Fifty Plus (50+) - Joe Friel Tweets

I follow Joe Friel, among others, on Twitter. Lately, he has tweeted some interesting one liners that I thought I would compile and share a few of the latest ones. He is jfriel on Twitter.

Joe is a cycling coach and author of the Cyclist's Training Bible.

1. Consistent and moderate training are the keys to success in endurance sport.

2. To run or climb faster remove excess weight, increase muscular power, or, preferably, both. Hard to be fast dragging an anchor.

3. 1 pound of excess fat costs roughly 1.5 watts on a climb and 2 seconds per mile when running a 10k.

4. The fastest way to raise your VO2max is to lose excess weight.

5. In order to find your limits, it is sometimes necessary to exceed them. But rarely.

6. There are 3 components of fitness: VO2max, threshold as a % of VO2max, and movement economy. Focus on these to excel.

7. Movement skill is the most neglected aspect of fitness for endurance athletes. Most are sloppy and waste energy.

8. It isn't how many miles, it's what you do with the miles. Discussing this with athlete. Comes up frequently. Easy to measure miles, I guess.

9. Training is about power. Racing is about speed.

10. The difference between winning and losing is that you learn something after a loss.

Thanks for sharing - since I don't participate in Tweeter I do not see this stuff.

I am sure you read the articles in Bicycling's lates issue about weight loss and anorexia in cyclists. One can over do the weight loss thing. Although planning another assault on the hills tonight I know I will be regreting not trying harder to loose a little more weight... That regret only lasts a few hours though :D

I guess I should skip the donuts today.

Well crap.

I guess I should skip the donuts today.

Well crap.

If you sprinted to the donuts with good form and got some Z5 HR time to boost the VO2 max, you may finish the day netural.

If you sprinted to the donuts with good form and got some Z5 HR time to boost the VO2 max, you may finish the day netural.

I like the way this guy keeps training goals in perspective!:D

Good stuff. I think the two on endurance riding (1 and 7) are great points.

Thanks. I needed a nap. Worked almost as well as reading his books. ;)

While they are no doubt great for many, his books and his approach are everything I don't want from bicycling. Too much like a job.

Thanks. I needed a nap. Worked almost as well as reading his books. ;)

While they are no doubt great for many, his books and his approach are everything I don't want from bicycling. Too much like a job.

I prepared this just for you. My feelings are hurt.:cry:

;););)

Thanks. I needed a nap. Worked almost as well as reading his books. ;)



Anyone who dozes off looking at Twitter feeds has one heck of a case of ADD and/or narcolepsy. Would you consider Adderal or Provigil?

But I agree with you. Being told that I could climb hills better if I layed off the Twinkies is like telling a smoker they'd breathe better if they stopped smoking. Who needs that kind of advice, anyway?

Thanks. I needed a nap. Worked almost as well as reading his books. ;)

While they are no doubt great for many, his books and his approach are everything I don't want from bicycling. Too much like a job.

I just read his Cycling Past 50 and I must say I agree with you. There isn't much evidence of the joy of cycling in there anywhere. (Good primer of basic physiology though, for when you need to brush up.)

But I agree with you. Being told that I could climb hills better if I layed off the Twinkies is like telling a smoker they'd breathe better if they stopped smoking. Who needs that kind of advice, anyway?

Most of us need reminded from time to time of the obvious.