bounds especially the long course and ironman distance. Along with this comes the large number of "training plans or systems" that are out there for us to consider using. Then the many age groupers who are looking for that so called "super plan" that will be the ticket for extreme success. This often has many choosing training programs based on what someone else is using or the most current training article that was found online or in print. The process needs to be demystified so that we know what realistic training is really all about. This is part of the paradigm shirt that is required to make the most out of your training.
Throughout my many years of coaching I have developed a very "out of the box" approach in developing/designing training programs. When we look at the average endurance athlete it is usually someone who works more than 8 hours per day, may have a family(along with the obligations that required), and the desire to improve so they can experience continued success while maintaining balance in their day to day lives.
Throughout my many years of coaching I have developed a very "out of the box" approach in developing/designing training programs. When we look at the average endurance athlete it is usually someone who works more than 8 hours per day, may have a family(along with the obligations that required), and the desire to improve so they can experience continued success while maintaining balance in their day to day lives.
My background from a coaching and athlete standpoint: I have a BS in Sports Med and Physical Education. I was a scholarship athlete in running/nordic ski racing. Following college I coached for a number of years at the D-1 level in nordic ski racing. This experience was so vital in the development of my coaching application since most elite nordic coaches
have a really deep understanding of exercise physiology and how to implement specific training parameters to create ongoing positive change in their fitness level. I continued nordic ski racing as well as my regular run training/racing. I started flatwater marathon canoe racing (1983 to 1990) at an elite level and then in 1990 step aside from that and started triathlons with my first ironman that year as well. Today I continue racing triathlons(completed 12 ironmans to date), trail and ultra running races, indoor rowing
races, less frequent canoe races, and other endurance type races that allow me to use my fitness level that was developed from over 34 years of training. I adhere to a fairly strict nutritional plan(which I feel really allows me to recover much more quickly and
avoid being sick much more then I am). Also sport specific strength training is a priority year around. I have found that this focus really allows me to stay on top of my training, avoid injury issues, and most of all counter act the loss of relative strength that we start losing at about the age of 37-40. From there it decreases about 1% each year. So by the
time you are 50 the 1% loss will start to feel like 2-3x that 1% loss. The bottom line - I focus on balance, frequency, consistency, strength and structure of my training that allows me to stay at a high level of fitness year around. Then as a race season approaches a period of time that focuses on more specificity training usually has me ready to race.
I will continue to explore many areas related to training and offer my thoughts/views as well as thoughts from other people in the area of coaching. My clients and people that I work with in some capacity will be allowed to ask question, create a post or comment on any post that I develop. In order to do that you will have to contact me so I can accept your request. Otherwise you will only be allowed to read my blog without the ability to comment to the blog.
Steve Fluet
Steve Fluet
