions.
Whether you’re preparing for your first race or trying to become a more complete endurance athlete, this podcast gives you clear, experience-driven guidance you can actually apply to your training, recovery, and performance.
The Endurance Athlete Journey
Episode 36: Training in the Gap – Approaches to Mastering the “Off-Season”
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Summary
In this episode of the Endurance Athlete Journey Podcast, Coach Justin and Coach Katie discuss the importance of base fitness and how to maintain or improve fitness during the off-season. They explore various approaches to off-season training, the significance of setting goals, and the balance between maintaining fitness and enjoying the training process. The conversation emphasizes the need for some structure, but also some flexibility, and the importance of allowing time for recovery and enjoyment in fitness activities.
Takeaways
- Base fitness is crucial for maintaining performance during the off-season.
- Off-season training should not mean complete inactivity; it can be a time for recovery and enjoyment.
- Different athletes may require different approaches to off-season training based on their goals and fitness levels.
- Setting specific goals for the upcoming season can help maintain motivation during the off-season.
- Incorporating strength training during the off-season can build a solid foundation for future training.
- It's important to find enjoyment in training to prevent burnout and maintain long-term engagement.
- Athletes should consider their individual needs and preferences when planning their off-season training.
- Gradually ramping up training intensity and volume after a break is essential to avoid injuries.
- Maintaining a minimum level of activity during the off-season can help preserve fitness levels.
- Flexibility in training plans allows athletes to adapt to life changes and seasonal variations.
For coaching inquiries:
Coach Katie → https://fuel2run.com
Coach Justin → https://tabularasaracing.com
Podcast Email → theenduranceathletejourney@gmail.com
