Testimonials
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We strongly encourage you to create a trial membership and ask them about Endurance Nation yourself! Remember, we'll give you a 10% discount just for creating a trial and checking us out. Endurance Nation, from the Athlete's Perspective, featured on XTri.com |
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"I have been doing triathlon for a long time. I have had a number of
coaching relationships including some pricey 1:1 scenarios--some of the
names I worked with would be readily identified here. But never, in all
my years, have I been happier or more well served than at Endurance
Nation. The off-season program has been amazing--and so much fun. I am
so fit, getting so strong, and so ready for the in-season work. The
experience of having a group (all doing the same program) to check in
with every day has been invaluable. On top of that, you have Rich and
Patrick "driving the bus" and overseeing it all with coach input on
just about a daily basis. Plus, there are weekly instructional podcasts
that help guide each training week. Other informational pod casts are
posted too--like "planning your off-season." We've already had a free
webinar, with more to come. You can sign up for a "Training with Power"
live webinar series for such a reasonable price. There's an article
library, and a video library too. Unbelievable. Not only have Rich and
Patrick delivered what they promised, it's all that and more. The value
is unlike anything I have experienced. Plus, the interconnectedness of
athletes and coaches is a whole new paradigm that is incredibly
effective. I wouldn't hesitate to encourage anyone to give it a try." --Linda ---------------------------------------------------- Perspective on "work" changed: This was my first winter of solid trainer work. On the OS plan, many times I got off the trainer (after only like 1 ½ hours) and my legs would be trashed as if I had run a fast race or long run. I learned the meaning of “just down here [in my basement] doing `the work.’” High quality work without a lot of time investment. There’s no “fluff.” Every minute counts. I did not realize how much work I could absorb and what athletic abilities I had in me until the OS plan. Knowledge gained – Immeasurable. OS was like Triathlon University, only better as Coach Rich and Patrick created this extraordinary learning community where we supported each other and held each other accountable. Did you get fast? – Yes! See next question How has that OS work expressed itself in your races this season?
Anything else you'd like to add? I still have lots to learn and lots of room to improve. The OS Plan was a BLAST to do over the winter. I loved it! and the OS community got me through a really tough Midwest winter. When the snow thawed, I was ready to roll into my best tri season ever. --Colleen ---------------------------------------------------- Background I've dabbled in sprint/olympic distance triathlons for the past 10 years, but '07 was the first season where I stepped up in distance (2 HIM's). I joined EN in Jan-08 after purchasing a PM and the Power Webinar series with a goal to have a breakthrough season in '08. Perspective on "work" changed: While I had previously done speed work, the OS plan taught me that my body was capable of spending much more time in this ‘work’ zone and recalibrated my understanding of ‘hard’. Knowledge gained: I learned a ton. From how the key sessions fit together within a week, managing fatigue, and trying a whole different way of training: power + pace. Would never go back to training/racing without it. Did you get fast? Yes, in both bike and run. See below. How has that OS work expressed itself in your races this season?
1. 30’ PR at the 70.3 distance
2. Got Clearwater slot @ Steelhead 70.3 3. 3rd Cat 4 at WI State 40k TT Championship (7’+ PR) How has your experience changed you (knowledge, fitness, perspective) from your local training peers? My training partners & friends thought I was nuts for training at such high intensities in the off-season. They told me that I should be working on base. I kept my mouth shut and patiently waited to let my legs to the talkin’. It worked. They're scratching their heads wondering how I became so strong once I came out of hibernation from the pain-cave and continued to carry that throughout the racing season. Just this past weekend, an old friend asked if I had put in a ton of miles and training hours this season to get my fitness. My answer obviously was no. I told him that it was on an average of 10 hrs a week with no junk miles. He looked very puzzled. Like others have said, Work WORKS! -- Jim ----------------------------------------------------
October Off season ENer: I want to get faster!  and felt like the Off Season program got me faster! That goal was met thru specific run workouts to include some great
track workouts, long runs with pace and tempo runs. I loved the
camaraderie with the other ENers doing the workouts as many of my runs
were by myself. and let's face it, talking about "4 x 100s" is not
generally fascinating to most of your friends, but it was with the
others in the Off Season! It was great to know that I would "report" in
about my #'s/mileage and others would commiserate/celebrate with me. I also enjoyed the focused, intense bike workouts. With the cold
weather and still no trainer! I wanted to know that I could get
outside, bang out a workout and be done! knowing that in the end, I
would be a faster cyclist. I had no glitches jumping right on into an
Ironman training program. I also did see my speed improve in running and cycling. I
participated in local running races and could see PRs in those all the
while continuing to build my cycling. I did not race any cycling
events, but my friends who saw me in early spring told me "that I had
gotten faster!" In fact, I was faster in this year's Ironman, this year's 1/2 Iron and century ride. I learned about conceptualizing my season of training, the month of
training and the week of training and just not ONE day of training. I
was able to understand the concept of "key" workouts which helped me in
my Ironman training but also prevented injuries, burnout or lacklustre
performances. As far as my fitness goes, I feel great! It was ten months ago, when I
joined the Off Season program and then rolled into an Ironman program,
recovered, and went into a HIM program and back into recovery and
thinking about a marathon and my next Ironman. I have remained mentally
(somewhat!) intact with guidance from EN on taking days off,
transitioning from one program to another and generally having fun! One of the fun things was just getting to know people who are as nutty as I am about this triathlon training! I have some defined dreams/goals and each workout serves a purpose
for me, either in recovery or build. I am not just "out there" with no
specific goal in mind. I like the simplicity of the plan and concept of
"work works".I
have reached a new level of fitness since participating in the Off
Season Plan with Endurance Nation. In the first 6 weeks alone I took
1.5 mins off my 10k time and increased my FTP on the bike by 10 watts!!
The support in the forum is outstanding and Rich and Coach P are in
there everyday with direction. I have found they listen to the input of
the EN members and are willing to adjust the plan as things move along.
An even better perk has been the relationships gained with the other
participants. From all different walks and perspectives but with shared
goals. As long as there is an EN I will be a participant. Give it a
try, what it offers is really more than money can buy. -- Gina ---------------------------------------------------- Just wanted to offer my perspective here. I've been self-coached since I started the triathlon game in 2003, but I've been structuring my training according to Rich Strauss' philosophies since mid-2005, esp. after I got my PT wheel in 2006. In that time frame, I've done two IM's, going from 11:37 in 2005 to 10:22 in 2007 (both at IMCDA). This winter, I decided to let the ol' noodle rest a bit and signed up for one of the Endurance Nation off-season training groups (EN Groups). It's been quite a kick so far. The plan itself is very similar to what I've been doing the past two years, so I didn't have as much of a learning curve as some with respect to the intensity. The biggest benefit, though, has been the group atmosphere. Most of us can probably attest first-hand to the power of training in a group, with group rides, masters swims, track workouts, weekly long run groups, etc. Here on ST, we've now seen two years of fairly organized group efforts in the off-season (100/100 running, November FishTwitch, etc.). The accountability, support, and -- let's face it -- FUN of doing something with other people makes it that much easier and enjoyable to do the work required to elevate your game for next season. Endurance Nation is centered around this concept. Sure, you can get an approximation of that through the ST group efforts, but ST isn't equipped to truly support it in the way that Rich and Patrick have outfitted EN. Specifically, though the accountability and group support are there for both (through the forums), ST has no coaching element, so everyone's goals are their own, and the game here on ST is mainly to stave off detraining rather than hit specific fitness targets at the beginning of the season. Also, EN's specific raison d'etre is to support the athletes' pursuit of their goals, so the signal to noise ratio is quite high. Yes, I was a firm believer in Rich's methods before EN was even a glimmer in their imagination, but so far the Nation has raised the bar in terms of the value you should expect for your online coaching/community dollar. Besides, most of us likely spend more on hydration/nutrition products in a month than it costs to check out an EN Group for ourselves. How's that for perspective? :) -- Steve ------------------------------------------ I chose EN because Patrick was recommended to me by some members of a triathlon forum of some local races. I had just completed the Olympic distance race by training on my own and I was moving to the 70.3 distance and thought I'd need a more thorough and structured training plan. I spoke to Patrick as he was driving to Lake Placid for a week of training in early June, 2007. He was friendly, cordial and informative. I decidedto go with him and his plans over another local coach I had spoken to for a couple of reasons. He had a great triathlon background including multiple IM finishes with a few Kona races as well. I followed his plan for the 70.3 race and did well. By this time, I had already registered for IMUSA and I knew I needed to continue working with Patrick if I wanted to train right for my first Iron Man. He had also just launched Endurance Nation with Rich. I was familiar with Rich through his Crucible Fitness website and the multiple articles he made available at no cost. I also like Rich's idea of doing cool stuff with your fitness such as multiple days of riding in beautiful areas like Utah. There was no doubt I wanted to continue my training as a Charter Member of Endurance Nation. All the folks who participate in EN come from all different backgrounds and age groups. Everyone is very supportive and informative. The wealth of knowledge that exists amongst the members is amazing. If anyone posts a question on the forum, it not only gets answered by Patrick and/or Rich, but multiple member share their experiences as well. I have learned a tremendous amount about training effectively and efficiently. I've set multiple PRs in a half marathon, my local time trial races, and have pushed my fitness to a level I didn't think I'd ever achieve. I run pain free and much faster than before. An hour run now is an easy workout, whereas before, it was my max. My bike fitness had also improved dramatically. I got faster by riding and running faster. Later this year, I'm looking forward to taking advantage of all the knowledge in the EN house regarding training with power. I've already benefitted tremendously from the running with pace training Patrick and Rich launched earlier this year. Patrick and Rich never let things get stale. They're always looking at how they come improve things for us as athletes. They use their own data as well as ours to come up plans that benefit their members. I would and I have recommended EN to friends and training partners. The proof is in the results of its members. All you have to do is the work they give you. -- Dave ------------------------------------------ Hey guys, Just wanted to thank you for your insights. Great stuff! Finished my 6th Ironman this weekend, IMMoo. Before Sunday, my personal best was an 11:43 at IMUSA. On Sunday, I finished in 10:34. A 70 min PR, and all because I wouldn't "eat the paste." Sure, of course I trained my tail off (like everyone else), but your spot-on advice was the difference this year. My advice to anyone who wants a great IM race: execute the Four Keys and don't eat the paste! Thanks again! -E ------------------------------------------ Being one of the big Peeps here in EN wanted to
comment on how important it is to dial that RR run at IM Pace + 30
secs. In my two race RR's prior to my first IM (wisconsin) I found it a
complete PITA to get of the bike and try and run as slow as 9.45's let
me tell you if I hadn't of practised running that slow in myRR's I
would have run the first 6 miles at Moo at 8:30pace and imploded.....
In fact with the crowd going wild on state street the first 3 miles I
saw dudes running 7:30's passed these guy's in a ditch at mile 15. Don't believe me well here is my run stats. Having never run a marathon
before, ran the first 13.1miles in 2:04 second half in 2:00 never
walked a step all day and was just plowing through people at the end
with my three fastest miles being 24, 25, 26 all done between 7:30 and
8:30pace. Never walked a single step either. I never got passed by
anyone after mile 15. And finally the only time I got injured in training was the one time I
ran longer than 2:30hrs, I didn't believe RnP and sneaked in a 2:45
run....11:33 Im Wisconsin in my second season of training and first IM after
being a couch potato for 8 years, all I can say is this EN Sh*t
works.... --James--------------------------------------
As I neared the Finish Line I saw all my EN peeps
on the sideline cheering for me and I flashed the EN hand signal in
recognition. When I saw the race clock at the finish line I was in
absolute shock! 13:43:17!! HOLY CRAP! That’s almost a 2 hour PR from
IMFL where I finished in 15:37:24. Can you say happy girl??? --Nemo |
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