#68 Dirk Friel | Building Training Peaks, Optimizing Your Training & A Life Of Endurance
The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.MidPack Musings SubStackhttps://troymeadows.substack.com/?r=2gjcgs&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklistYou can now support the MidPacker Pod on Patreon.https://www.patreon.com/TheMidPackerPodCheck Out MPP Merch https://runtraillife.com/collections/midpacker-pod-merchMake sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Pagehttps://runtraillife.com/pages/rtl-coaching-servicesSTOKED TO HAVE JANJI ONBOARD AS A PARTNER IN 2025In this episode of the MidPacker Pod, host Troy Meadows sits down with Dirk Friel, co-founder and Chief Evangelist of TrainingPeaks. Dirk's journey from professional cyclist to tech entrepreneur offers valuable insights for athletes and coaches aiming to elevate their training.Dirk Friel's Journey: Professional Cycling Career: Dirk spent over a decade racing professionally, including five years in Europe, where he competed in prestigious events like Het Volk and the Tour de Langkawi.procyclingstats.com Founding TrainingPeaks: Recognizing the need for better tools to manage athlete training programs, Dirk co-founded TrainingPeaks in 1999. The platform has since become a cornerstone for endurance athletes and coaches worldwide, offering data-driven insights and unmatched coaching and training tools.trainingpeaks.com Ski Mountaineering Champion: Beyond cycling, Dirk is an accomplished ski mountaineer, clinching the U.S. Ski Mountaineering Masters Championship title in 2020.marnionthemove.comKey Takeaways: Embrace Technology: Utilizing platforms like TrainingPeaks can provide personalized training insights, helping athletes train smarter and achieve their goals. Diversify Your Training: Engaging in multiple endurance sports, such as cycling and ski mountaineering, can enhance overall athletic performance and keep training exciting. Continuous Learning: Staying updated with the latest training methodologies and tools is crucial for both athletes and coaches aiming for sustained success.Relevant Links: TrainingPeaks Official Website Dirk Friel's Profile on TrainingPeaks TrainingPeaks Metrics for Ultra Runners Dirk Friel on InstagramSponsor Links:Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com,Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Run Trail Life - https://runtraillife.com/Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.Freetrail - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.MidPacker Pod Links:Instagram | Patreon | SubStackTroy Meadows Links:Instagram | Twitter | Website | Strava Freetrail Links: Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | Website | YouTubeKeywords: Dirk Friel, TrainingPeaks, professional cycling, ski mountaineering, endurance training, ultramarathon, coaching, data-driven training, athlete performance, training plans