Articles and Resources

Training, nutrition, and mindset information based on science and experience to help support you in your cycling, triathlon, and running goals.

Training for a 100-Mile Gravel Race and Making Your Training Plan
Training Karen Talley Mead Training Karen Talley Mead

Training for a 100-Mile Gravel Race and Making Your Training Plan

Training for a 100 or more mile gravel race can be both daunting and exciting, and anyone can do it—as long as you are willing to put in the effort. While that may be a significant effort, you can still get there even if you have limited time to train—especially if you have a good training plan. Learn how to prepare to complete a 100 mile gravel race. Select a training plan or create your own.

Read More
Beginners Guide to Gravel Racing  and 100K Training Plan
Training Karen Talley Mead Training Karen Talley Mead

Beginners Guide to Gravel Racing and 100K Training Plan

This plan is designed to prepare you to complete a 100k gravel race. This plan is suitable for beginners and also experienced riders who are new to structured training. The workouts progress in intensity and duration throughout the plan to prepare you for race day. This plan is designed to make the most of your time spent riding through structured weekday workouts and a longer weekend endurance ride.

Read More
Cycling Training Zones for Power, Heart Rate, and Perceived Effort
Training Karen Talley Mead Training Karen Talley Mead

Cycling Training Zones for Power, Heart Rate, and Perceived Effort

Whether you are training based on power, perceived exertion, or heart rate, you should be targeting different cycling training zones to achieve specific adaptations per your training plan. Races are not typically spent in a single zone, but focusing on specific zones for cycling training is effective because it allows you to maximize efficiency and track your progress.

Read More
Getting Started with Power-Based Training
Training Karen Talley Mead Training Karen Talley Mead

Getting Started with Power-Based Training

Training with power allows you to track fitness changes, identify weaknesses, and use quantifiable data to determine if your training is effective. This can all allow you to be precise and efficient with your training. For these reasons, training with a power meter or a smart trainer is a great way to get faster–but only if you use it right. Learn a few basics to make the most of your power meter.

Read More
5 Ways to Improve Cycling Performance
Training Karen Talley Mead Training Karen Talley Mead

5 Ways to Improve Cycling Performance

There are many things you can do to improve cycling performance, but some have the potential for more significant gains than others. Learn about the items have the opportunity for big gains in your cycling performance—most people are probably overlooking at least one.

Read More
How to Complete a Power Test
Training Karen Talley Mead Training Karen Talley Mead

How to Complete a Power Test

If you are training with a power meter, there are a few steps you will need to take to be able to use your data. Most importantly, a power test. Learn about three common methods for power testing: the 8-minute power test, and 20-minute power test, and the ramp test.

Read More