The endurance training circles are buzzing again about this (not-so-new) trend - Let's call it Zone 2 training, or to put it another way, training that is high in volume in low in intensity. There is inherently nothing wrong with this style of training unless it doesn't work in your time-starved life. Today, Matt discusses training optimization and getting the most out of your training time as a time-starved athlete. You shouldn't chase the same training hours as someone who has similar fitness and experience level as you, but who has no time limits. It wouldn’t be smart. If you have time constraints in your life, you have an optimization challenge and Matt provides insight. How can you optimize your limited training hours to yield the best performance returns? You'll learn: How to frame effective training with positive adaptations (17:10) "As you go on the journey to improve in any endeavor, there needs to be a challenging demand or stress applied, because it is only under challenge and adversity that there is a stimulus for real growth and development. (19:30) "Every single coach and athlete should be seeking to develop a program from which you can maximize the amount of training that you can execute while continuing to produce positive adaptations." Why more training volume is not always better (31:48) "More training doesn't always result in higher adaptation yield." The importance of being pragmatic and flexible with a dynamic mindset (35:12) "If you try and follow an incredibly rigid training program that is built around the accumulation of training hours, you are going to fail because what was good last week and appropriate this week might not be the same as next week." The secret to optimization success and prioritizing what is important Bottom line: You need to demystify training. Look at the hours you have and ask yourself, "How do I get the most out of it?" Episode Timestamps 0:00-13:28 Introduction and Matt's Personal Picks of the week The Purple Patch Center is Open! - Learn More and Schedule a Visit Purple Patch Website and Newsletter Listen to the original Sami Inkinen Episode 13:40- The Meat and Potatoes - Conquering The Optimization Challenge - Successful Racing in a Time-Starved Life Purple Patch and Episode Resources This episode is sponsored by our collaboration with INSIDE TRACKER. Inside Tracker and Purple Patch- Receive 20% off their services with code: PURPLEPATCHPRO20 Ask Matt Anything - Leave a voicemail question for Matt Learn more about Purple Patch Squad High-Performance Training Program Join Bike Squad - Don’t just exercise and work out; learn to train with our structured online cycling program Join Run Squad - Increase your running performance through our progressive, multi-sport approach to running Learn more about Purple Patch Fully Customized 1:1 Coaching Learn more about Purple Patch Strength Programming Purple Patch Swim Analysis Stay Up-to-Date with Purple Patch News and Events Purple Patch Upcoming Webinars and Events