If you had to power your own house to keep the heat on during the chilly winter, nothing would generate power like some good old-fashioned hill running.  The list of reasons why hill running is good for you is a long and full one.  It is efficient, it is safe, it is hard, it automatically corrects your form, and it can facilitate easy, low-stress endurance running to absolute max fitness and speed.    In this article, we will explore the technical side of hill running workouts and make our way to speed. Stay tuned to the end of the article, you’ll find t ..read more

Many time-starved athletes seeking to juggle three sports and supporting habits into a full week of commitments end up stumbling through the journey. They struggle to find their perfect recipe or end up battling chronic setbacks and lingering fatigue. There is a better way to approach this sport. Sustainable performance and improved results are all possible in a time-starved life. Today, I aim to unlock your potential by explaining the training approach we use to tackle the unique sport of triathlon. In this piece, we will cover the following: Common mistakes triathletes of all levels make ..read more

    As we head toward the winter season, the risk of sickness increases, due to the environment, congregating in enclosed spaces, and less time outdoors. A prime focus of the Purple Patch approach is to endurance our athletes to build their fitness and race day performance from a platform of health. In the long term, consistency and improved performance are not possible without a healthy body and mind to support continuous hard work. How can how optimize your training and daily habits to strengthen your immune system and ensure the winter season sets you up for success rather than p ..read more

    If you are chasing improved performance in sport, life, or both, I’ll tell you a secret: Committing to a really challenging goal is a massive performance catalyst. It sounds simple, but it’s true. Taking on something lofty and ambitious drives focus and efficiency. The lessons learned from a journey deliver a great sense of reward and satisfaction. Growth can occur from challenges faced by a ‘forced external factor’, such as demands within your job – but the most powerful growth benefits emerge from something personal and full of passion. Here is another secret. Folks who are su ..read more

    Gustav Iden and Kristian Blummenfelt, also known as “the Norwegian hype train,” were recently interviewed by famed podcaster Rich Roll. During the interview, they talked about optimizing their training, most notably by using science and technology. If you’ve been consuming our content for some time, you will know by now that while I encourage age-groupers to glean lessons from elite triathletes, you should not try and emulate their approach. Today, I will highlight some key takeaways you, as age-groupers, can use to benefit your approach to training and recovery. However, I will ..read more

    What predicts great race performance success for a time-starved athlete juggling a busy life? It isn’t nailing every session in the weeks leading up to race day. There is no magic ramp program that will ensure greatness. Don’t be fooled by spin-doctor coaches proclaiming the critical need for a periodized program. Your life is likely chaotic and unpredictable, and your ultimate success is going to be built off a platform of smart training that integrates into life and allows you to arrive with specific fitness and resilience developed over many months, all without the accumulati ..read more

We might set out at the beginning of the season with the best of intentions. However, more often than not we will run into some obstacles, and injury is one of the most common reasons training is derailed. And, returning to running post-injury is can be very risky physically. It is important to get it right.   Coming back to running post-injury, or after a long absence from the sport or a prolonged illness, there are We might set out at the beginning of the season with the best of intentions. However, more often than not we will run into some obstacles, and injury is one of the most ..read more

    There is no shortage of successful running coaches and training plans in the market. Unfortunately, most amateur running training programs are designed as diluted versions of what works at the elite level. This approach is also why there is no shortage of running injuries. If you review most training plans that aim to prepare you for anything from a 5km to a marathon, the program’s core is built around accumulating running volume. Sure, several weekly runs might include intervals or hill work, but a run program is always just that. Run, run, run. It is no wonder that so many run ..read more

What are the best running shoes for you to meet trained potential with race performance when facing a long-course triathlon, such as IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3? Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet, running shoe, or shoe brand. But luckily, there certainly are some guiding principles to assist in making an intelligent decision for your best performance. Let’s Get To It How You Should Choose Your Running Shoes for Triathlon. What Are The Shoes To Choose For My Triathlon? Running Fundamentals Video How You Should Choose Your Triathlon Running Shoes Know your biggest performance obstacle ..read more

Run faster with walk breaks?  “No way, coach!  That just can’t be!  I have always been told that once you start walking, it’s all over.”  Not so, I say, at least when that walking is strategic and planned.  Let me expand on the concept, as it is an important one in your racing journey. As a pro I swam like a fish, often having a nice lead out of the water. I became a pretty strong rider as well, typically, riding at the front of the race. My run? Well, I ran like a ‘donkey dipped in cement’ relative to the other elite competitors. Most of my races included a constant ..read more