Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling

Dave Schell
  • 5.0 (17)
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Unlock your endurance potential. The Training Babble Podcast takes a deep dive into the strategy and science behind training for off-road cycling and gravel racing. Host Dave Schell brings over 20 years of coaching and racing experience, including as former Director of Education at TrainingPeaks. Each episode features interviews with experts and insiders to inform your training on topics like physiology, nutrition, mental toughness, equipment selection, and race tactics. Expect an informative yet lighthearted conversation filled with practical tips to up your performance. Special guests from across the cycling world join to share their hard-earned wisdom. Whether you're an amateur looking to reach new heights or a coach wanting to refine your craft, The Training Babble Podcast offers a master-class in endurance training. Challenging conventional methods, busting myths, and digging into the latest research, this show equips you with the knowledge to train smarter and unlock your full athletic potential. Subscribe to the Training Babble Podcast and join our community of passionate off-road cyclists. With tips, stories, and advice from leading figures in gravel and mountain biking, we're here to support your journey to peak performance and beyond. Elevate your off-road cycling experience with us.

  1. Sweet Spot Ain't That Sweet with Matti Rowe

    1D AGO

    Sweet Spot Ain't That Sweet with Matti Rowe

    Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text!  Summary In this episode of Training Babble Dave is joined by Matti from Gravel God Cycling to take a hard look at sweet spot training, where it came from, why it became so popular, and whether it actually delivers on its promises. They cover the origin story behind the zone, why it appeals to the lizard brain in all of us, how inflated FTP numbers make the problem worse, and what sweet spot training is actually doing to most athletes physiologically. They also get into the TSS obsession it tends to create, the gray zone it traps athletes in, and where it does legitimately belong in a training plan. Plus Mattie debuts a new zone!  Key takeaways: Sweet spot wasn't born from research. It was a napkin sketch that became a marketing phenomenon.Most athletes are training at threshold when they think they're doing sweet spot, because their FTP is inflated and their legs aren't fresh.The TSS model rewards sweet spot, which is exactly the problem. Accumulating training stress is not the same as getting faster.The gray zone is real. Too hard to recover from, not hard enough to drive adaptation. Power quietly drops while RPE stays the same.If you've been sweet spotting for months and you're stuck, the answer is probably less, not more.It does have a place, specifically as race-specific work when the event demands that intensity. The problem is making it your default.Gravel God Cycling Slow Mid 38s - Substack Looking for coaching for the 2026 season? Send me a note at dave@kaizenendurance.coach or find me on instagram @kaizenendurance Leave a rating and review and share with your fellow athletes. Thanks for listening!

    57 min
  2. How to Develop Body Awareness for Better Performance

    APR 8

    How to Develop Body Awareness for Better Performance

    Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Summary In this episode, Coach Dave Schell discusses the over-reliance on data and technology in training, emphasizing the importance of listening to your body and developing intuitive training skills. He shares personal experiences and practical tips for balancing technology use with body awareness to improve athletic performance.  Sound  Bites "The over-reliance on data is the real problem" "Listen to your body, it’s always giving feedback" "Internalize what certain efforts feels like" Looking for coaching for the 2026 season? Send me a note at dave@kaizenendurance.coach or find me on instagram @kaizenendurance Leave a rating and review and share with your fellow athletes. Thanks for listening!

    19 min
  3. "Easy" Riding for Maximal Training Load and Optimal Adaptation with Marinus Peteren

    MAR 25

    "Easy" Riding for Maximal Training Load and Optimal Adaptation with Marinus Peteren

    Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Summary In this episode, Marinus Petersen shares his insights on training load, lactate thresholds, and effective training strategies for endurance athletes. Discover how to optimize your training by understanding physiological markers like LT1 and LT2, and learn practical tips for measuring and applying these concepts to improve performance. Key  topics Understanding LT1 and LT2 in endurance trainingPractical methods to measure and apply lactate thresholdsThe importance of training below LT1 for optimal adaptationUsing kilojoules as a measure of training stressThe interaction of physiological systems in endurance performance Resources Kilowatt Coaching Podcast - https://spotify.com/kilowattcoaching Marinus Petersen's YouTube Channel - https://youtube.com/marinuspetersen Instagram - Kilowatt Coaching - https://instagram.com/kilowattcoaching Stephen Seiler Paper - https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2007/08000/autonomic_recovery_after_exercise_in_trained.20.aspx Guest Links X Instagram Looking for coaching for the 2026 season? Send me a note at dave@kaizenendurance.coach or find me on instagram @kaizenendurance Leave a rating and review and share with your fellow athletes. Thanks for listening!

    1h 10m
  4. Unlocking Elite Performance, the Power of Patience, and Long Term Athlete Development with Joel Filliol

    MAR 11

    Unlocking Elite Performance, the Power of Patience, and Long Term Athlete Development with Joel Filliol

    Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Summary In this episode of the Training Bible podcast, host Dave Schell interviews world-class triathlon coach Joel Filliol. They discuss Filliol's coaching philosophy, the importance of periodization, managing mental load in athletes, and the balance between technology and traditional coaching methods. Filliol emphasizes the significance of consistency in training, the psychological aspects of performance, and the evolving landscape of nutrition and metabolic flexibility in endurance sports. The conversation also touches on the influence of social media on training practices and the need for a long-term perspective in athlete development. Takeaways Consistency is the biggest secret to success.Training is a faith-based exercise.Easy's gotta be easy.The psychological cost of training is significant.We need to think multi-year in athlete development.Don't always do what the elites are doing.The role of the coach is to slow athletes down.We need more than just energy usage in training.Training is not just about how many calories you burn.The importance of periodization in training cannot be overstated. The Real Coaching Podcast JF Triathlon Instagram SubStack Looking for coaching for the 2026 season? Send me a note at dave@kaizenendurance.coach or find me on instagram @kaizenendurance Leave a rating and review and share with your fellow athletes. Thanks for listening!

    1h 17m
  5. Practical Body Comp Tips for Busy Athletes with Alex Larson

    FEB 25

    Practical Body Comp Tips for Busy Athletes with Alex Larson

    Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Summary In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Schell and nutrition expert Alex Larson discuss the evolution of fueling strategies for endurance athletes, particularly in the context of transitioning from triathlon to gravel racing. They emphasize the importance of proper nutrition for performance, body composition, and overall well-being. The conversation covers practical tips for busy athletes, the significance of daily nutrition, and the signs of under-fueling. Alex shares insights on building sustainable nutrition habits and the need for athletes to be proactive about their fueling strategies to enhance their performance and quality of life. Takeaways Fueling strategies have evolved significantly over the years.Proper nutrition is crucial for endurance athletes' performance.Transitioning from triathlon to gravel racing requires different fueling approaches.Daily nutrition impacts recovery and performance.Athletes should not diet during workouts; fueling is essential.Front-loading nutrition can help maintain energy levels throughout the day.Signs of under-fueling include chronic fatigue and intense hunger.Busy athletes can benefit from convenience foods that meet nutritional needs.Building sustainable habits is more effective than drastic changes.Nutrition should enhance life, not just focus on performance.Alex Larson Nutrition The Endurance Eats Podcast The Creatine EpisodeThe Protein EpisodeMore on Body CompThe Gram Looking for coaching for the 2026 season? Send me a note at dave@kaizenendurance.coach or find me on instagram @kaizenendurance Leave a rating and review and share with your fellow athletes. Thanks for listening!

    1h 2m
  6. Sweat Testing Made Easy with H Drop Wearable Hydration Sensor

    FEB 4

    Sweat Testing Made Easy with H Drop Wearable Hydration Sensor

    Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Summary In this conversation, Adria from HDrop discusses the origins and development of their innovative hydration monitoring device. The discussion covers the accuracy of the device, its market position against competitors, and how athletes can utilize the data for effective hydration strategies. Adria also shares insights on the impact of diet on sodium loss, the importance of real-time hydration zones, and future plans for HDrop's expansion and updates. Takeaways Adria's journey began with a personal need for hydration during sports.The HDrop device was developed to be reusable and subscription-free.The first generation of HDrop was launched via Kickstarter in 2021.The device has achieved a 92% accuracy in measuring sweat loss.Hydration strategies should aim to replenish 70-80% of sweat losses.Real-time hydration zones help athletes adjust their intake during exercise.Diet impacts sodium loss, with genetics playing a significant role.Testing under race conditions is crucial for building hydration plans.Calibration can improve the accuracy of sweat rate measurements.Future updates will enhance the app's functionality and user experience. H Drop Get your own Looking for coaching for the 2026 season? Send me a note at dave@kaizenendurance.coach or find me on instagram @kaizenendurance Leave a rating and review and share with your fellow athletes. Thanks for listening!

    47 min
  7. Winter Strength Training for Cyclists with Jen Kates

    JAN 7

    Winter Strength Training for Cyclists with Jen Kates

    Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Summary In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, Coach Dave Schell speaks with Jen Kates, a strength and cycling coach, about the importance of strength training for cyclists. They discuss how to simplify strength training, key movement patterns, the significance of core strength, and effective strategies for training. Jen shares her background in strength training, seasonal training considerations, and how to build power and resilience. They also touch on home gym essentials, common mistakes in strength training, and the importance of motivation and goal-setting for athletes. Takeaways Strength training can be simplified for cyclists.Durability and resilience are crucial for off-road cyclists.Movement snacks can be effective for busy schedules.Focus on six key movement patterns for strength training.Core strength includes more than just abs.Proper rest periods are essential for effective training.Form is critical to prevent injuries during strength training.Home gym essentials can be minimal yet effective.Setting clear goals can enhance motivation.Strength training contributes to overall health and functionality. Shift Human Performance Looking for coaching for the 2026 season? Send me a note at dave@kaizenendurance.coach or find me on instagram @kaizenendurance Leave a rating and review and share with your fellow athletes. Thanks for listening!

    1h 1m
  8. The Athletes' Guide to Training with a Continuous Glucose Monitor with Hunter Allen

    12/17/2025

    The Athletes' Guide to Training with a Continuous Glucose Monitor with Hunter Allen

    Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Summary In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Schell interviews Hunter Allen, a leading expert in the field of athletic performance and nutrition. They discuss the evolution of training tools from power meters to Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and how these devices can provide athletes with critical insights into their glucose levels and overall performance. Hunter shares his journey of experimenting with CGMs, the variability of glucose responses among athletes, and the importance of nutrition in managing these levels. The conversation also gets into the role of insulin, strategies for optimizing glucose during workouts, and how athletes can use CGMs for weight management and performance enhancement. Takeaways Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) provides valuable insights for athletes.Understanding glucose variability is crucial for performance.Nutrition significantly impacts glucose levels during workouts.Athletes can be categorized as fast, medium, or slow responders to glucose intake.Experimentation with glucose responses can enhance training strategies.Choosing the right CGM is essential for accurate readings.Real-time glucose monitoring can optimize race performance.Insulin plays a key role in glucose management and energy utilization.Managing glucose spikes is important for overall health and performance.CGMs can assist in weight management by tracking glucose responses. Training and Competing with a CGM

    59 min
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About

Unlock your endurance potential. The Training Babble Podcast takes a deep dive into the strategy and science behind training for off-road cycling and gravel racing. Host Dave Schell brings over 20 years of coaching and racing experience, including as former Director of Education at TrainingPeaks. Each episode features interviews with experts and insiders to inform your training on topics like physiology, nutrition, mental toughness, equipment selection, and race tactics. Expect an informative yet lighthearted conversation filled with practical tips to up your performance. Special guests from across the cycling world join to share their hard-earned wisdom. Whether you're an amateur looking to reach new heights or a coach wanting to refine your craft, The Training Babble Podcast offers a master-class in endurance training. Challenging conventional methods, busting myths, and digging into the latest research, this show equips you with the knowledge to train smarter and unlock your full athletic potential. Subscribe to the Training Babble Podcast and join our community of passionate off-road cyclists. With tips, stories, and advice from leading figures in gravel and mountain biking, we're here to support your journey to peak performance and beyond. Elevate your off-road cycling experience with us.

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