{"id":12121,"date":"2015-10-30T11:06:11","date_gmt":"2015-10-30T18:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.trainerroad.com\/?p=12121"},"modified":"2022-04-07T07:33:21","modified_gmt":"2022-04-07T14:33:21","slug":"ask-a-cycling-coach-podcast-007-trainerroad-podcast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/ask-a-cycling-coach-podcast-007-trainerroad-podcast\/","title":{"rendered":"Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast 007 \u2013 TrainerRoad Podcast"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"lead\">TrainerRoad&#8217;s <em>Ask a Cycling Coach\u00a0<\/em>podcast is dedicated to making you a faster cyclist. It gives you the chance to get answers to your cycling and triathlon training questions with USAC certified coaches Chad Timmerman, Jonathan Lee and special guests. Check out\u00a0a couple\u00a0questions we answered in our latest episode.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Listen to the Full Episode<\/h2>\n<p><iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/tracks\/229944969&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;visual=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"350\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n<a name=\"hr\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>How do I\u00a0choose the right road training plan?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some road racers who participate in one road event are likely to participate in another \u2013 which is great! However, picking the right training plan can be tricky. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many aspects that go into an effective road-racing training plan overlap from one type\u00a0of event to the next. Therefore, you\u2019re unlikely to miss out on any fitness gains by following one and not the other. As a rule of thumb, follow the training plan for your main event. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take the following example: a cyclist who&#8217;s primarily a Crit racer, but also participates in typical, rolling road races\u00a0as well. Since TrainerRoad offers structured training plans for both events, this rider should stick with Crit plans. Again, Road Racing includes a lot of overlap between disciplines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a rider is preparing for multiple events, they can also create a \u201chybrid plan\u201d of their own by substituting one session for the other. All TrainerRoad plans are flexible, so swapping one Crit workout\u00a0for a Rolling Road Race workout\u00a0is completely fine (in the case mentioned above). Specialized plans are obviously specific to each event, as they should be \u2014 but specialized plans can still prepare you for other races within the discipline.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/trainerroad\/ask-a-cycling-coach-007-trainerroad-podcast#t=28:52\">To hear the coaches&#8217; advice on this topic, listen at 28:52.\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"weight-training\">How do I incorporate\u00a0weight training\u00a0as a\u00a0cyclist?<\/h2>\n<p>Weight training is an incredibly popular topic in the world of cycling lately, and rightfully so. If you\u2019re going to incorporate strength training into your routine, now is the time of year to do it. Many athletes break strength training for cyclists into three categories: torque intervals, bodyweight exercises and weightlifting.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Torque intervals are probably the least effective of these three. The gains are minimal, and little carries over to your actual race performance. If you\u2019re looking for improvements in raw strength, your work should\u00a0be done in the gym.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bodyweight exercises are better than torque intervals. As the name implies, they make your body stronger which in turn helps you as a cyclist However, bodyweight exercises do little to increase your maximum power \u2014 the primary benefit to strength training for cyclists. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it really comes down to it, weight training is the best way to build maximum power off the bike. As your maximum power increases, you\u2019re able to output more power on the bike and in turn, become a faster cyclist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A great way to work weight training into your fitness routine is during the Base phase. It\u2019s the most forgiving time of training, and as a result you\u2019ll be less exhausted and have more energy to train on and off the bike. Here\u2019s how you can periodize your strength training in accordance to your Base training. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>During the first 4-6 weeks of your Base phase:<\/strong>\u00a0Your main goal is familiarizing your body, muscles, joints and connective tissue with the weightlifting process. Train 2-3 times per week, lifting light weight in 2-3 sets of high reps (between 15-20). This stage is crucial to preparing your body for the training to come.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>In the middle of your Base phase:<\/strong>\u00a0Your goal is to start getting stronger. Train 2-3 times per week, lifting heavier weights in 2-3 sets of medium reps (between 10-15). This phase primes your body for the heavy lifting to come. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>For the last 4-6 weeks of your Base phase:<\/strong>\u00a0You begin increasing your maximum strength. Train 2-3 times per week, lifting heavy weights in 2-3 sets of low repts (between 4-6). This is the phase of your base training that you\u2019ve been waiting for. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few things to keep in mind: First off, it\u2019s difficult to do endurance training and weight training at the same time. If possible, do your endurance training on the bike early in the morning and your strength training later in the day, or even late at night. If you can strength train on your rest days, that\u2019s even better. However, this is often easier said than done. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The last element to keep in mind is maintenance. After months of hard work, it only takes a little bit of high-intensity, low-rep strength training each week and you\u2019re strength gains are there to stay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/trainerroad\/ask-a-cycling-coach-007-trainerroad-podcast#t=54:38\">To hear the coaches&#8217;\u00a0advice on this topic, listen at 54:38.\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Additional Notes<\/h2>\n<p>We answered a lot of questions in this week&#8217;s <em>Ask a Cycling Coach\u00a0<\/em>podcast.\u00a0You can learn more about these topics with our resources below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/timing-nutrition-training\/\">How to plan your nutrition for training<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/specialty-blocks-climbing-road-race\/\">How to become a faster climber<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/cx-is-coming-new-cyclocross-specialty-blocks\/\">How to add volume when training for cyclocross<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/skimp-training-fuel-lose-fat\/\">What to eat before training in the morning<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/improved-cycling-training-plans\/\">How to become a faster cyclist in less time<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/how-to-get-started-on-a-structured-training-plan\/\">How your base training plan will make you faster<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/basic-advanced-ingredients-optimal-recovery\/\">How to recover after an Olympic Distance Triathlon<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/ask-a-cycling-coach-podcast-001\/\">How to adjust your training after vacation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/how-to-get-started-on-a-structured-training-plan\/\">How to extend your base training<\/a><\/li>\n<li>What is ultra endurance racing<\/li>\n<li>How does FTP relate to VO2 Max<\/li>\n<li>How to train for a full Ironman<\/li>\n<li>Can I skip base training<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/specialty-blocks-mtb\/\">How to train for Leadville<\/a><\/li>\n<li>How to use TrainerRoad outdoors<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/cycling\/plans\/202-century-mid-volume\">How to train for a Gran Fondo<\/a><\/li>\n<li>How to train while recovering from a knee injury<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/specialty-blocks-40k-tt\/\">How to taper for a 40k time trial<\/a><\/li>\n<li>How to build core strength for cycling<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/improved-cycling-training-plans\/\">How to start training for a beginner cyclist<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/improved-cycling-training-plans\/\">How to use TrainerRoad&#8217;s training plans<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/cycling\/plans\/base\">How to increase FTP with lower-intensity intervals<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/specialty-blocks-triathlon\/\">How to train for a Sprint Triathlon<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/cycling\/plans\/202-century-mid-volume\">How to train for a sportive<\/a><\/li>\n<li>How to incorporate running into triathlon training<\/li>\n<li>How to incorporate cross country skiing into cycling training<\/li>\n<li>How to pace a time trial<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/improved-cycling-training-plans\/\">How to raise your average speed as a cyclist<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/improved-cycling-training-plans\/\">Traditional base training vs. sweet spot<\/a><\/li>\n<li>How to use indoor training for elite cyclists<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/improved-cycling-training-plans\/\">How to train for The Dirty Kanza<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/should-i-be-in-my-aero-position-during-ftp-tests\/\">How does bike fit affect power output<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Is on-the-bike and recovery nutrition necessary for low volume training<\/li>\n<li>How to work group rides into base training<\/li>\n<li>How to train for track racing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"lead\">If you have a\u00a0question that you&#8217;d like to ask Coach Chad, <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/1ya3EOx0tWRpwlF8TfxdcKL2UeESgBoEAwpLVmwrlt3g\/viewform?usp=send_form\">submit your question here<\/a>. We&#8217;ll do our best to answer them on\u00a0the next episode of the Ask a Cycling Coach podcast.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TrainerRoad&#8217;s Ask a Cycling Coach\u00a0podcast is dedicated to making you a faster cyclist. It gives you the chance to get answers to your cycling and triathlon training questions with USAC certified coaches Chad Timmerman, Jonathan Lee and special guests. Check out\u00a0a couple\u00a0questions we answered in our latest episode. Listen to the Full Episode How do&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":12151,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3460,5],"tags":[18,43,49,56,68,73,116,117,120,134,141,142,144,145,152,154,179,186,246,252,265,266,272,355,373,379,384,424,445,446,455,465,473,474,495,498,512,550,552,561,585,599,603,642,675,676,677,686,688,709,736,744,747,752,758,773,790],"class_list":["post-12121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ask-a-cycling-coach-podcast","category-training","tag-40k","tag-ask-a-cycling-coach","tag-average-speed","tag-base","tag-beginner","tag-bike-fit","tag-climber","tag-climbing","tag-coach","tag-core-strength","tag-crit","tag-criterium","tag-cross","tag-cross-country","tag-cx","tag-cycling","tag-cyclocross","tag-dirty-kanza","tag-ftp","tag-full-distance","tag-gran-fondo","tag-gravel","tag-group-rides","tag-ironman","tag-knee-injury","tag-leadville","tag-lifting","tag-mtb","tag-novice","tag-nutrition","tag-olympic","tag-outside","tag-pace","tag-pacing","tag-plan","tag-podcast","tag-pre-race","tag-road-race","tag-road-racing","tag-running","tag-skiing","tag-sportive","tag-sprint","tag-sweet-spot","tag-time-crunch","tag-time-off","tag-time-trial","tag-track-racing","tag-traditional","tag-training","tag-triathlon","tag-tt","tag-ultra-endurance","tag-vacation","tag-vo2","tag-weight-training","tag-xc"],"cc_featured_image_caption":{"caption_text":false,"source_text":false,"source_url":false},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12121","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12121"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12121\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}