performance training systems

Coach Eric helps you draft an appropriate approach to your first race of the season in his article "Training in Training Races." Coach Cheryl covers the devil in the details - is your gear ready to go - in her training tip "Gearing Up." Whether it's your first tri of the year or your first race period, be sure to check out these two articles so you don't miss a step (or the start!) on the big day. Good luck!

- Coach P

Training in Training Races
by Eric Kenney

It’s that time of year when we all start to race. For many of us, some of these first races are non-priority races or “training races”. There are a few different ideas as to what a training race is and how it should be approached. Some people think that it just means that you don’t taper and “train through it”, giving them a nice excuse for not doing well. Read More >>

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Gearing Up
- by Cheryl Bayuk

Ah, New England, a great place to live but a tricky place to train and race in. Long winter seasons find most of your gear sitting idle in the garage or basement. Meanwhile triathlon websites and catalogs get plenty of use as you daydream about the newest gear, until you snap back to reality when paying monthly bills. Read More >>

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Half Marathon Fine Tuning

Ask A Tri Coach is a free service run by PTS coaches. Athletes from all around the world are welcome to submit their training related questions; each week one or more questions is answered on the site. Subscribe to get weekly updates!

Q:“I am a new runner and am training for the ½ marathon. I have been training since Feb, and have over time begun to build my endurance. I have been training exclusively on a treadmill (weather & 14month old) limit my ability to get outside. Any advice for me. I managed to run 8 miles in 65 minutes, and realize that more than likely will not keep that pace come race day. I run 3-4 days a week, with one long run on Sat or Sun. can you give me any pointers for a beginner, I am nervous about finishing the race, never mind with a decent time. Also any advice on clothing on race day…“

Read the answer >>

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Time Management: The Food Shop

10Hours A Week is a free resource for self-coached triathletes. The content - and training approach - is built around the understanding that we all have limited time to train. Tune in for tips on how to manage your time for optimal performance on race day!

About six months ago I made a shift in my food habits. Not the eating part of it (although that could use some adjusting), but the hunting/gathering part of it. I finally broke down and signed up for the Peapod grocery delivery service. It took me a while to get over the threshold for signing up, but once I did, I have never looked back. In fact, every time I go to the supermarket now, and wait in long lines or watch another neophyte bungle the self-checkout aisle, I love my Peapod even more. Read More >>

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Client of the Month - Dr. Paul Weber

Coach: Alistair McCrann

Town/State: Rumson, NJ

Paul has been racing under my direction since 2001 and has been improving every step of the way. Paul has completed over 10 Ironman Triathlons and 30 marathons since beginning his endurance sport career in the early 1990’s. READ MORE >>

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Vegetable Beef Barley Soup

Ingredients:

½ pound extra-lean ground beef
½ cup chopped onion
6 cups beef broth (99% fat free)
¾ cup barley
28 ounce can crushed Italian tomatoes
8 ounces tomato sauce
10 ounce box frozen peas and carrots
10 ounce box frozen succotash (corn and lima beans)
10 ounce box frozen green beans
Salt and Pepper; to taste

Preparation:

In a large pot brown the ground beef and onion. When meat is cooked through, drain the grease off and return beef and onion mixture to the pot. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well. Simmer soup over medium low heat for several hours to blend the flavors.

Makes about 4 quarts