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PRESS RELEASE: Experts to discuss benefits of power-meter training

By press release
Published: Feb. 15, 2006

Hunter Allen and Dr. Andrew Coggan will present material covered in their new book, "Training and Racing with a Power Meter," at Fast Splits, one of New England’s leading multisport training and retail centers. The event is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Fast Splits location in West Newton, Massachusetts.

Allen and Coggan will discuss the benefits of training with power and explain basic theory and techniques. Using real-life power meter data, they will review case studies and show how power meter data reveals strengths, weaknesses, and what kind of rider a cyclist can become. After the presentation, Allen and Coggan will answer questions and autograph copies of their book, which will be available from Fast Splits. The event is free and open to interested triathletes and cyclists.

Allen and Coggan are recognized world leaders in training with power. As instructors of the USA Cycling Coaches Certification Course, Allen and Coggan have designed the coursework, texts, and testing that certifies coaches in power based training.

Now triathletes and cyclists can understand these same concepts. "Training and Racing with a Power Meter" is the first book to fully explore the benefits and methodology of training with power.

Pros like Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis have long used power meters to prepare for competitions, but as manufacturers have improved the technology and made it more affordable, amateur cyclists and triathletes are now clamoring for the advantage of training with power. With every crank of the pedals, these power meters reveal how cyclists can improve their performance, but many riders still don't understand how to get the most from the technology.

Using a power meter, readers will track workouts, target weaknesses, and time peak power output. Sample graphs and easy-to-digest information show readers the numbers they will need to win climbs, sprints, time trials, and stage races.

Riders who haven’t used a power meter will find this book to be a step-by-step introduction. "Training and Racing with a Power Meter" is also a guide to the available power meters with side-by-side comparisons, recommendations for different user styles, installation notes, and clear directions on how to interpret the data different models provide.

For cyclists who are already training with power, this book is the "missing manual" to help them better understand their data and delve deeper into the numbers. Authors Allen and Coggan have devised unique methods to calculate the impact of intensity and volume, as well as the patterns that emerge over a long season of training. Whether for pacing or planning the most important race of the season, power can unlock potential even for the most experienced cyclists.

Hunter Allen is a USA Cycling Level 1 Cycling Coach, owner of the Peaks Coaching Group, and a former professional cyclist with the Navigators Team. He has been coaching endurance athletes of varied experience levels since 1995, and his athletes have achieved more than 600 victories and numerous national championship titles and medals. Hunter has analyzed thousands of power meter files and in conjunction with Dr. Coggan, he developed his own power meter software. Allen and Coggan are instructors for USA Cycling’s new power meter certification course that was launched in December 2005.

Andrew Coggan, Ph.D., is an internationally known exercise physiologist. He has published numerous scientific articles on a diverse range of topics including the effects of carbohydrates on cycling performance, physiological adaptations to endurance training, and the effects of aging on muscle metabolism during exercise. Andrew is a widely recognized as the leading expert on the use of power meters in training and developed many of the concepts used in training today. He earned his Ph.D. in exercise physiology from the University of Texas and an M.S. in human bioenergetics from Ball State University.

VeloPress is the book-publishing unit of Inside Communications, the parent company of Inside Triathlon and VeloNews magazines. More information about VeloPress is available at velopress.com.

Fast Splits is a professional multisport organization dedicated to the performance of endurance athletes of all levels and abilities. Owned and operated by multisport athletes, the company specializes in triathlon and Nordic skiing. Fast Splits is located at 1369 Washington Street, West Newton, Mass. More information, maps, and directions are available at fastsplits.com or via phone at (617) 969-0608.

For more information, please contact:

Brian Hughes
Fast Splits of Newton
1369 Washington Street
W. Newton, MA 02465
Phone: (617) 969-0608
E-mail: brian@fastsplits.com
fastsplits.com

Dave Trendler, Marketing Associate
VeloPress
1830 N. 55th St.
Boulder, CO 80301
Direct: (303) 245-2138
E-mail: dtrendler@insideinc.com
velopress.com.