In this episode of MAD Science meets Real Life, Alan Couzens and Iñaki de la Parra break down a pattern we see every single year:
Athletes feel amazing in February and March…
And wonder what went wrong by June.
The problem?
They mistake early-season sensations for real fitness—and start chasing more.
More volume.
More intensity.
More racing.
Until the whole thing collapses.
In this conversation, we unpack why that happens—and what to do instead.
🔑 Key Ideas
Early “fitness” is often just fatigue + freshness illusions
Big training camps don’t carry you through the season
More racing = less peak performance
Stability beats constant progression
The best athletes aren’t just fitter - they’re more predictable
🧠 What We Get Into
The CTL trap (and why it misleads athletes)
Why you can’t rush adaptation
How to actually time your peak
When to push—and when to hold steady
Using races as training vs performance
Why most amateurs lose fitness after early-season camps
The missing phase in most training plans
For a deeper dive on effective season planning, please check out…
Why your training isn’t making you fitter: You’re not giving it time to grow!
Most athletes interrupt adaptation before it has a chance to happen!
from Alan and this one from Inaki…
May your 2026 season be as mistake-free as possible, and have you peaking when it matters the most!
