Rest is a critical component of endurance training, because it's during rest that the body truly adapts and improves. While training provides the stimulus, rest is where the real growth happens: muscles repair, energy systems replenish, and the body absorbs the benefits of our hard work. Without adequate rest, we risk overtraining, fatigue, and even injury, which can stall progress. We emphasize a balanced approach here at BaseCamp, where recovery is as important as the work we put in. Proper rest ensures that each training session builds on the last, leading to steady, sustainable improvements in performance.
Facebook Update:
The first few weeks of our Facebook group has seen plenty of tech questions, specifically help requests for technical issues with Zwift and/or TrainingPeaks. To allow for the group focus to be more on training, nutrition, strength and mental performance we have started a few specific "technical help" chats within our Facebook BaseCamp Community Group. Please try to ask your technical questions there. Thank you!

Educated Athlete Focus: The Bannister Impulse Model and Timing of Response
The Bannister Impulse Model, a widely used concept in endurance sports, helps explain the relationship between training load, fatigue, and performance gains through a process called supercompensation. According to the model, when we apply a training stimulus, the body experiences both fatigue and fitness adaptation. Initially, fatigue may lower performance, but as the body recovers, it compensates by becoming stronger than before; this is supercompensation.
The key to maximizing this cycle is timing: applying the next training load at the peak of supercompensation leads to consistent improvements in performance. If the timing is off, we can either train too soon and risk overtraining or wait too long and lose the performance gains. The Bannister model underscores the importance of managing training stress and recovery to optimize the adaptive cycle.

NerdCast: Concepts in Adaptation
Want to learn more about supercompensation? Why rest is important? How we use this knowledge in our aplan? Watch the three-part NerdCast: Concepts in Adaptation here
This Week's Key Event: Second FTP Test
We will supply additional testing guidance this week to help you pace and execute a peak performance.
This Week's Objectives
Learn to rest
Learn to better understand the role of testing in both the process (your practice) and in the results (the outcome). Testing is training and training is testing.
Build understanding of the individual(ized) time to adaptation relationship with exercise stimuli
Coach Tips
Rest means rest! This is a challenging time of year, with many holidays and events, but try to focus on keeping the stress low, eating well, and getting a solid amount of sleep. The better you execute your rest, the better you will adapt to the last three weeks of training.
For this week's FTP test, follow along with the coaching and learn to maximize your performance game.
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