Joe Friel has trained endurance athletes since 1980. His clients have included elite amateur and professional road cyclists, mountain bikers, triathletes, and duathletes. They have been from all corners of the globe and included American and foreign national champions, world championship competitors, and an Olympian. Joe holds a masters degree in exercise science, is a USA Triathlon and USA Cycling certified coach, and is the past Chairman of the USA Triathlon National Coaching Commission. He is a featured columnist for Inside Triathlon and VeloNews magazines, and writes feature stories for other international publications and websites. Joe conducts seminars around the country on training and racing for cyclists, multisport athletes, and coaches, and provides consulting services for corporations in the fitness industry. Every year Joe selects a group of the brightest coaches with the greatest potential and oversees their progress as they move into the ranks of elite-level coaching. As an age-group competitor, he was a Colorado State Masters Triathlon Champion, a Rocky Mountain region and Southwest region duathlon age-group champion, was on several All-American teams and represented the USA at the world championships several times. He also competes in road-running races and USCF bike races.

Foreword

Introduction

PART I: WHY POWER MATTERS

Chapter 1: Why Use a Power Meter?

Why Power?

Why Not Heart Rate, Speed, or Feel?

Output and Input

Warning!

Chapter 2: What Is Power?

The Basics of Power

How a Power Meter Works

Getting Fitter and Faster With Power

Chapter 3: Getting Started With Your Power Meter

What's on Your Handlebars?

KiloJoules, Average Power, and Normalized Power

Power's Relationships with Time and Heart Rate

PART II: TRAINING MORE EFFECTIVELY

Chapter 4: Your Power Zones

Power Zones

FTP: Your Most Important Number

Your Personal Power Zones

Chapter 5: Riding with Intensity

How Hard Did You Ride?

How Well Did You Pace?

Burning Matches

Chapter 6: Are You Fitter and Faster?

Power and Heart Rate Compared

Power and Energy

Are You Tired?

Are You Fitter and Faster?

Chapter 7: Using Your Power Meter for High Performance

Power Training Components

Power and Periodization

Performance Management

PART III: IMPROVING COMPETITIVE PERFORMANCE

Chapter 8: Power Training for Time Trials and Triathlons

What's Important?

Preparing for Your Triathlon

Preparing for Your Time Trial

Steady-State Racing With Power

Chapter 9: Power Training for Road Racing

What's Important?

Preparing for Your Road Race

Road Racing With Power

Chapter 10: Power Training for Endurance Events

What's Important?

Preparing for Your Event

Century Rides With Power

Multi-Day Tours With Power

Chapter 11: Power Training for Mountain Bike Racing

What's Important?

Preparing for Your Mountain Bike Race

Mountain Bike Racing With Power

Appendix A: Power-Based Workouts

Appendix B: Analysis Software

Abbreviations

Glossary