Meet Your 2012 Maximum Velocity Program Coaches!

The Maximum Velocity Program officially kicks off Tuesday April 3, 2012, and we want to introduce the AMAZING coaches we've got for this year's program. Their experience ranges from UCI racing in Europe to the LiveStrong Challenge Century and everything in between.

Today we start off with INTEGRATE Founder and President, Cat 2 MTB Racer, Al Painter, NASM PES, CES

1) Years Riding?

I’ve got 11 years of riding experience. I started out on MTB’s, and made the transition to the road in 2004 when I got bit by the Tour de France bug!

2) Why MVP?

A few years ago, I saw there was a need in Bay Area century training to add high intensity structured interval style workouts to take people’s fitness levels to the next level. I was convinced that you didn't need to have to ride 100 to be able to do 100 miles if you trained the right way. We saw to be true when we had people who had only ridden 60 miles at the most at a pretty good clip finish a century feeling great coming across the finish line.

I also wanted to test the theory that it is more important to be strong off the bike than on it, and based on the IPF methodology, we've shown there is a direct relation to how you function out of the saddle to the way you function in it. I think this is one of the reasons why MVP works as well as it does.

The MVP program is unique in this way because we believe shorter and more intense yields much better results not only in fitness gain, but weight loss as well. This program has evolved from the INTEGRATE100 Century Training Program into something that I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of!

3) Thing you are looking forward to the most?

I love teaching people new bike skills, especially on fat tires! One of my favorite things about coaching is when someone discovers they can do something they never thought they'd be able to. This is the best part of each season.

I’m also psyched to learn from the incredibly talented group of MVP coaches. They bring a level of experience to the table that is unmatched in the century training space, and I can’t wait to share this with the Bay Area cycling community!

4) Favorite thing about riding?

Hands down flying through flowing singletrack on my MTB, and riding with Jill when I’m lucky enough to have the chance!

5) Favorite type of event?

MTB race, the vibe is very tribal, super chill and they are just a blast to do! Cyclebration and Sea Otter are at the top of the list.