Endurance Unlimited
Endurance Unlimited
TrainingPeaks
The training podcast for serious endurance athletes and coaches — powered by TrainingPeaks. Each episode, we dive deep with elite cyclists, runners, triathletes, ultramarathon athletes, and the coaches who train them, pulling out the science, strategy, and real-world insights that actually move the needle on performance. If you're training for your next race — or coaching athletes who are — this is where you come to analyze how you're training. To learn more about how TrainingPeaks can help you achieve your training goals, visit us at trainingpeaks.com.
Peak Access Episode 6 — Taking Women's Cycling to a New Level – 2026 Tour de France Femmes
Join pro cyclist Ruth Edwards and host Joe Lewis as they pull back the curtain on the 2026 Tour de France Femmes—every dramatic stage, gritty comeback, and the crucial behind-the-scenes support that’s powering a new wave of champions. You’ll get the inside scoop on game-changing workouts, the impact of investment and equality, and the data-driven tools elevating the women’s peloton to its fastest, deepest level ever. Get Tour de France Femmes secrets: Pro coaching insights, real peloton power files, and the scientific training breakthroughs fueling women’s cycling’s explosive rise. Discover how sponsor power, maternity support, and next-gen sports science are transforming the Tour and the women athletes leading it.
Aug 7
49 min
Closing Cycling's Data Gap for Women with Callum McQueen
Ahead of the longest, most mountainous Tour de France Femmes in the race's five-year history, Human Powered Health Cycling Head of Performance Callum McQueen joins Endurance Unlimited to talk preparation. From individualized workload design to closing the research gaps still facing women's cycling, Callum breaks down how his team translates data into decisions for one of the sport's toughest stages yet.
Jul 30
33 min
Peak Access Episode 4 — Paris on the Line: The Tour by the Numbers – 2026 Tour de France
In the final episode of Peak Access, Alex Howes ⁠⁠and ⁠⁠Joe Lewis break down the hardest-hitting moments and stats from the Tour, revealing why training for sprints, building durability, and mastering recovery are game changers for riders of all levels. This is your inside look at Tour de France training secrets, pro cyclist recovery hacks, and sprint workout breakthroughs. Whether you’re prepping for your own event or plotting your next breakthrough, you’ll walk away with instantly actionable tips—including free training plans and durability tests tailored to your phenotype. For more info and stories about how WorldTour teams use TrainingPeaks data, check out our TdF Hub Page. Don't forget to check out Joe's free training plans, available on TrainingPeaks. #TourdeFrance #PeakAccess
Jul 24
43 min
Peak Access Episode 3  — Surviving the First Rest Day – 2026 Tour de France
Dive into the third episode of Peak Access, where the conversation goes beyond just race recaps. Alex Howes ⁠and ⁠Joe Lewis⁠ unpack what it really takes to survive—and thrive—in the world’s biggest bike race, translating elite tactics into actionable advice for all athletes and coaches. From mastering fueling habits to understanding the critical role of rest, while balancing try to surviving rest days during The Tour, and the science behind power-to-heart-rate decoupling, this episode is a playbook for building durability and outlasting the competition. What questions do you have about training and racing to Paris? Share your questions in the comments! 👇 For more info and stories about how WorldTour teams use TrainingPeaks data, check out our TdF Hub Page: https://www.trainingpeaks.com/grand-tour-july-2026/ #TourdeFrance #PeakAccess
Jul 17
43 min
The Science of Heat Stress: Boost Your Endurance with Core Temperature Insights
Many believe that riding outdoors in high temperatures guarantees heat adaptation. But that’s not the whole story. Aline Barre, the Endurance Performance Lead for CORE, explains what it takes to get true performance benefits for athletes. And why real heat training requires understanding both internal and external temperatures. Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean your body is adapting effectively. To truly benefit, Aline says to aim for an elevated core temperature, around 38.5°C. This means overdressing in controlled environments — like the indoor trainer on TrainingPeaks Virtual — can lead to more effective training sessions! Remember, not all heat is created equal. Are you using the right methods for your training? #HeatTraining #SportsScience
Jul 14
27 min
Peak Access Episode 2 – The Power Behind the Race | 2026 Tour de France
Time to dive into the actual power behind the race. Alex Howes and Joe Lewis are back to break it all down on the next episode of Peak Access, part of the Endurance Unlimited podcast. Get behind-the-scenes insights from Alex and Joe as they decode pro power numbers, team tactics, and the mental game of modern bike racing from the first few stages of the Tour de France. Join us as we breakdown how data, mindset, and durability are changing how coaches and riders think about effort and race strategy. What questions do you have about training and racing to Paris? Share your questions in the comments! For more info and stories about how WorldTour teams use TrainingPeaks data, check out our TdF Hub Page: https://www.trainingpeaks.com/grand-tour-july-2026/
Jul 11
46 min
Coaching WorldTour Riders to Peak at the Right Time | Koen Pelgrim - Season 8 Episode 7
Go inside the mind of WorldTour coach, Koen Pelgrim, as the episode traces the journey from the physiology lab to the chaos of racing. You’ll get an inside look at what it takes to build a champion—from altitude camps and heat training protocols to how gym and strength work have become non-negotiables for today’s sprinters. The discussion digs deep into balancing “the art and science” of coaching, sharing actionable insights on tapering, team communication, and why trusting data (like heart rate and strain metrics) is key—but personal connection comes first. Key takeaways in this episode: Elite Prep: How sprinters and GC riders train differently for the Tour de France Altitude + Heat: Extend performance gains with modern adaptation strategies Strength & Conditioning: Why gym work is a pillar in today’s cycling programs Data in Action: How daily recovery, RPE, and metrics drive real-time decisions Art vs. Science: Why true coaching blends analytics and human intuition Learn how top coaches prepare elite sprinters for the Tour and use cutting-edge altitude and heat adaptation hacks. Discover proven performance analytics and real athlete-coach conversations that make the difference at the world's biggest races. Chapters: 00:00 – Altitude & Heat Training: Boosting Endurance for the Tour 00:53 – Training Differences: Sprinters vs. GC Riders 01:13 – Meet Koen: Coaching Roots & Early Influence 02:01 – Recent Wins & Prepping for the Tour de France 02:24 – From University Researcher to World Tour Coach 05:16 – Coaching Lessons: Lab to Real-World Application 06:04 – Culture Shift: Structured Plans in Pro Cycling 08:21 – Sprinter Preparation: Specific Workouts & Stage Simulation 09:05 – Altitude Camps for Sprinters: Aerobic & Anaerobic Focus 10:26 – Practicing Lead-Out Trains & Team Dynamics 11:55 – Strength Training: How Gym Work Evolved in Cycling 14:34 – Tapering: Differences for Sprinters and Climbers 16:29 – The Rise of Young Talent: Paul Magnier’s Development 19:32 – Balancing Sprint Power & Classic Ambitions 20:02 – Analyzing Race Data: Daily Effort, Heart Rate, and Recovery 23:43 – Heat Adaptation: Protocols Leading to the Tour 27:47 – Monitoring Subjective Data: Conversations Over Metrics 30:13 – Adaptive Training Plans & Athlete Autonomy 33:33 – Preventing Overtraining: Keeping Riders Controlled 35:08 – Art vs. Science: The Human Side of Coaching 36:43 – Closing Thoughts & Tour de France Preview
Jul 7
37 min
Peak Access Episode 1  — Grand Départ Prep — 2026 Tour de France
Ever wondered what it takes to prep for the toughest endurance race on Earth? Alex Howes and Joe Lewis kick off a new series, "Peak Access," part of the Endurance Unlimited podcast. In our first episode, we dive into the unique challenges of the Tour de France. With over 54,000 meters of climbing in just 21 days, this race is not for the faint-hearted. But it’s not just about the climbs. The athletes are facing a historic heat wave, making their training even more crucial. Join us as we discuss the insights, strategies, and the importance of the performance management chart that keeps these pros on track. What questions do you have about training and racing to Paris? Share your questions in the comments! 👇 For more info and stories about how Tour teams use TrainingPeaks data, check out our TdF Hub Page. #TourdeFrance #PeakAccess
Jul 2
47 min
Multi-Sport Olympian: Her 6-Month Training Gamble | Anna Gibson Season 8 Episode 6
Multi-sport training secrets, Olympic mindset shifts, and the art of balancing endurance sports—discover how to build unstoppable athletic versatility. Elevate your coaching or racing with power-packed tips from an Olympian who breaks all the rules. World-class athlete Anna Gibson joins Dirk on Endurance Unlimited to share her roller-coaster journey from track running and alpine skiing to trail, skimo, and elite gravel and mountain biking—often flipping the script on traditional training wisdom. You’ll get actionable insights into how being a multi-sport athlete can supercharge your competitive edge, why chasing curiosity fuels elite performance, and how to strategically blend volume, intensity, and rest when balancing several disciplines at once. Chapters: 00:00 – Anna Gibson’s Olympic Skimo Leap: The Unexpected Journey 01:46 – Building a Multi-Sport Engine: Running, Skiing, and Biking 03:54 – Life After the Olympics: Motivation, Mental Health & Reset 06:47 – From Alpine and Nordic to Trail: Early Athletic Foundations 10:30 – Closet Skimo Training and the Road to Team USA 12:26 – Saying Yes: Olympic Skimo Commitment and Qualification 15:17 – The Role of Camps and Community in Rising Fast 17:01 – Blending Training: Off-Season Recovery and Rapid Skill Development 19:44 – Confidence, Resilience, and Takeaways From Multi-Sport Racing 21:45 – Optimizing Cross-Training: Interplay Between Running, Biking & Skiing 24:18 – Future Goals: Big Mountain Events and Staying Curious 28:06 – Challenging Specialization: Lessons From Racing and Experimenting 29:55 – Leadville 100 Prep: Structure, Weaknesses, and Training Philosophy 35:39 – Sponsorships and Career Balance in a Multi-Sport Life 38:08 – Managing Workouts, Recovery, and Strength Across Disciplines 43:19 – Coaching Multi-Sport Athletes and Advice for Beginners 46:30 – Embracing Uncertainty, Staying Curious, and the Road Ahead
Jun 3
48 min
The Real Story: Coaching, Contracts, & Pregnancy in Elite Cycling | Sarah Sturm & Dennis van Winden - Season 8 Episode 5
Pregnancy and Elite Athletic Performance: How Pro Cyclist Sarah Sturm and Coach Dennis Van Winden Redefine Training for Mom Athletes. Discover top pregnancy-safe training tips, real athlete-coach strategies, and how to navigate racing, metrics, mental health, and sponsorships, without missing a beat. Elite cyclist Sarah Sturm and her coach Dennis Van Winden break new ground with a candid look at what it takes to maintain consistency, motivation, and health throughout pregnancy as a professional athlete. From adapting the athlete’s mindset to rethinking metrics and embracing Rate of Perceived Exertion, this episode delivers essential insights for female athletes (and coaches) facing the unknowns of pregnancy and postpartum return to racing. 00:00 – Mindset Shift: From Performance to Health in Pregnancy04:07 – When Career Meets Family: Planning for Pregnancy10:17 – Stress, Racing Seasons, and Conceiving as an Athlete14:56 – Privacy, Career Impact, and the Athlete Mindset17:33 – Letting Go of FTP: Embracing RPE and Subjective Training21:02 – Nutrition & Fueling: Adapting Intake for Pregnancy Needs22:36 – Flexible Programming: Communication and Weekly Check-ins29:10 – Grand Prix Notification: Navigating Pregnancy in Pro Competition31:15 – Pioneering Deferrals: Advocating for Maternity Policies33:14 – Sponsor Support: Contracts, Clauses, and Progressive Change35:35 – Identity Shifts: Psychological and Emotional Dynamics38:12 – Planning the Comeback: Hopes and Unknowns for 202743:02 – The Coach-Athlete Relationship: Trust, Adaptability, and Support49:03 – Data Gaps and Experimentation: Building Knowledge for Future Athletes54:38 – Comparing Experiences: Each Pregnancy is Unique59:46 – Postpartum Roadmap: Day-by-Day Planning for the Comeback1:02:02 – Advice for Athletes: Building a Support System Before and During Pregnancy1:02:41 – Closing Thoughts: Changing the Conversation about Pregnancy, Athletics, and Support
May 6
1 hr 4 min
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