Raise your hand if you drive in the same gear whether pulling out of your driveway or driving down the freeway? At this point in my survey, I’m hoping the room is void of raised hands. Now, raise your hand if you run at one pace day in and day out? Or swim at the same speed from one workout to another? Or bike at the same effort level day after day? If you answered … [Read more...] about Learning to Differentiate Between Gears in Your Training
Training Questions
Today’s Prescribed Workout: A Nap
If you’re like most endurance athletes, the idea of a nap for a workout not only sounds oxymoronic but downright blasphemous. After all, the definition of a workout is “a session of vigorous physical exercise.” And a period of slumber is anything but a session of vigorous physical exercise. But, then again, that is the entire point. As we know from Exercise Physiology 101, … [Read more...] about Today’s Prescribed Workout: A Nap
How to Deal with Low Back Pain
By Brad A. Roy, Ph.D., FACSM, FACHE and Greg Vanichkachorn, M.D. Low back pain is one of the most prevalent medical complaints, affecting nearly every American at some point in his or her lifetime. At any given time, it is estimated that up to one third of the population is experiencing some form of back discomfort that impacts quality of life by interfering with … [Read more...] about How to Deal with Low Back Pain
Simply Resting that Pain in the Back is Not a Sufficient Plan of Action
A strong, functioning back is vital to the pursuit of any athletic endeavor. If you are an athlete suffering from low back problems, what are you actively doing to overcome those problems? If your only answer is “rest” or “abstaining from activity,” consider that inactivity or simply resting fails to achieve what you need most—stronger tissues. Functional strength … [Read more...] about Simply Resting that Pain in the Back is Not a Sufficient Plan of Action
The Importance of Establishing a Solid Training Base
This video discusses the importance of building a solid base early in the training year. Once a solid foundation is in place, you can then build upon that base and peak for your key race of the season. … [Read more...] about The Importance of Establishing a Solid Training Base