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
You Should NOT Hire a Coach...
Summary
In this episode, Dave Schell and Matti Rowe dive into the intricacies of the coach-athlete relationship, emphasizing the importance of alignment between a coach's methodology and an athlete's goals. They discuss common misconceptions about coaching, the necessity of commitment from athletes, and the reality of athletic progress, debunking the myth of instant results. The conversation highlights the need for patience and understanding in training, as well as the significance of finding the right fit between coach and athlete. In this conversation, Dave Schell and Matti discuss the limitations of indoor training for outdoor racing, emphasizing the importance of technical skills and real-world experience. They explore the challenges of coaching know-it-all athletes, the significance of applied knowledge, and the necessity of simplifying coaching strategies. The duo also delves into various athlete archetypes, including the mind reader and tightwad athletes, and highlight the importance of a strong coach-athlete relationship. Ultimately, they reflect on how endurance sports can positively impact broader life experiences.
Takeaways
- Coaching is about guiding athletes through a structured system.
- Athletes must understand the commitment required for success.
- Misalignment between stated goals and actions can hinder progress.
- Hiring a coach does not guarantee results without effort.
- The relationship between coach and athlete is complex and requires mutual understanding.
- Athletes often underestimate the time needed for improvement.
- FTP is often seen as a status symbol among endurance athletes.
- Progress in training can be non-linear and requires patience.
- Coaches often care more about athletes' goals than the athletes themselves.
- The journey of improvement is often gradual and requires consistent effort. Indoor training can lead to a false sense of fitness.
- Technical skills are crucial for outdoor racing success.
- Coaching requires balancing athlete input with expertise.
- Applied knowledge is more valuable than theoretical knowledge.
- The coach-athlete relationship thrives on engagement.
- Athletes must communicate their needs and concerns.
- Simplifying coaching to three key focus areas is effective.
- Understanding different athlete archetypes can improve coaching.
- Building trust and rapport enhances the coaching experience.
- Endurance sports can foster personal growth and resilience.
