Posts tagged Kevin Smith
Training with DFAa1

In my last article I introduced DFAa1, how it can be used to determine your aerobic threshold, and some of the potential benefits to be gained by using it as a training tool.  Assuming that you are onboard and keen to give it a go, in practical terms, how do you actually do this?  In this article, I’ll be explaining what equipment you need to test your aerobic threshold using this method using an indoor bike trainer, how to effectively do the test, and how to look at and use the results.


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What is DFA a1 and how could it be useful as a training tool?

You may have seen the term DFA a1 popping up on forums or blog posts relating to effective base training, or its use as an alternative to getting tested at a sports laboratory.  This article defines what it actually is, how it works, and the potential benefits of using it to optimise your training.


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Four Reasons to do Base before Intensity

There are as many different ways to create a training plan as there are athletes - at TTH, all athletes are treated as individuals, and plans are generated from the ground up to suit the athlete's goals, lifestyle, and constraints. However, there are some basic principles that have been around for a long time; you probably know the one Coach Kevin is going to discuss: which is to complete a block (or blocks!) of base training before you start to think about increasing the intensity of sessions. It might seem a bit ‘old school’ to some, but in this article, he’ll discuss four reasons why we think it’s still a good idea.

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Should you only use your small chain ring in winter?

“Only use your small chainring in winter”. This is a traditional piece of cycling advice, first suggested to me over 25 years ago. I’d joined my local cycling club and had been going on Sunday rides (usually just me and the ‘old boys’) for the autumn, and now winter was here. The main thing I recall was that at the same time as getting this nugget of wisdom, the frustratingly slow pace (for a 15-year-old) was getting even slower on these long rides. I’m sure the drop in pace was intentional on their part – and looking back, I suspect the advice was delivered with perfect timing.

So is it actually sound advice? Here are a couple of arguments why it might be worth listening to…

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Carbohydrate Periodisation

In this final of three articles, Coach Kevin looks at reintroducing carbohydrates after becoming ‘fat'-adapted’ through a low-carb, high-fat diet. This is pertinent to those who are working in a low-carb environment but want to perform. Carbohydrate periodisation is all about timing your intake to facilitate bouts of higher intensity training or racing. Read on to find out more.

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Ketogenic Diet for Athletes

Coach Kevin recently wrote an article comparing high carbohydrate to high fat (or ketogenic diets). Hopefully, by the end, you had a better idea of whether you should stick with the norm (high carb), or consider trying out a high-fat option. This article is for those who are thinking about giving keto a go – Kevin will explain the potential benefits, downsides, and how to do it right from an athlete’s perspective using both his experiences and science.

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How to pick the right Tri coach for you

You’ve decided that you are going to take the plunge and start using a coach. The structure of a training plan and being accountable to someone to get those sessions done will undoubtedly help you, but how can you make sure that you are getting the most out of the coaching process? Well, we are all individuals, so finding a coach who fits well to you will make the whole process more efficient, and give you a greater chance of being able to get the best out of your training.

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Running injury? Or Running niggle? When should you back off?

On the whole, there are not that many of us who are lucky enough to get through multiple seasons of running training without experiencing some kind of niggle or injury. For triathletes, running is the discipline which induces the most force and impact that we need to experience and control. Typically in the region of 2 to 2.5 times your body weight on each leg, every stride! It is because of this force that it’s worth spending a bit more of your time on conditioning work, and being slightly more conservative when considering training load. Read on to find out how to manage the differences between running injuries and running niggles and when it is wise to back off.

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