Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling - End of Year Wrap Up and tips for Kicking off 2025 on the Right Foot

End of Year Wrap Up and tips for Kicking off 2025 on the Right Foot

12/31/24 • 15 min

Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling

Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Schell reflects on the past year, expressing gratitude to listeners and sharing insights on coaching and training strategies. He emphasizes a minimalist approach to coaching, the importance of flexibility in training plans, and debunks myths surrounding base training and zone two training. Schell advocates for simplicity and effectiveness in workouts, encouraging athletes to focus on performance metrics beyond just FTP.

Takeaways

Focus on doing a small amount of things well.
Be flexible with your training plans.
Quality time on the trainer is essential.
Zone two training should be viewed as endurance work.
Simplicity in workouts leads to better tracking of progress.
Workouts should be flexible in intensity and volume.
FTP is not the only measure of success.
Performance at races is the ultimate goal.
Consider other metrics like five-hour power.
Engage in various aerobic activities during winter.

Takeaways

Focus on doing a small amount of things well.
Be flexible with your training plans.
Quality time on the trainer is essential.
Zone two training should be viewed as endurance work.
Simplicity in workouts leads to better tracking of progress.
Workouts should be flexible in intensity and volume.
FTP is not the only measure of success.
Performance at races is the ultimate goal.
Consider other metrics like five-hour power.
Engage in various aerobic activities during winter.

Previous Episode

Healthy Weight Loss for Endurance Athletes with Alex Larson

Let's connect! Send me a message at KaizenEndurance
Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Schell speaks with registered dietitian Alex Larson about healthy weight loss strategies for endurance athletes. They discuss the importance of nutrition in training, the shift from focusing on weight loss to improving body composition, and personalized nutrition strategies that can enhance performance. Alex emphasizes the significance of protein intake for recovery and performance, common mistakes athletes make in their weight loss approaches, and the concept of healthy caloric deficits. The conversation highlights the need for a balanced approach to nutrition that supports both athletic performance and overall well-being. In this conversation, Alex Larson discusses the critical role of carbohydrates in fueling workouts, the importance of proper nutrition before, during, and after exercise, and strategies for building gut tolerance to higher carbohydrate intake. The discussion also covers considerations for weight loss, age, and gender differences in nutrition, emphasizing the need for patience and consistency in achieving body composition goals.
Takeaways

Nutrition plays a crucial role in endurance training success.
Fasted training is not an effective weight loss strategy for athletes.
Focus on losing excess body fat while maintaining muscle mass.
Personalized nutrition plans are essential for athletes' success.
Breakfast is a key meal for regulating hunger and energy levels.
Protein intake is vital for recovery and performance enhancement.
Avoid overly restrictive diets that can lead to binge eating.
Front-loading nutrition can prevent evening cravings and binges.
A slight caloric deficit can lead to sustainable body composition changes.
Embrace carbohydrates during workouts to fuel performance. Carbohydrates are essential for energy during workouts.
Feeling good after a workout boosts confidence and motivation.
Proper fueling strategies can enhance workout performance.
Building gut tolerance for carbs is crucial for endurance athletes.
Nutrition should be optimized for both performance and weight loss.
Recovery nutrition should include carbs, protein, and hydration.
Age can affect muscle mass and hydration needs.
Women may experience slower body composition changes during menopause.
Consistency and patience are key to achieving body composition goals.
Working with a dietitian can provide personalized nutrition guidance.

Find Alex at AlexLarsonNutrion.com or follow her on Instagram

Next Episode

Training Check-In with Phil: CRAZY VO2 Max and 5 min power increase

Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble Podcast, host Dave Schell and Dr. Phil Batterson discuss Phil's training journey as he prepares for an uphill running race. They cover the structure of his training, focusing on VO2 max work, the importance of consistency and adaptation, and the physiological testing that has informed his progress. Phil shares insights on nutrition, health markers from blood tests, and outlines his future training plans leading up to the race.

Takeaways

Consistency is crucial for improvement in training.
VO2 max has increased by 10% over the training period.
Quality reps are more important than sheer volume.
RPE allows flexibility in training intensity.
Dogs can be great motivators during workouts.
Nutrition plays a significant role in performance.
Blood testing can reveal important health markers.
Training should adapt based on performance feedback.
Physiological testing helps track progress effectively.
Future training will focus on race-specific efforts.

Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling - End of Year Wrap Up and tips for Kicking off 2025 on the Right Foot

Transcript

Dave Schell (00:08.334)
Welcome back to the Training Babel podcast. I'm your host Dave Schell and we are back for one last show of the season before we enter the next year. So first off, I just want to express my gratitude to everybody that's been listening. I started this back in 2019 after I left Training Peaks where I had started the coach cast there and I enjoyed doing podcasts so much that it was something that I wanted to continue doing.
And when I first started doing it, I didn't