Fast Talk

Hey Fast Talk listeners. We're proud to introduce the latest addition to Fast Labs. The Cycling in Alignment podcast is the brainchild of Colby Pearce, U.S. Olympic track cyclist and Hour Record holder. Colby has been a Steve Hogg Certified bike fitter for the past decade, working with elite athletes and teams. The minutiae of cycling and riding technique are just part of the story he shares. Alignment with nature and treating the sport as a practice are a couple of the philosophies that will be discussed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting off our bikes is the last thing most cyclists want to do. That, however, is just what we’re recommending in today’s episode of Fast Talk. We'll hear from former pro and longtime endurance coach Julie Young; RedBull athlete, MTB marathon national champ, and host of The Adventure Stache podcast, Payson McElveen; Petr Vakoc of the Alepcin-Fenix team; and Steve Neal, endurance coach and the co-owner of the Cycling Gym. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a classic, complex, Coach Connor special. We ask a question not many other physiologists are asking: Is an amateur’s zone 2 ride (in a five-zone model) as physiologically taxing as a pro’s zone 2 ride? We’ll discuss what that means in much more detail with today’s main guest Dr. Iñigo San Millan, lead physiologist for the UAE-Emirates WorldTour team. We’ll also hear from physiologists Dr. Stephen Seiler and Jared Berg; Xert creator Armando Mastracci, and Mitchelton-Scott's Brent Boo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have received so many great questions about TSS, or Training Stress Score, that we wanted to look at this popular metric from several angles. Most of today’s episode is devoted to those questions, and stay tuned for a future episode where we’ll take an even closer look at TSS. There isn’t a single answer as to the best use of TSS, or how effective it is for your overall planning. Some people might rely heavily on it, while others see it as a single tool, in a much larger toolbox, to be used spari Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we take a step away from the science, and talk tactics. When we’ll race again no one really knows. So we thought it would a great time to help our listeners at least daydream about racing with this episode. Specifically, we’re discussing how to be aggressive, when to be aggressive, in races. And we’re doing it with none other than the current national road champion, Ruth Winder, who we caught up with many months ago. Despite the halted season, we decided now was the time to release this episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As promised, today in episode 106, we bring in Dr. Stephen Seiler, one of the world’s preeminent exercise physiologists, to discuss how to adjust your training now that the world is in a chronic state of disruption. We dive into our recommendations for reframing goals given your new focus. We’ll touch upon planning the rest of your season based upon those new goals. Finally, we’ll address the immunological repercussions of training, which are particularly important in the present. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we address how to effectively and constructively deal with these emotions: the lessons will, of course, help both with dealing with the uncertainty of a pandemic and with addressing the emotional rollercoaster that is bike racing. Next week, with the help of Dr. Stephen Seiler, exercise physiologist extraordinaire, we’ll discuss ways to properly adjust your training. https://www.calm.com/ https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, in episode 104, we wanted to give you something you’ve come to love about Fast Talk: a discussion on the science of training, and specifically answering your training questions. We take on 3 questions and cover details about respiratory exchange rates in relation to VO2max testing; we also discuss how to most effectively use your bike commute for training purposes; and finally, we address the always important, always challenging question of how to balance life with training. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

These are special times, challenging times, and this is a special edition of Fast Talk. This is the last episode of Fast Talk to be co-released on the VeloNews channel. As a way to say goodbye to our good friends at VeloNews, we invited editor-in-chief Fred Dreier to join us on the show to interview both Trevor and me, about Fast Talk—where we’ve been, where we’re going, and to discuss some of the highlights from our long history together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the world is fixated on the spread of COVID-19, many of us are feeling various amounts of stress & anxiety. These are challenging times. By coincidence, we recorded & planned to release today an episode on performance psychology with Julie Emmerman, specifically on the principles of confidence, resilience, the power of reframing, self-talk, etc. There are immense lessons to be learned in this episode that are applicable both to riding your bike faster, and living your life in a more healthy, mindful way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Training Zones are Ranges for a reason. Today we hear from a vast array of former guests, including: - Colby Pearce, time trialist, coach & bike fitting expert - Dr. Stephen Seiler, one of the world’s leading sports physiologists - Sepp Kuss, pro cyclist with Jumbo-Visma - Toms Skujins, pro cyclist with Trek-Segafredo - Dr. Andy Coggan & Dr. Stephen McGregor, leading exercise physiologists - Hunter Allen, leading cycling coach - Sebastian Webber, lead scientist at INSCYD & el Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today in episode 100, we get nearly two hours of Dr. Seiler. Our conversation is very natural, casual even, but there are so many moments of enlightenment and clarity. We learn about the inception of the polarized method, from the creator himself. We discuss Dr. Seiler’s current research on the all-important aerobic threshold. And we jaw about the future of sport science. Get ready for the wisdom to drop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Swim, bike, run. For our guests today putting these disciplines together represents a good day's work. Our primary guest is Melanie McQuaid, the first person to win the XTERRA world championship 3 times. She is now a triathlon coach in Canada, and she joins us to get specific and scientific about training 3 disciplines. We’re also joined by former pro triathlete Whitney Garcia. Because of her path to the sport, Whitney offers clear insight into the training dos and don’ts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, my guest is Meredith Miller. She may say she's "retired" from racing, but she absolutely has not retired from the sport. She is now the Rapha Cycling Club Chapter Coordinator in Boulder. She also works with USA Cycling as a coach and mentor in cyclocross. As a competitive athlete, she was the U.S. national road champion as well as co-owner and rider for the Noosa cyclocross team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Peter B., thanks for asking us about intervals. We hope our dissection of the dreaded 4x8s is helpful! Enjoy Trevor’s graphs & analysis. Next, David S. brought up a really good point: How do you adequately train for Dirty Kanza, when you live in an area that doesn’t offer the rugged terrain you’ll be faced with on race-day? Finally, Jeremiah B., you know we love to talk about when to train in Zone 1, Zone 2 & so on, in the polarized model. Thanks for your question about cardiac drift. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Case is the former managing editor of VeloNews & co-author of “The Haywire Heart." He spent a good part of his early career as a neuroscientist, from dissecting monkey brains to working with patients with schizophrenia. Whether you're in the throes of training for a multi-stage bike race, or you’re riding a trail with your kids, it’s important to keep cycling fun. We laugh about the charades of youth, & share insights into how we integrate our love of sport into a balanced and fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today our guest is Menachem Brodie. Menachem is the owner of Human Vortex Training & has over a decade of strength training and coaching experience. As you’ll hear in this episode, Menachem has graciously gifted a chapter of his new book, “The Vortex Method,” to Fast Talk listeners. Visit FastLabs.com/fasttalk97 to get your free download. Also coming on the podcast today is Red Bull athlete, and fellow podcaster, Payson McElveen. Check out his pod “The Adventure Stache." Visit Fa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're pulling from the Fast Labs vault to hear from one of our favorite guests, Colby Pearce. When we asked him about pedal stroke technique, Colby gave us this monologue of gold. We are very happy to say that Colby is the newest member of the Fast Labs family. Look for his new show in the coming weeks. We also caught up with reigning U.S. national road race champion, Ruth Winder, of Trek-Segafredo for more on how to train the pedal stroke, on and off the bike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, with the help of two very talented technical gurus, Lennard Zinn and Nick Legan, we explain the complexities of the tire, tire pressure, and how those things lead to changes in comfort, grip, rolling resistance and much more. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @RealFastLabs. As always, we love your feedback. Email us at [email protected] or call 719-800-2112 and leave us a voicemail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guess which one of our all-knowing hosts is an expert on Baby Yoda, and who hadn’t even heard of him until this recording? Or, more importantly, what is a palindrome? Welcome to our 2nd bonus episode of Fast Talk where Chris and Coach Connor are once again tackling your important questions! First is a question about training while fasting, then some goal-setting analysis, and finally some more discussion on the polarized approach. Submit your question: call 719-800-2112 or email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re joined by Brent Bookwalter of the Mitchelton-Scott WorldTour team, a man of both wisdom and humility, for a full conversation on balancing life and sport. We don’t all deal with the issues related to pro cyclists’ in our own lives, there are common themes about self-care, and working to keep your passions alive that we can all relate to. Today we also spoke to coach Katie Compton, and two of our favorite coaches and soon-to-be Fast Labs podcast hosts, Grant Holicky & Colby Pearce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to this bonus episode of Fast Talk. These new episodes, which we’ll publish every other week, will run shorter than our regular episodes, and they’ll be geared toward answering your questions. All in all, they’ll contain the same great content you’ve come to expect from Fast Labs. If you have a question, give us a call at 719-800-2112 and a voicemail. If we can hear you loud and clear, we may include the recording in the show. As always, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we're here to remind you that successful training is not determined by data and statics 100% of the time. Our main guest is former professional cyclist turned coach Julie Young, whose road racing career stretched over a decade with teams including Saturn and Timex. She continues to race and is currently part of the talented team behind the Kaiser Permanente Sports Medicine Endurance Lab in California. We’re also joined by Coach Steve Neal, as well as Trek-Segaf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Base training has traditionally been all about long, slow rides, but we've found some innovative approaches to improving training this time of year. Today, we’re discussing how best to deal with Base Season training challenges including poor weather and limited daylight. Our primary guests today are Andrew Randell and Steve Neal, the owners of Toronto's The Cycling Gym, joined by one of their athletes, Jeremiah Groen. We’ll also hear from pro roadie Erica Clevenger, as well as Lennard Zinn & Bruce Bir Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s show is about physiological testing. The result of a good test is a robust set of data specific to you, which can help you understand things like your true training zones & how well you can get up tough mountain climbs. Our guest is Jared Berg, exercise physiologist at the University of Colorado Sports Medicine & Performance Center. 2020 will be the year when Fast Labs expands beyond Fast Talk! Expect more from Colby Pearce & Grant Holicky soon. Check out www.FastLabs.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we're racing only three or four times a year, do we still need to periodize our season? Can we be on form all year round? Today we'll dive into planning a season with limited racing, asking the questions: What can we learn from the pros? What can we not take from pros? Then we'll look at several scenarios, including having four or five races in a short time frame, four or five races that are spread out, a single focus event, and the non-racer who just likes to smash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fast Talk, we’re going to discuss four of the most common overuse and imbalance injuries in cyclists and how to address them with off-the-bike work and proper bike fit. Patellar tendinitis, pelvic obliquity, back pain, and thoracic kyphosis, are fancy terms that our today's guest, Jess Elliott, the owner of Tag Performance and University of Denver faculty member in Human Performance and Sports, will help you understand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve received so many intriguing questions from our listeners, it was time to devote an entire episode to answering them. We appreciate the feedback, and generate many future podcast topics from your questions, so please keep them coming. You can always email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fast Talk, we're going to cover: • Basic structure of a research study • Concepts needed to understand scientific research • Understanding scientific methods • Preferences among researchers • A study’s endpoints • The concept of the false null hypothesis Our primary guests are Dr. Jim Peterman, a professor of exercise physiology at Ball State University & Nate Wilson, a former elite U23 racer & head coach at Catalyst Coaching. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sit down with George Bennett of the Jumbo-Visma WorldTour team to get a better understanding of how pros at the highest level of the sport train, and what amateurs can learn from those methods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Fast talk we’re diving into nutritional training: 1. Scientific approach to figuring out carb needs 2. G.I. distress 3. Race nutrition 4. Why most people can only absorb 60g of carbs/hour 5. Best mix of carbs to improve absorption 6. Dedicating time every week to training your gut 7. Potential health concerns, microbiome, and l-glutamine We're joined by Dr. Asker Jeukendrup, as well as Katie Compton, Colby Pearce & Ryan Kohler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a critical distinction between adaptation and recovery. In fact, sometimes what helps one, hurts the other. Recovery is about doing what you can so the legs are ready for your next workout. Adaptation is about the body repairing the damage caused by training—if the training provides enough stress, it will repair the system to come back stronger. But what’s good for that repair process may have you feeling less than perfect on the bike the next day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a long time coming, but Fast Talk is finally taking on cyclocross! Today on the pod: - Why cyclocross is so unique to the cycling world - What assets you need to be a good ‘cross rider - The short race season in cyclocross - Unique training side of cyclocross - ‘cross races - strategy, course inspection, & selecting gear Our primary guests today are Grant Holicky, one of his athletes Maxx Chance, Ellen Noble, and Katie Compton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Complex training prescriptions are becoming increasingly popular. In this episode, we ask the question: Does it really need to be that complex? What do you gain from this complexity? With the help of seven different experts — coaches, scientists, and athletes — we’re going to try to make three key points: 1) human physiology is very complex; 2) properly executing intervals is very difficult; 3) but, the prescription should be simple. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss how to use energy most effectively. We’ll define energy and discuss the pros and cons of trying to measure it. We’ll dive into all the ways you can unnecessarily waste energy including responding to every move, riding in the washing machine, poor positioning, and riding on the front for no reason. After we talk about all the ways you can waste energy, we’ll flip it around and talk about ways to save energy! Our guests today are Colby Pearce, Sepp Kuss, and Bruce Bird. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For three weeks every July we watch the best bike racers in the world tear themselves apart for four-plus hours per day at the Tour de France. Could we ever do something like that? What exactly does it take to race the Tour — physiologically, mentally, spiritually? Each day these phenomenal athletes race an event that would shatter most of us in just one day. It’s a feat that’s hard to comprehend, so today we’ll try to give a sense of what it takes to race the Tour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all make mistakes. No one trains and races perfectly, which can be frustrating when so often those mistakes are made out of honest effort and a desire to perform at our best. In episode 77, we’re going to talk about some of the most common mistakes that we see in athletes — even pros. And we’re going to hear from a variety of athletes, coaches, and experts who have been around the block a few times. They know all the mistakes, but more importantly they know what to do about them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Effective training is a balance between stressing our systems and recovery. While training does damage, it’s in recovery that we repair and get stronger. We dive into the recovery side of the training-recovery concept and talk about, first, the fundamental principle of training called super-compensation. Then, how to know when the balance between training and recovery goes too far. Then we’ll discuss ways of measuring recovery, including resting heart rate and heart rate variability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 75, we’re joined by Dr. Stephen Seiler, one of the top exercise physiologists working today. Dr. Seiler has talked with us previously about the polarized, or 80/20, model of endurance training. He’s shared his thoughts on zone models, and he’s helped us understand how slow your “slow” should be. You’ve sent us more questions about those two episodes than any other episodes we’ve done, but the most common question has been “when’s part 3?” Well, this is that episode on the othe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 74, we speak with Dr. Stacy Sims about the numerous and complex differences between male and female physiology, and the significant impact that has on women's training and performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 73, we talk about the important balance between our aerobic and glycolytic energy systems and why they may require a little give and take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 72, we discuss one of the most ubiquitous terms in cycling: training zones. We dive into their strengths and weaknesses, standards, and limitations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 71, we discuss the training, experience, and challenge of one-day and multi-day gran fondos — everything you need to know to crush or simply complete your next event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The days when training software simply showed a power & heart rate curve are a distant memory. Whether you use TrainingPeaks, Golden Cheetah, or some other software, you’ll know that nowadays basic data is mined to reveal a wealth of information about your physiology, strengths, and training. All software packages have moved beyond FTP as the sole parameter used to define an athlete, which we get into today. Our primary guest is Armando Mastracci, joined by Colby Pearce, Brent Bookwalter & Paulo Saldanha. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is functional training? And why this buzz phrase is often misunderstood, and why cycling seems to be way behind the curve. We get into the two main benefits of functional work: improving your neuromuscular performance on the bike and preventing injury. Next, we discuss how to evaluate functional fitness and why you should consider having the help of an expert. Our primary guest today is Menachem Brodie, joined later by Jess Elliot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we're playing the humble role of science communicators, to make sure we get the message right. We’ve also sifted through hours of Fast Talk recordings with our many distinguished guests to bring context to what we hope is a simplified, unified message about the fundamental principles of these previous shows: there are just three types of rides. We’ll hear several times from experts Dr. Stephen Seiler, Dr. John Hawley, Grant Holicky, and finally Joe Friel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we take a close look at physiological testing and we address ways it can have a significant impact on how you train, and how quickly you progress. First, we define FTP, and why it may not be the be-all-end-all of training. If you have an FTP of 350 watts, you should be proud. We talk also about VO2max testing and most importantly, how to apply all of these tests to improve your ride. Our primary guest today is physiologist Sebastian Weber, Armando Mastracci, Neal Henderson, and Rebecca Rusch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Periodization is, in many ways, the pinnacle of advanced training. Taking the steps to periodize graduates you to a professional approach, one with purpose, long-term vision &organized planning Today we’ll discuss: - What exactly is periodization? - The history of periodization. - Reverse periodization. - Non-linear forms of periodization - Tips on how to pick a periodization strategy that’s right for you Our guest is coach Joe Friel, author of "The Cyclists Training Bible." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 65, we discuss our concerns with supplements, then focus on some foods with proven benefits. Our primary guest is Ryan Kohler, manager of the University of Colorado Sports Medicine & Performance Center. We also talk with coach Joe Friel, author of "The Cyclists Training Bible." Finally, we hear from endurance mountain biker Rebecca Rusch and Apex Coaching owner Neal Henderson. They’ll each give us their thoughts on supplements and a few things they’ve found that work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 64, bronze medalist Mike Woods and his teammate Rob Britton share their successes at the Innsbruck world championships. We also got to catch up with Mike's coach Paulo Saldahna. Despite his remarkable coaching success, Paulo points out that coaching is only one of the many hats he wears. He is also the owner of the successful indoor training company PowerWatts and is an endurance sport physiologist by trade in Montreal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices