Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling
Unlock your endurance potential. The Training Babble Podcast takes a deep dive into the strategy and science behind training for off-road cycling and gravel racing. Host Dave Schell brings over 20 years of coaching and racing experience, including as former Director of Education at TrainingPeaks.
Each episode features interviews with experts and insiders to inform your training on topics like physiology, nutrition, mental toughness, equipment selection, and race tactics. Expect an informative yet lighthearted conversation filled with practical tips to up your performance. Special guests from across the cycling world join to share their hard-earned wisdom.
Whether you're an amateur looking to reach new heights or a coach wanting to refine your craft, The Training Babble Podcast offers a master-class in endurance training. Challenging conventional methods, busting myths, and digging into the latest research, this show equips you with the knowledge to train smarter and unlock your full athletic potential.
Subscribe to the Training Babble Podcast and join our community of passionate off-road cyclists. With tips, stories, and advice from leading figures in gravel and mountain biking, we're here to support your journey to peak performance and beyond. Elevate your off-road cycling experience with us.
Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling
FTP is everything, FTP is nothing
In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, hosts Dave Schell and Matti Rowe dive into the complexities of training metrics, particularly focusing on Functional Threshold Power (FTP) and its relevance in endurance sports. They discuss the evolving definitions of endurance, durability, and the importance of volume in training. The conversation highlights the sacrifices athletes must make to achieve high performance and the often unspoken realities behind setting and pursuing goals in the competitive sports landscape. In this conversation, Dave Schell and Matti discuss the intricacies of race dynamics, the importance of nutrition, and the mental strategies needed for successful cycling. They emphasize the need for a balanced approach to training and racing, considering both performance goals and personal relationships. The discussion also touches on the psychological aspects of competition and the significance of consistency in achieving long-term success.
Takeaways
- FTP is not the only metric that matters in training.
- Durability is a crucial aspect of endurance sports.
- Training volume often has a greater impact on performance than FTP alone.
- Athletes need to balance their training with recovery for optimal results.
- The importance of understanding personal goals and sacrifices in training.
- Metrics can be useful but should not be the sole focus of training.
- High performance requires significant lifestyle sacrifices.
- Athletes often have secret goals that they may not express openly.
- The relationship between training intensity and overall performance is complex.
- Success in endurance sports often comes from a combination of factors, not just one metric. The numbers you want to see in training are not what you want in racing.
- Start races conservatively to avoid burnout later.
- Choosing the right race distance can enhance enjoyment and performance.
- It's important to balance training with personal relationships.
- Many athletes downplay their competitive goals due to fear of failure.
- Risk-taking is essential in sports; you must be willing to fail.
- Consistency over time is more important than short-term gains.
- Training should be viewed as an investment with ups and downs.
- Athletes often struggle with the pressure of performance expectations.
- The journey of improvement is often not linear, but requires patience.
