If you are one of the many who sit in the middle of the bell curve of progression, from professional down to newbie, you will have begun more explosive exercises. The strength work has transitioned from pure overload to active and explosive movements -- the conversion from strength to power-based acceleration.  This creates a great connection between the work done in the ‘gym’, and the sessions we do on the bike and run. 

 

Just think about the direct connection as we transfer the strength work into hill-based running and very strong low cadence work on the bike.  It is obvious, but it is worth reflecting on. We should remember that we do strength to:

 

• Anchored a strong core and developed stability.  This assists in posture and form retention.
• Strengthen the auxiliary muscles to prevent loss of efficiency with fatigue in the major muscle groups.
• Develop pure strength.  To heighten the number of muscle fibers into the usable mix and improve resilience.
• Therapeutic.  We maintain tissue health and range of movement.

The best way that this all translates is not only year-round strength work, now progressing to the more explosive focus, but also to engage in proper strength-based endurance activities in your bullseye of endurance training.  Most endurance sports weigh heavily in the endurance focus and strength needs. Speed is important, but still secondary to these main two elements of the sport.  

I bring all this up as a reminder to really engage in thought as you train.  Avoid falling into the trap of thinking about the elements of training as a cluster of mutually exclusive pieces.  This is easy to do when you consider strength and endurance sport, but please remember the association and link between them both, all supportive in your better performance.

I also bring it up as a call to action, for all of you who begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel of winter, and endurance training begins to creep up.  So many of you, despite the ask, will turn their back on strength. Do so at your performance peril.

 

Keep up with it, engage, and remain focused. If you get through the coming two months or so, then its time-burden and stress will lower, and it will take on a more therapeutic focus.  Even when this does occur, it remains a key part of the puzzle.

I was considering how I could end this short piece, wanting to reinforce the strength training piece in the overall puzzle.  Let’s design something for you to enjoy -- and hopefully, you never forget it. Lots of messages in here:

Strengthisimportant.Strengthshouldbeyearround.Ignoreatyourperil.Don’tstopdoingstrength.Wearedeignedtoliftheavythings.Strengthisimportant.Strengthshouldbeyearround.Ignoreatyourperil.Don’tstopdoingstrength.Wearedeignedtoliftheavythings.Strengthisimportant.Strengthshouldbeyearround.Ignoreatyourperil.Don’tstopdoingstrength.Wearedeignedtoliftheavythings.Strengthisimportant.Strengthshouldbeyearround.Ignoreatyourperil.Don’tstopdoingstrength.Wearedeignedtoliftheavythings.Strengthisimportant.Strengthshouldbeyearround.Ignoreatyourperil.Don’tstopdoingstrength.Wearedeignedtoliftheavythings.Strengthisimportant.Strengthshouldbeyearround.Ignoreatyourperil.Don’tstopdoingstrength.Wearedeignedtoliftheavythings.Strengthisimportant.Strengthshouldbeyearround.Ignoreatyourperil.Don’tstopdoingstrength.Wearedeignedtoliftheavythings.Smile!