A viral TikTok video highlighted a generational clash at Thanksgiving, showcasing differing dietary preferences: keto vs. MyPlate. Keto restricts carbs, leading to nutritional gaps and social isolation, with 80% abandoning the diet within two years. Hybrid approaches are emerging for athletes, seeking balance between keto’s fat-burning and MyPlate’s variety.
In 2019, ultrarunner Zach Bitter broke a 100-mile treadmill record using a keto diet, fueling with fats instead of carbs. However, his performance faltered in a 5K, highlighting the keto paradox: effective for endurance but challenging for high-intensity sprints. The article explores the benefits and limitations of keto in athletics.
The Metabolic Heist: How Ketosis Rewires Your Body In 2016, a team of researchers at the University of British Columbia stumbled onto a metabolic loophole. They discovered that ketones—those unassuming molecules churned out during ketosis—could infiltrate cancer cells, hijack their energy systems, and starve tumors of the glucose they desperately craved. The study didn’t declare … Continue reading Ketosis Unlocked: The Physiology and Evidence Supporting the Keto Diet
The start of the cycling race season brings excitement, fresh goals, and a renewed sense of motivation. After months of base training, many riders feel eager to push hard, log big miles, and sharpen their fitness for upcoming events. However, this enthusiasm can sometimes lead to overtraining, setting the stage for early-season burnout. Burnout isn’t … Continue reading Avoiding Early-Season Burnout: Balancing Training, Recovery, and Life
Competitive cycling depends as much on bike handling and race strategy as on power and endurance. Essential skills include cornering, drafting, descending, and sprinting. Practicing these skills can enhance efficiency and confidence, leading to improved race performance. Skill development is crucial for serious cyclists aiming for success beyond just fitness.
Tapering is one of the most misunderstood aspects of race preparation. Many cyclists struggle with it, either fearing they’ll lose fitness by doing too little or feeling restless and tempted to train too much. The reality? A well-structured taper can make the difference between a breakthrough performance and showing up to the start line feeling … Continue reading Tapering for Cyclists: How to Arrive at the Start Line Fresh and Fast
The transition from base training to race-specific fitness is critical for peak performance in endurance athletes. Careful reduction of volume while gradually introducing intensity is essential. Maintaining some long rides boosts endurance, while proper recovery and race simulations enhance strategy and readiness for competition. Balance is key to avoid burnout and ensure effectiveness on race day.
Monitoring progress is vital for endurance athletes to maintain motivation and improve performance. Utilizing tools like training logs, apps, and wearables enables effective tracking. Recognizing signs for routine adjustment, such as plateaus or fatigue, is crucial. Regularly reassessing goals ensures alignment with evolving aspirations, fostering continued engagement in training.
As an endurance athlete, you may be focused primarily on running or cycling, but incorporating strength training into your routine is crucial for enhancing performance and preventing injuries. While endurance training builds cardiovascular fitness, strength training develops the muscles that support your movements, making you a more efficient and powerful athlete. In this post, we’ll … Continue reading Strength Training for Endurance Athletes: Boosting Performance and Preventing Injuries
As an endurance athlete, incorporating cross-training is vital for enhancing performance and preventing injuries. A balanced training schedule should include diverse activities like cycling, strength training, and swimming. Start with 1-2 cross-training sessions weekly, gradually increasing as fitness improves. Listen to your body and adjust training accordingly for optimal health.
