Welcome to the Preparation PHASE

We officially transition phases as we glide into January, with the upcoming PREPARATION PHASE waiting to be tackled. Let’s take this opportunity to run through a brief overview of the upcoming training to set our mindset on the best path. Here is the quick hit list for you. 

Not TOO Much Changes!  

It is important to realize that a shift in phase doesn’t mean a massive shift in overall workload.  This isn’t a black to white transition, rather it is more of a steady transition in emphasis, and you should expect an uptick in work, but nothing daunting.  We will retain a very patient development of technical development, cautious ramp of load, and a transition to drive toward resilience and power.

Your training cycle will now include strong variance from day to day. Make sure you truly grasp the focus of each session, as well as how to execute the critical sessions. When we call for easy, go EASY -- this is an opportunity for you to prepare to truly go hard when we ask.

Artery Workouts Return 

We begin anew with our season-long tracking sessions -- the Artery workouts.  These sessions are not assessments, but simple high-value familiar sessions that progress through each phase and across the focus of the season.  These are the sessions to discuss in our athlete Facebook community and to truly capture metrics and subjective ratings within your plan and/or log. 

• ARTERY SWIM:  The 20s: We retain a theme of 20 intervals throughout the season — with an evolving emphasis aligned with the mission of the phase.
• ARTERY BIKE:  Strong Like Bull:  Intervals of low-cadence riding that progressively ramp in challenge — the build phase is all about strength-endurance development.
• ARTERY RUN:  Hill Technique Run:  We ask you to run HARD uphill, then transfer that form to a longer tempo interval. Over time, your form -- and thus your efficiency and speed -- should improve, and your perceived effort on flatter terrain should decrease.

Live Sessions & Curated Education

• We're committed to bringing more meaningful education to you this year. In addition to monthly Office Hours and Expert Office Hours, you'll also see us begin to use an exciting new educational content feature built directly into Interval, which allows us to deliver important announcements and curated education right to you. You'll also notice that all live events, including Office Hours, will take place via Interval (make sure to RSVP!)
• You can see what's coming up anytime by visiting the Upcoming Events section on our Interval page.

Additional Updates:

• Sunday Swims: With many athletes looking to focus on swimming ahead of race season, we are integrating a completely optional Sunday session as a third opportunity to get into the pool and focus on technique. (Make sure to check out our new Swim Analysis, too!)
• Run Project continues: Those of you that have been with Purple Patch for a while are familiar with our 'run project': a series of short, low-intensity runs throughout your week, designed to help build tissue resilience. If you're looking to improve your run this season, or have been prone to overuse injuries from running in the past, this is a great addition to your training. Look for these sessions at the bottom of some of your swims and bikes, and/or add the short Resilience Runs from the Optional Library into your training calendar on swim days.
• Doubling Down on VODs: We are putting enormous focus and effort into creating fully-coached (and highly entertaining) strength and bike sessions for you that are better than ever -- so don't miss out on them! These are powerful tools for building overall performance, and are packed with more than simple fitness: you'll get coaching on form, technique, terrain management, energy management, and of course... plenty of stories about Mrs. Jenkins and the drunken donkeys. Remember that the VODs can be watched anytime anywhere, from any type of device. The live classes with Matt and highly interactive watch party live sessions with our coaches are also fantastic opportunities to get real-time coaching if you're able to attend.