Balancing the Art and Science of Performance

As coaches, we work at the intersection of data and dialogue, between watts and words. Our role is to be a bridge between science and intuition, to merge physiology with psychology. We evaluate performance data, prescribe training, and observe trends, but we also listen, interpret, and support.

The data is powerful. It can offer clarity, direction, and accountability. But this is only useful when we keep the bigger picture in mind: the athlete in front of us.

Too often, the very thing meant to support our work turns into a barrier. Managing endless streams of data—from power files to HRV, fuelling demands to sleep trackers—can take more time than it saves. We find ourselves switching between tabs, sifting through dashboards, and chasing metrics instead of meaning. When we’re pressed for time, we face a difficult choice: dive deep into data at the expense of connection, or focus on athlete engagement and risk missing out on insights from analysis.

This imbalance can lead to:

• Superficial conversations

• Rushed or incomplete analysis

• Over-reliance on “default” metrics (looking at you FTP)

• Missed insights that lie between the lines

• Or worse, burnout from trying to manage everything manually

The outcome? Coaching becomes reactive rather than proactive. We begin to stray from what truly makes our work impactful: forming human connections driven by smart, actionable insights backed by data.

Vekta: A Better Way to Work With Data

That's why I've found so much value in Vekta. It’s not just another analysis platform; it’s a tool from a team that understands how coaches think and what we need to do our job well. How they’ve streamlined the analysis process and present the information supports—not replaces—coaching.

The tools highlight what’s important, the data visualisation is clean, and the outcome is more understanding in less time. This allows me to shift my focus from "Here's the data" to "What does this mean for you?" And that’s where the magic of coaching happens.

The difference is clear: I spend less time searching for answers and more time asking better questions. Vekta gives me more time to focus on:

• Regular, meaningful check-ins that build trust

• Digging deeper into the “why” behind performance trends

• Encouraging athlete curiosity and ownership of their progress

It allows me to reconnect with the craft of coaching, not just the numbers.

Case Study: Workout Comparison Without the Hassle

One of my favorite features in Vekta is the Workout Comparison tool. It’s one of those simple yet powerful tools that saves hours in the long run and improves the coaching process.

Let's say we want to target a specific energy system, such as high aerobic repeatability. In the past, comparing key sessions over time meant sifting through old files, hoping the athlete, former coach (or I) named things consistently, taking notes, and finding a good way to display/communicate this to the athlete. Throughout years of experience, this process has become more efficient, yet remained an unnecessarily cumbersome task.

With Vekta, that process takes seconds. The software does the heavy lifting—automatically pulling up comparable workouts and displaying them side by side in an easily digestible format.

This opens up many possibilities:

• I can quickly assess: Are we improving? By how much? At what rate?

• I can spot improvements in repeatability, fatigue resistance, or pacing

• I can ask more relevant questions: “What felt different about this effort?” or “What helped you stay more consistent here?”

• I can examine regressions without guesswork: “This session dipped—was it the heat? Poor sleep? A missed fuelling window?”

These discussions go beyond performance reviews into learning opportunities, empowering both the coach and athlete to make smarter decisions moving forward.

Conclusion: Data With Purpose

At the end of the day, data is valuable only if it helps us coach better and helps our athletes get faster and closer to their goals. When it becomes noise, a burden, or a hindrance, it stops serving its purpose.

Vekta is working to remove the friction. It helps me uncover the story behind the numbers, draw meaningful insights, and ultimately, be a better coach. It doesn’t overwhelm; it clarifies. It doesn’t distract; it directs.

The best software isn’t the one that complicates things; it’s the one that gives us more time to connect, guide, and help athletes thrive.

Work with John

If you want to dive deeper into John’s approach, or explore working with him one-on-one — head to Contour Endurance to see how he helps athletes turn insight into progress and performance into long-term growth.