In a previous office hours session we discussed the danger of fragility and self-pity, the need to remain strong in the face of uncertainty, the potential of racing over the coming months, and also highlighted the scenarios ahead for Purple Patch and us as a community.

It is worth a little watch here. 

The area we focus on today is how we approach training over the coming months.  With uncertainty ahead, what are we going to do to make the performance journey of every athlete worthwhile, effective, and fun?   Let’s put it into context:

• We don’t know what is coming to happen over the winter months with Covid-19.  We all hope, for much bigger reasons than Purple Patch, that the virus fades, but must also acknowledge that we face another winter of upheaval.
• The impact of any growth of the virus is also unknown. Will society retreat?  Will we stubbornly ignore the situation?  We don’t know.
• We are living in uncertain times for society -- who knows what lies ahead economically, socially, and more.

This puts us all in a continued strange situation.  On one end of the continuum, we might be emerging and transitioning back toward full racing schedules and a completely normal 2021 racing and training calendar.  At the other end of the continuum, we sneak a race or two in, then go back to our homes and live through another winter of uncertainty with no racing possible in much of the world.  We must be prepared for both scenarios.  As an athlete -- it begins with a few simple elements:

• A commitment to performance
• Accepting the reality, whatever it is, and navigating it.  
• Leaning into community
• Controlling what you can control
• Hit the long-game. This will end, and we keep an eye on the role of sport for mental health, life, and overall performance.
• And finally: pull your socks up!  Certain scenarios will make life tougher, so toughen up and navigate.  It will be worth it.

There is plenty more, but this isn’t the main point of today.  The key question is what we, as the Purple Patch team, plan to do.  There are a few areas that are worth sharing now.  We are already planning, and preparing, for all scenarios on the spectrum outlined above.  The key is that we will be ready.  We plan to be prepared for everything, no matter what it takes.  We want to be your allies through this, no matter what.  This will include:

• Parallel programming:  We are plotting programming that suits a normal fall and winter progression back toward normal life -- a racing preparation program, like any other year.  We are also mapping an athlete development programming that would fit the disappointment of a large disruption from Covid-19.  This will be completely reimagined and designed around the fall and winter months and will be high value.  We will be prepared to navigate either path.

• Expand Squad:  We are in design for expanding Squad programming, with two new versions of a ‘lifestyle’ Squad.  These are performance-focused, but not event-driven options for ‘ride focused’ and ‘running with multisport.' This will be a simplified approach with fully integrated live coaching options throughout. 

• Develop ‘Live Coaching’ options:  On the back of the center opening, we plan to expand our live and video-on-demand (VOD) bidirectional coaching options, in riding, strength, and self-care.  This will be infused through the Squad program.  The mission is to amplify community and live coaching options across time zones for all Purple Patch athletes.

• Use our imaginations: 

I think the key for each of us is to realize that we will collectively need to optimize the situation for whatever happens.  My personal hope is that this email can quickly be put into the trash as irrelevant, as we charge back to a normal roadmap, but I also don’t want to wait and see, then scramble.  From your standpoint, I promise that a little preparation and commitment to stay on a structured journey no matter what happens will be the path to finding the best you.  It will also be the path to set up great racing for when it truly comes back.

Now, let’s get on with Q3!  Have a super week.

Matt