Friday, November 30, 2007

Level 2 Coaching Seminar/Clinic

Just signed up for the USA Cycling Level 2 Coaches clinic on January 24-27, 2007 in Colorado Springs, CO. Looking forward to becoming a Level 2 (expert) coach and taking the Power Based Training exam. I already attended two Power Based Training seminars this past November: one given by world renown Power Meter expert Hunter Allen in Virginia Beach, VA and another in Atlanta, GA taught by another world renown Power Meter expert Dr. Andrew Coggan. Hunter and Andy are co-authors of "Training and Racing with a Power Meter". So, I'm ready to take the Power Based Training exam..and becoming an USA Cycling Power Based Training Certified Coach. BTW, if you haven't already picked up a copy of the book, you can buy it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Training-Racing-Power-Meter-Hunter/dp/1931382794

Google Mail and Calendar

I was going to sign-up with Training Peaks Coaching Software but decided not to. After all, why do I need it? Why pay a one time $90 coaching fee, and charging my athletes over $100/yr. to send Training Plans over the internet? Yeah, I know most USA Cycling coaches use Training Peaks Software, but I can do everything with Google Mail and Google Calendar- for FREE. http://www.google.com/ If you don't have Google Mail or Calendar..sign up now!

Calorie Count Plus

Discovered a pretty neat online Calorie Counter program that's free. It's called Calorie Count Plus from about.com Here is the URL: http://caloriecount.about.com/ This is a great program to have to track calories from now until race season starts. Don't want to put too much weight on in the off-season, or all those 150 lb rabbits will blow by you on the hills this coming Spring. :)

Performance Baseline Testing

In addition to Coaching, Todd Wiley and I perform Performance Baseline Testing on the bike. This includes: Maximal Aerobic Power (MAP) Test, Functional Threshold Power (FTP) Test, and Cadence Test.
The MAP Test determines an athletes Max HR, Lactate Threshold Heartrate and Critical Power. Along with the MAP Test, we conduct what is called a "Tmax" Test which identifies the athletes duration at Critical Power. This data is then useful in setting up not only Heart Rate Training Zones, but High Intensity Training (HIT) Intervals as well.
The FTP Test determines the approximate average max power that an athlete can sustain for one hour. Instead of conducting a 1 hr. test, we conduct a 20 min. test and subtract 5% from this value. Power Training Levels are then derived from FTP Test results. Approximate HR Training Levels are also derived.
The Cadence Test determines "optimum" cadence on the bike to confirm whether the athletes self-selected cadence is optimal.
Each of these tests cost $75. The FTP Tests should be run monthly to determine fitness gains and determine whether the athltetes Training Plan is working. There are multiple FTP Test discounts.

Welcome

Welcome to my new Blog. I've created this blog for my Cycling Coaching business. I work for my friend and Professional Triathlete, Todd Wiley at TWiley Sports. Currently, I'm an USA Cycling Level 3 Certified Coach. I'm already signed-up for the Level 2 Coaches Clinic to be held on January 24-27, 2008 in Colorado Springs, CO. After the Clinic, I intend to not only take the Level 2 Coaches exam, but also the Power Based Training Exam. I recently attended the Power Based Training Clinic for coaches in Atlanta, GA. That clinic was taught by world-renown Power expert Dr. Andrew Coggan. I recently attended another Power Based Training Clinic in Virginia Beach, VA taught by another world-renown Power expert- Hunter Allen. Andrew and Hunter are the co-authors of "Training and Racing with a Power Meter". In addition to Coaching, I'm a former Triathlete and current Cat 4/5 racer. For 2008, I think I'm going to concentrate on 10 mi and 40km Time Trials. Time Trials..the Race of Truth. More to come...