SERIOUS TRAINING 15
Measure What Matters—The Build Period #1
In last week’s SERIOUS TRAINING, I focused on post-workout analysis, emphasizing the importance of measuring what matters. I used the example of the Efficiency Factor (EF), which is typically the key metric during the Base period, and explained how to use it to guide your training.
The purpose of that discussion was to help make your post-workout analysis more meaningful. EF is an excellent indicator of changes in aerobic endurance—both positive and negative. Tracking it after each of your easy (zones 1 and 2) workouts gives you valuable feedback on your progress.
In this article, I want to apply the same concept to the Build period. But before we dive into that, let’s first shift the focus to how to set a season goal since that is why we measure progress.
To successfully reach a season goal, having a clear plan is essential. Don’t just set a goal and forget about it until event day. In its simplest form, a plan means knowing where you’re headed and how you’ll get there. With a plan in place, training becomes not only more focused but also easier to adjust along the way.
An athlete’s goal should be based, in part, on what they’ve achieved in the past and what they believe is possible for the upcoming season. Once you’ve set a reasonable yet challenging goal, the next step is determining how to measure progress toward it.
Over the years, I’ve worked with athletes to set measurable and time-bound objectives—sub-goals. These objectives must be tracked regularly to gauge progress and determine if your primary goal is still achievable or needs adjustment. The best time to measure this is throughout the Build period.
