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Do Endurance Sports Make You Age Faster?

In Chapter 1 of my new book, Beyond Training, you'll hear the story of two triathletes. The info graphic below contrasts two distinctly different styles of training, and the body damaging effects that can result when you train the wrong way.

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triathlete infographic 

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Chad, the first triathlete, beats up his body with excessive training in the "grey zone." His training consists primarily of junk miles and a standard endurance athlete diet. He de-prioritizes sleep, recovery and relaxation, and ignores holistic health concepts such as hormone balance and gut integrity. While there certainly is a correct way to train 20 to 30 hours per week (which you'll learn about in the book), Chad took the all-too-common approach of digging himself deeper and deeper into an overtraining hole until there was no way out.

In contrast Kirsten, the second triathlete, found the optimal balance between her endurance goals, her health and her life. She listened to her body, engaged in smart exercise, ate right, and used healthy living strategies that primed her body to absorb every last drop of her training. Her diet of real, recognizable, ancestral foods combined with an active lifestyle and brief bouts of high-intensity interval training allowed Kirsten to find lasting success.

If you want more details about how to be successful at the sport you love without destroying your body, check out my new book, Beyond Training.

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About the Author

Ben Greenfield

Ben Greenfield is a triathlon coach and nutrition consultant who helps athletes around the world via online coaching. For coaching, books by Ben, Ben's recommended supplements and more, visit Pacific Elite Fitness. Ben also has a free blog and podcast at BenGreenfieldFitness.com.
Ben Greenfield is a triathlon coach and nutrition consultant who helps athletes around the world via online coaching. For coaching, books by Ben, Ben's recommended supplements and more, visit Pacific Elite Fitness. Ben also has a free blog and podcast at BenGreenfieldFitness.com.

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