Brad goes down memory lane to discuss the progression of his training schedule during his career on the pro triathlon circuit (this was meant to be an Interval show but Brad got on a roll and produced a substantial length program that gives you an excellent overview of the folly of adhering to regimented schedules and the benefits of being more intuitive).

 

After struggling to adhere to a nice, pretty, balanced workout schedule each week for the early years of his professional career, Brad and his coach Mark Sisson strategized to loosen up the decision making strategies a bit to promote a more intuitive and fluid approach. At first, Brad tried stacking two hard days in a row (long hilly bike ride and a long, hard hilly run), following by several days of rest/easy training, to better promote recovery and take advantage of the stress hormone buzz that allows you to perform great athletic feats when you are in sympathetic dominant state. 

 

Brad then describes the ultimate progression of the training program to reject the concept of weekly schedules entirely and just strategize workouts to address competitive weaknesses and point for competitive events in the future. Spinning out of the regimented schedule approach in 1991 allowed Brad to make his hard workouts harder, rest and recovery more effectively, and achieve performance breakthroughs and win two US national championships and reach #3 world-ranking in 1991. It’s all about stressing the body at the right times with key workouts and allowing rest and recovery to always be of the utmost importance.