
Is There a Value to the One-Hour Easy Ride?
We all understand the purpose of high-intensity intervals and long endurance rides, but is there a value to kitting up and doing a workout that’s both short and easy?
The Fast Talk Podcast focuses on the science of endurance sports in a conversational and informative style. Mixed into the deep discussions, there are tips and takeaways regarding endurance training philosophy, human physiology, workout design, performance nutrition, and sport psychology.
Our hosts Trevor Connor and Rob Pickels explore these topics with world-class, leading experts on endurance sports. These include researchers like Dr. Stephen Seiler, Dr. Bent Ronnestand, Dr. Inigo San Millan, as well as coaches such as Joe Friel, Neal Henderson, Stacy Sims, and Grant Holicky.
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We all understand the purpose of high-intensity intervals and long endurance rides, but is there a value to kitting up and doing a workout that’s both short and easy?
Time at VO2max is driving the recent research on what makes the most effective intervals, but is it a good metric to use? We find out on this week’s Fast Talk podcast.
High-intensity training offers many benefits. It also has limitations. We explore just how much HIT work you need to perform at your best.
Elite cycling coach Dr. Iñigo San Millán explores the goals of training during the early season, base training months and how to best execute that training.
Medical doctor and elite Zwift team manager Jennifer Real talks with us about indoor training and racing, and how to achieve effective recovery including monitoring sleep and taking Vitamin D.
We’re joined by Houshang Amiri, a UCI Elite Coach and Trevor Connor’s coach at the Canadian National Center, to address questions about gran fondo endurance, developing anaerobic power, and how to pace 5×5 interval workouts.
Multiple-time Polka Dot Jersey Holder, Toms Skujins, discusses lactate testing, CGMs, ketone strips, and taking his own blood on the side of the road.
What will the future of endurance sports look like? From training to research to racing, we examine what is to come.
The author of The Time-Crunched Cyclist joins Fast Talk to discuss the science, merits, and limitations of the time-crunched training method.
We’re joined by coach and athlete Julie Young who helps us field questions on how to build an annual training plan, coping with race stress, and overcoming body image issues.
We revisit our favorite Fast Talk conversations from 2021 with a variety of fascinating guests.
Knowing how a race or workout feels—aka RPE—is an extremely important sense for endurance athletes. With the help of top cycling coaches, athletes, and researchers, we explore why RPE may be more important than power, heart rate, and other metrics.
Dr. Stephen Seiler helps us explore the similarities and differences in physiology and training methodologies in running, cycling, cross-country skiing, and rowing.
Coach and pro triathlete Joe Gambles fields questions on triathlon training distribution, running outside versus inside, event prioritization, GI distress, and knee warmers.
Can a simple bike race change you forever? Jana, Ryan, Trevor, and Chris describe the lessons they learned in each of their respective N1 Challenges.
Mentors help athletes by providing guidance, teaching a philosophy, and serving as a confidante. Do you need a mentor to reach your full potential?
We examine the pros and cons of using chronic training load (CTL) as well as the ways it can take your endurance sports training off track.
Nerd Lab! In this episode, Mr. Pickels nerds out with Coach Trevor Connor for a deep dive into new scientific research findings.
Making a mid-season assessment of your training, and effectively modifying it (if needed), takes skill and confidence. We discuss how to do it, particularly when it comes to structure, recovery, limited time, and top-end form.
Can cycling twice in one day produce the same benefits as one long ride? Do “two-a-days” yield adaptations you can’t get any other way? We explore.
With regard to physiology principles, what has and has not changed since the 1980s? We compare the science, equipment, and analysis software, then and now. Which decade wins? Stay tuned.
In an age when athletes often focus on the specifics, we address the importance of focusing on the fundamentals: training, recovery, and functioning gear—the things that will bring you the greatest return for your investment of time, sweat, and energy.