Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast - Presented by TrainerRoad

The Volume Trap: Why Junk Miles Quietly Kill Fitness | Zach Calton | Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast 575

10 snips
Feb 26, 2026
Guest
Zach Calton
Zach Calton, pro gravel and mountain bike racer who balances full-time work with pro-level training. He discusses protecting key interval sessions and avoiding junk miles. He talks about prioritizing consistency over big volume spikes. He covers practical pacing cues, mental strategies for hard intervals, and how to adjust training when fatigue shows up.
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ANECDOTE

Years Balancing Work School And Serious Training

  • Zach balanced full-time work with high-level training for over a decade before turning pro.
  • He maintained training through school and jobs, which shaped his practical approach to protecting key sessions and fitting training around life.
ADVICE

Avoid The Freshman Kick

  • Avoid going over target power just because you feel good; reserve above-target efforts for deliberate tests.
  • Zach only pushes above prescribed power rarely, using it as a verification of fitness change rather than spontaneous proof-of-form.
INSIGHT

Smooth Volume Wins Over Volatile Camps

  • Consistency often beats blunt high-volume blocks; smoothing high/low weeks reduces volatility.
  • Zach shifted from big volume spikes to milder polarization and steadier off-weeks, finding better results for racing.
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