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When Science Wins, Does Sport Lose?
Striking a Balance
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
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ENGINE
We are going to mix things up a bit this week, varying modalities, time frames and distances designed to push your aerobic capacity.
GYMNASTICS
To kick things off, we will spend some time on Pull-ups and chest-to-bar pull-ups before we move off the rig and onto the floor as we look to break down and develop the Handstand Walk.
HYROX
Working on compromised running this week. Running consistently strong when there is nothing left in your legs is a key skill in Hyrox.
MOBILITY
Improving your overhead mobility will show you how to improve not only flexibility but also stability using a few key exercises that you can do in your own time.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we will kick the week off with a mixture of paused and unpaused back squats, followed by some heavy single-leg work. Wednesday sees us continue our progression on the strict press and the stationary dips.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting we focus on the power snatch and hang power snatch with a series of complexes followed by some EMOM percentage work
.jpeg)
Track Tuesday
The purpose of this workout is to develop threshold speed. To do this we’re running through 3X800m into 2X400m finishing with a final best effort over 800m, then repeating the whole set again!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: InnerFight
Wednesday Ride
This Wednesday we’re going to put your legs through some climbing efforts and then finish with some maximum power sprints.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
Friday, The Coffee Run
The ‘in’ word within endurance is fatigue resistance; and today we look to benchmark it. With 2 maximum efforts at the start and end of the set with a steadier middle section, we’ll be able to track your drop-off. A great set for anyone wanting to get better this winter!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Friday, Sea Swim
With Salalah and T100 just around the corner, we again take to the seas to practice race-specific skills for open-water swimming.
Start time: 06:19 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Saturday Ride
This week we take on the second extension, with some 3-minute and 1-minute turns as a group. We’ll cover around 85km or fun riding. Come along to start your weekend right!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 3 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
Please note that there is no Monday and Wednesday session this week. LRC Unlimited Clients, your TrainingPeaks are still programmed.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: InnerFight
Session: Track Tuesday
This week we have a selection of 800s and 400s for you. Come ready to run fast with InnerFight Endurance community and coaching team.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Kite Beach
Session: The Coffee Run
Today we are looking at your durability. The session is book ended with hard efforts, to see how your duratlity is at the end of a middle block of easy running. This is a great session to test as the weather gets better and then test again in the coming month, after stacking some more consistency in your training.
.jpeg)
Monday:
Strength:
Pull Ups and Dumbell Bench Press
Conditioning:
Amrap 20
Car Park sandbag bear hug carry
10 hand-release push-ups
10 pull-ups
Half park run
Tuesday:
Strength:
Front Squats
Conditioning:
In a 3 minute window
10 Dual KB front squats (2x 20/16)
30/25/20 cal Row
AMRAP wall balls
Rest 2 mins x 5
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Power Clean + Hang Power Clean
B) Clean Complex + Wall Walks
Conditioning:
FOR TIME
3-6-9 Power clean
2-4-6 wall walks
into
9-12-15 Power Clean
9-12-15 Burpee over bar
Thursday:
Strength:
KB Single Leg Deadlifts + Arch Holds
Conditioning:
EMOM 16
Min 1 - 20 alt DB hang snatch (50/35)
Min 2 - 20/15 box jump over
Min 3 -18/15/12/9 Cal assault bike
Min 4 - Rest
Friday:
Conditioning:
Another spicy Friday to end the week, and then we finish together with a Durante Special!
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
Track Tuesday
The purpose of this workout is to develop threshold speed. To do this we’re running through 3X800m into 2X400m finishing with a final best effort over 800m, then repeating the whole set again!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: InnerFight
Wednesday Ride
This Wednesday we’re going to put your legs through some climbing efforts and then finish with some maximum power sprints.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
Friday, The Coffee Run
The ‘in’ word within endurance is fatigue resistance; and today we look to benchmark it. With 2 maximum efforts at the start and end of the set with a steadier middle section, we’ll be able to track your drop-off. A great set for anyone wanting to get better this winter!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Friday, Sea Swim
With Salalah and T100 just around the corner, we again take to the seas to practice race-specific skills for open-water swimming.
Start time: 06:19 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Saturday Ride
This week we take on the second extension, with some 3-minute and 1-minute turns as a group. We’ll cover around 85km or fun riding. Come along to start your weekend right!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 3 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
Please note that there is no Monday and Wednesday session this week. LRC Unlimited Clients, your TrainingPeaks are still programmed.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: InnerFight
Session: Track Tuesday
This week we have a selection of 800s and 400s for you. Come ready to run fast with InnerFight Endurance community and coaching team.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Kite Beach
Session: The Coffee Run
Today we are looking at your durability. The session is book ended with hard efforts, to see how your duratlity is at the end of a middle block of easy running. This is a great session to test as the weather gets better and then test again in the coming month, after stacking some more consistency in your training.
Monday:
Strength:
Pull Ups and Dumbell Bench Press
Conditioning:
Amrap 20
Car Park sandbag bear hug carry
10 hand-release push-ups
10 pull-ups
Half park run
Tuesday:
Strength:
Front Squats
Conditioning:
In a 3 minute window
10 Dual KB front squats (2x 20/16)
30/25/20 cal Row
AMRAP wall balls
Rest 2 mins x 5
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Power Clean + Hang Power Clean
B) Clean Complex + Wall Walks
Conditioning:
FOR TIME
3-6-9 Power clean
2-4-6 wall walks
into
9-12-15 Power Clean
9-12-15 Burpee over bar
Thursday:
Strength:
KB Single Leg Deadlifts + Arch Holds
Conditioning:
EMOM 16
Min 1 - 20 alt DB hang snatch (50/35)
Min 2 - 20/15 box jump over
Min 3 -18/15/12/9 Cal assault bike
Min 4 - Rest
Friday:
Conditioning:
Another spicy Friday to end the week, and then we finish together with a Durante Special!
ENGINE
We are going to mix things up a bit this week, varying modalities, time frames and distances designed to push your aerobic capacity.
GYMNASTICS
To kick things off, we will spend some time on Pull-ups and chest-to-bar pull-ups before we move off the rig and onto the floor as we look to break down and develop the Handstand Walk.
HYROX
Working on compromised running this week. Running consistently strong when there is nothing left in your legs is a key skill in Hyrox.
MOBILITY
Improving your overhead mobility will show you how to improve not only flexibility but also stability using a few key exercises that you can do in your own time.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we will kick the week off with a mixture of paused and unpaused back squats, followed by some heavy single-leg work. Wednesday sees us continue our progression on the strict press and the stationary dips.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting we focus on the power snatch and hang power snatch with a series of complexes followed by some EMOM percentage work
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
Please note that there is no Monday and Wednesday session this week. LRC Unlimited Clients, your TrainingPeaks are still programmed.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: InnerFight
Session: Track Tuesday
This week we have a selection of 800s and 400s for you. Come ready to run fast with InnerFight Endurance community and coaching team.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Kite Beach
Session: The Coffee Run
Today we are looking at your durability. The session is book ended with hard efforts, to see how your duratlity is at the end of a middle block of easy running. This is a great session to test as the weather gets better and then test again in the coming month, after stacking some more consistency in your training.
Monday:
Strength:
Pull Ups and Dumbell Bench Press
Conditioning:
Amrap 20
Car Park sandbag bear hug carry
10 hand-release push-ups
10 pull-ups
Half park run
Tuesday:
Strength:
Front Squats
Conditioning:
In a 3 minute window
10 Dual KB front squats (2x 20/16)
30/25/20 cal Row
AMRAP wall balls
Rest 2 mins x 5
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Power Clean + Hang Power Clean
B) Clean Complex + Wall Walks
Conditioning:
FOR TIME
3-6-9 Power clean
2-4-6 wall walks
into
9-12-15 Power Clean
9-12-15 Burpee over bar
Thursday:
Strength:
KB Single Leg Deadlifts + Arch Holds
Conditioning:
EMOM 16
Min 1 - 20 alt DB hang snatch (50/35)
Min 2 - 20/15 box jump over
Min 3 -18/15/12/9 Cal assault bike
Min 4 - Rest
Friday:
Conditioning:
Another spicy Friday to end the week, and then we finish together with a Durante Special!
ENGINE
We are going to mix things up a bit this week, varying modalities, time frames and distances designed to push your aerobic capacity.
GYMNASTICS
To kick things off, we will spend some time on Pull-ups and chest-to-bar pull-ups before we move off the rig and onto the floor as we look to break down and develop the Handstand Walk.
HYROX
Working on compromised running this week. Running consistently strong when there is nothing left in your legs is a key skill in Hyrox.
MOBILITY
Improving your overhead mobility will show you how to improve not only flexibility but also stability using a few key exercises that you can do in your own time.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we will kick the week off with a mixture of paused and unpaused back squats, followed by some heavy single-leg work. Wednesday sees us continue our progression on the strict press and the stationary dips.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting we focus on the power snatch and hang power snatch with a series of complexes followed by some EMOM percentage work
Track Tuesday
The purpose of this workout is to develop threshold speed. To do this we’re running through 3X800m into 2X400m finishing with a final best effort over 800m, then repeating the whole set again!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: InnerFight
Wednesday Ride
This Wednesday we’re going to put your legs through some climbing efforts and then finish with some maximum power sprints.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
Friday, The Coffee Run
The ‘in’ word within endurance is fatigue resistance; and today we look to benchmark it. With 2 maximum efforts at the start and end of the set with a steadier middle section, we’ll be able to track your drop-off. A great set for anyone wanting to get better this winter!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Friday, Sea Swim
With Salalah and T100 just around the corner, we again take to the seas to practice race-specific skills for open-water swimming.
Start time: 06:19 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Saturday Ride
This week we take on the second extension, with some 3-minute and 1-minute turns as a group. We’ll cover around 85km or fun riding. Come along to start your weekend right!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 3 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
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