OSTT = Plan + Coach + Team

 

Q:  How do I get the best results from my winter training time?

A:  Focus on speed & power.

 

Your OSTT fitness objectives:

 

Swim - To improve your speed & technique related to a 1000yd time trial.
Bike - To boost your functional threshold power (FTP) output for a 40-minute time trial.
Run - To elevate your Vdot fitness score as measured by a 5km or 10km time trial.

 

Although this all sounds very technical, our approach will be friendly and fun! It doesn't matter if you're a short-course beginner or a long-course veteran. Either way, the off season is the best opportunity window for ALL triathletes to focus on building speed and power. Although traditional periodization models develop endurance before speed, it is possible to invert this training approach with great success. Consider these advantages:

 

1.  Instead of adding only a few weeks of speed training at the peak of your season (when you're already approaching burnout), spend 4 MONTHS getting faster! High quality intensity over 16 weeks yields impressive results.

 

2.  Speed workouts are much shorter and more exciting. In 45-60 minutes, you warm up, hit the main set intervals hard, then cool down. Done. No more mindless movie sessions on the trainer or epic journeys in bad weather.  Learn more about the training plans HERE.

 

3.  Going out in the cold? The faster you go, the HOTTER you get!

 

4. Speed workouts necessitate more recovery. Train through the winter guilt-free knowing that your fitness is still improving in between your key sessions. Storms, holidays, and work commitments are no big deal.

 

5.Motivation to continue training is a lot higher when you have specific goals, coaching, and team accountability. The baseline fitness tests you do in December become your times to beat in the future. Going through a 4pm sugar crash and feel like skipping a workout? Reach out to the team or Coach Matt for a little extra push!  Learn more about Coach & Team dynamics HERE.

 

When you emerge from this approach to off season training in the spring, your endurance will build far more easily. AND you'll get to do all of your endurance training at much higher speeds! Welcome to the fast group! How's that for access to a longer racing format?!