TRAIN SMARTER FINISH STRONGER

There are two main purposes behind this course. Number one is to provide background information to help our new coaching clients better navigate the coaching platform and understand important key concepts related to the planning process. Number two is to provide an alternative conduit for other individuals to get started training smarter and access training tools to help them do so.

STARTING and COMPLETING a fitness or endurance performance plan can feel intimidating. Believe me, I can relate! Especially as I get older my plans don't always go the way they are supposed to. Little niggles in my joints, a need for longer recovery periods, and irritatingly complicated workouts can lead to my undoing. I know it's important to follow a plan but these days I feel the plan needs to be able to finesse me on to the finish rather that drag me to it.

If you can relate to my story then know that this course was set-up with you in mind. As an exercise physiologist for over 30 years I have tested and coached a wide variety of athletes and non-athletes alike. And as the years have flown by many of my clients have become older as well. However, I still continue to see incredible accomplishments despite this over 50 demographic. This course is an introduction into precision training and also a reflection of what I've learned.

My primary goals for this course are to:

• provide systematic planning tools that can flex with the user (e.g., athlete, aka you)
• educate the participant in a way that won't over complicate the precision process
• encourage everyone to become the athlete they can be

Training to perform at a higher level requires some form of overreaching. When overreaching is performed correctly it tends to follow a 3 steps forward and 1 step back system (systematic training). "Training smarter" is overreaching accompanied by appropriate recovery. Unfortunately, for those who recover slowly (older populations) and/or are injury prone often run into problems due to training plans that for them end up resulting in a 2 step forward and 3 steps back effect. That's right... going backwards!

In this course we simply teach you how to Over-reach without Over-whelming

You will be given a variety of educational materials and tools to help you learn how to successfully participate in state-of-the-art fitness training programs commonly used by elite athletes and backed by the latest science.

Essentially, the goal is to introduce the use of intelligent training methods that emphasize a "process over product" (i.e., PoP). There are no quick or profound change claims here, but rather a self mastering process that delivers well-planned, appropriately progressed, and scientifically based programming.

This program can be used as both a course and a membership program. The course walks you through the essentials of smart and systematic training, while the membership in it offers ongoing access to a wide variety of training blocks/plans and workouts. You will be able to access the training plans and blocks for free throughout the year.

The course benefits extend to all goal-oriented exercisers but are especially relevant for the older endurance-minded individual who desires a bit more challenge to their lifestyle.

Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, this course acts as a conduit into our coaching system providing background information to help our coached clients better navigate the TrainingPeaks platform and learn how to better follow coaching recommendations.

Challenge Events

A method that we use to help you stay engaged with your training program is to encourage you to insert periodic challenge events into your calendar throughout the year. These events can take many forms. For example, adventure trips around activities like; running, walking, cycling, or hiking. Or perhaps a race event like completing or performing in a; triathlon, cycling a century, mountain climb, or even a paddling event. Frankly, it is up to you, and any event that can stimulate focusing on better fitness and health will do.

Systematic Training

In this program we will introduce you to systematic and precision training. In particular this program helps direct you to plans that are often periodized and tend to follow a more polarized approach to training. Put simply, this means you'll learn how to follow a more step-wise and controlled effort approach to moving your fitness forward. This program often prescribes that you only work hard when it's structured (e.g., interval sessions) and only when you are prepared to do so. This structured intensity training will generally be limited to just a couple of days a week at most, while the remainder of your workout time will be centered around activities and exercises that are fairly light or at short moderate effort levels.

Included within this program are sample training plans and training blocks all powered by the TrainingPeaks™ (TP) platform. TP allows for the integration of numerous tracking devices, including; heart rate, GPS, and power monitors. This course will teach you how to use these devices and provide explanations as to their benefits. Competency at tracking and managing your training will help you know whether or not you are following the program appropriately.

Course Requirements

The only requirement for this class is a desire to be physically challenged (not overwhelmed), a willingness to focus on the process (learn and adapt), and a dedication to consistency.