I proposed a challenge to Mike and he took the bait! Over the next year we'll compare our training methods and results from time to time and see whose works best. OK, it's not really a Training Duel. It's just two different approaches. But what with all the Gonna-kick-yer-butt!'s and tauntings and dares we might as well let 'em at it, right? Even so, training is a big tent and there's room for lots of approaches. So it's not really a training duel, it's friendly side-by-side Training Plans. --As in a drag race! Eat my dust, Mike!

Now, even Mike admits that his exact science isn't an exact science. It's relative. So I think we should compare our training as it relates to each of our goals.

Here's how I see it...

Mike is going to use his super-dude coach along with structured, minute-eensy-weensy-detail training to try to achieve his goal of reducing his %-back from an average of the Top 3. --And to try to keep MY %-back as far back from him as possible!

I'll use Willynilly Backyard Action to try to reach my goal of losing 10 pounds and increasing power and versatility...and to have fun (mainly via touring and resisting the urge to race). Maybe I should do at least ONE race so we can get a datapoint...and settle this bet at the end of a long, steep classic-stride UPHILL! Like, say, at the next Gran Travers race! Ho-ho! Otherwise, I guess we'll just have to do internal evaluation. OK, maybe I should include the %-back goal as well. We could base it off what my %-back was last year...to the Top 3 *and* to Mike!

Of course we can both freely revise goals as the season rolls along--which of course can and will be held against us.

Let the season begin!

OK: my first report is in: after my first few weeks of Backyard Training, I can report that I have hurt my shoulder from spear-throwing and hurt my knee from boulder tossing. However, I see a comeback in the near future. Today's strategic move is a bike ride on dirt roads with my wife! Let's see how it all plays out...

--JP

Jeff Potter runs *Out Your Backdoor * http://www.outyourbackdoor.com
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