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Power-training protocol

ChrisSmythChrisSmyth
in November ‘09 Outseason







This is aimed at RnP primarily but maybe some of the VO2 max guinea pigs from last year will know. I received an EN email this morning inviting Oct and Nov OS people to sign up for a 6 week “double-top secret power training protocol” in January at a (nicely reduced) cost of $99.



Is this different to the “double-top secret power training protocol” in OS weeks 9-14 which I understood from previous blog and video posts was a team-only feature that was held back from the general public and so assumed was part of our monthly membership?

 

I don't mind the extra cost – just want to know if what we currently pay gets us the VO2 max training block in weeks 9-14 and what extra do we get in that period if we pay $99.

 

Thanks a lot,

Chris

Comments

  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak

    Chris,

    I can't speak for certain but I bought the EN plan upfront then joined the Haus.  The beginner plan has some VO2 max in there already but there could be additions or in Haus pieces as well I don't know about that.  I have not been following it that closely but believe the beginner OS workouts have been the same as the purchased plan so far. 

    What you are referring to I believe was in a recent email update from EN.  I have no idea what they are doing here but this is an add-on for those that qualify with a $99 price tag.

    January Power Clinic

    Last year the coaches, with the help of about 20 EN athletes, proofed out a double-top secret power training protocol that boosted the participants FTP by an additional 5-8% on top of their OS Gains in only six weeks.  This protocol will be made available in January, in the form of a 6-week, coach-directed, intensive learning and training opportunity. Consider this to be an optional, add-on/turbo-charger for your OS training plan!



    Space for the clinic is limited and, in fact, it's not for everyone. We've heard the call for more intensive, focused support and believe a class environment will enable us to meet your needs in an effective and affordable way. Note: In the future we plan to create additional clinics as premium add-ons for the basic Endurance Nation experience (think running with pace, swimming, etc.).



    This is how it's going to work:

     

    1. Interested folks must register for more information about Power Clinic by December 10th. You can register via the Bike Page on the Train Map.
    2. We'll then have the interested athletes (registered above) do some testing on the bike. We'll run some numbers and then let you know individually if you are--or are not--a good candidate for the Power Clinic.
    3. At that time we'll send you registration and payment information.

       



    Cost: Regularly $199, the Power Clinic will be only $99 for this first class of participants. Power Clinic will be limited.

    Dates: Early January through mid-February. We'll help you work it into your plans.

    Eligible Participants: This is open to October and November OS participants only.

     

    I hope this helps.

    Gordon

  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    My guess is that this is the "power hack" developed last year. It has not been rolled out yet and, from my understanding, is designed as a lot more hard work to overlay a typically hard program image

    I was not part of the development, so can not offer any real details other than stuff posted on the 3.0 forum in the past.

    tom
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Hey Guys,



    First of all, please remember that we don't actively monitor the forums/posts in these OS groups. If you have questions like this, please ask them in the main forums. Thanks.

    As we said in the email, last year we did a bit of an experiment with about 20 team members to create and proof out a different training protocol aimed at raising power at Vo2 and FTP. It definitely worked. However, what we learned was:

    • It is a very, very challenging protocol. Very difficult to manage within the context of continued bike and run training.
    • it is supported by a significant body of learning material that is unlike anything else out there. You're not going to find these ideas an Coggan's book, or anywhere on this site, for that matter. As such, it requires a significant investment on our end to teach it to you and on your end to learn it and pay attention.
    • The two above combine to create the requirement that smart guys (RnP) need to be very hands on, to be in a closed forum with the participants to closely monitor what they are doing, teaching, helping them integrate this protocol with the rest of the OS plan.

    The net is that this protocol is NOT a self-directed program. It requires the close supervision of coaches, active participation of the participants, a committment to learning a new body of power knowledge, etc. This is why are are calling this a CLINIC. You understand what a clinic is: you pay extra for extra attention, instruction, has a start/end date, etc.

    Why is it not free?

    • See extra attention by RnP above. Frankly, we need to be compensated for the extra significant effort.
    • Not free = Everyone in the program has skin in the game. This SIGNIFICANTLY increases the quality of the experience for everyone. If it's free, then Timmy says "sure, I'll play," signs up, sleeps in the back of the class and raises his hand in Week 4 to ask Week 1 questions, ruining it for everyone.

    Has this stuff been included in Weeks 9-14 of the current OS plans?

    Yes: we have made a good many tweaks to the Week 9-14 stuff for the '10 plans vs '09

    And No, ie, we have not included this Power Clinic stuff. Our reasoning is this:

    • Our OS plans need to be standalone products. A non-member should be able to purchase an OS plan and have everything they need to coach themselves through the plan. These are the plans we sell to the public in the Store.
    • We then bring these plans inside the Haus, put a TON of members-only supporting materials around them (the videos, podcasts, etc) and support the plans as coaches and team. This is what you're paying extra for, as being a member of TeamEN vs our training plan customers on the outside.
    • We then asked ourselves "do we want to include this specialized power stuff with the members' plans?" Answer was no because:
      • Requires a significant investment in knowledge and a lot of handholding to manage people through it. See "not a standalone product" comments above.
      • It would basically be like giving a loaded gun to a kid. Seriously, our nightmare is the EN member who doesn't particiate on the Team, doesn't ask us for help with stuff, doesn't ask questions, then shows up 3mo later completely shelled  because they just didn't ask for help. This WILL happen if we were to just give this out to everyone.

    What do I get?

    Just register to receive more information about the Power Clinic and we'll tell you . If you're serious enough this then you're serious enough to at least give us an email address to learn more. This step is the first step in a selection process, to help us identify the people who are seriously interested so we can have a more detailed conversation with them without the uninterested having to hear it also.

    Hope this helps!

     

    Rich

  • Keith WickKeith Wick

    as a member of the power hack experiment, i would just like to reinforce that you will need support during the training block and will need to actively be involved in the clinic.  the power hack is a great way to drive head first into a brick wall if you are not careful.  by the end of the hack, i was definitely glad to be back to the easy 2 x 20' intervals. 

    p.s.--make sure you have a bucket next to the trainer for each interval session.

  • ChrisSmythChrisSmyth

    Thanks - very helpful Rich - sorry I asked the question in the wrong place!

    I have registered for more info.

    Chris

  • DocHoffartDocHoffart

    Reminds me of the first Squat day with a new training partner who was a Marine-recon dude and then again with my roomate years later in Chiropractic College who was a Seal. The power-puke was something to be behold and causes a growth-hormone spike (IMO) that belies the effort. Those days were my early 20's and I can see where some serious hand-holding is necessary for most of us with less than stellar hormonal function due to age, stress of life and being endurance athletes (notoriously low testosterone levels).

    Vince

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