Right now, you and I can collect more and better data than ever possible previously. Yet, what's the point of all this data? Sometimes it's more frustrating than helpful to view spreadsheets that go wild with more and more columns of information. Tim Kukla, from Weston, MA, recently shared the data that he is collecting on a daily basis in order to measure both his training load and his body's response to that load, his "training adaptation." To view Tim's data click here.

Weighing in on the conversation about "essential data" is Allen Lim, Ph.D., America's expert on dose-response physiology and Floyd Landis' exercise physiologist for the past several Tour de France races This is what Allen Lim considers the seven basic data points to collect for those training at performance levels:

1. Time
2. RPE
3. Average Power
4. Energy from Power (i.e., Kjoules or Avs Power x Time)
5. Energy from RPE (i.e., Fosters index or RPE x Time)
6. Time in 3 Zones (easy to somewhat hard / somewhat hard to very hard / > very hard)
7. Peak Power (5 sec, 1 min, 5 min, 10 min, 30 min, 1 hr)

At the 2006 Heart Zones Conference, Allen delivered a keynote address providing participants with the detail reports of Floyd's 2006 Tour race data. But, as Allen would say (and more on this in the July issue of our E- newsletter), it is not the collection of the essential data that is key to performance success - it is interpreting that essential data over time. Visit Allen's website at www.thrivehfm.com

For the past year, you have been able to purchase a triathlon training plan from the Heart Zones USA web store. Now, with the new strategic partnership between Active Network and Heart Zones Coaching, the popular training programs are available on both sites. According to Cindy Miller, National Coach and President of Heart Zones Coaching, "We have been training thousands of triathletes every year using the Heart Zones Training system. Now we are proud to offer it through the Active network and their training platform."

Sacramento, Ca. Heart Zones USA, the company that popularized the use of heart rate monitors and other devices for personal training and coaching, announces the launch of its new web- and phone-based c oaching programs, says Cindy Miller, President, Heart Zones Coaching. For the past three years, Heart Zones USA has been the official coaching program of the Danskin Women's Triathlon, a service that's been available to 23,000 women across the US. These live individual and group coaching programs are so successful that the company has signed a marketing agreement with The Active Network ('Active"), the leading online community for active lifestyles, to provide web-based coaching services through the Active Trainer portal, an online suite of training tools.

Heart Zones Coaching is a licensed business partner to Sacramento- headquartered Heart Zones USA, providing training plans and coaching services through its team of certified coaches in the sports of t riathlon, running, and indoor and outdoor cycling. These services are scheduled to expand in 2007 to include weight loss, swimming, and pre-conditioning programs. The coaching services include the web delivery and logging features offered through Active Trainer, the application provider for these services.

"For those new to fitness training and for those who want to improve their performance results," says Sally Edwards, founder of Heart Zones USA, "hiring a coach to design the training plan and provide motivation is often the key to success." Edwards is a professional triathlete and author of more than 20 books on fitness, weight- loss, and training. "Now, with virtual and live coaching programs, it is surprisingly inexpensive to have your own coach who can personalize your workouts to fit you and your busy schedule," says Edwards.

Cindy Miller, President of Heart Zones Coaching has coached and trained hundreds of athletes during her professional fitness career. Working with Heart Zones USA, she developed a coaching program for Danskin athletes, and presently she coaches not only Danskin athletes but those athletes who want to set personal records or become elite competitors. For more information or to discuss these services, contact Cindy Miller via email at cindy.miller@heartzones.com, call her at 818- 243-9586, or visit www.heartzones.com or www.activetrainer.com.

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