After overcoming two heart procedures for ventricular tachycardia, Paul Warloski is making a comeback by racing 11 gravel events in 2025 while raising funds for pediatric heart care. His training focuses on endurance, high-intensity intervals, and strength work, aiming to push his limits while supporting the Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee.
Words by Paul Warloski of Simple Endurance Coaching.
You can donate to his fundraiser HERE.
The Heart & Gravel Comeback Tour
In 2025, I’m doing 11 gravel races throughout the Midwest to celebrate that my heart is beating normally again and to raise money for pediatric cardiac care.
I’m calling it “The Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour 2025.”
I’ve had two ablations in the past two years to fix ventricular tachycardia, and the second, done last September, seems to have fixed the problem.
So I plan to ride several gravel races this year, culminating in the U.S. national championships, and raise money for pediatric heart care at the Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee.
I’m nervous putting this article out into the world since there’s no guarantee the heart issue won’t return.
But I’m trusting in the process and will keep training and working toward the goal.
Back at the Dirty South Roubaix
Two years ago, I wondered if I’d ever race a bike again.
This weekend, I’m back at the starting line for the Dirty South Roubaix in southern Illinois, my first gravel race since heart surgery—and the first of the Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour.
I’ll do the 100k race, which I did three years ago before I was diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia and had two ablations in the past two years.
Ventricular tachycardia is a condition where rogue electrical signals cause the heart to beat dangerously fast.
Surgeons did two ablations, a procedure to remove or destroy the rogue tissue, in two years to fix the problem.
So I’m thrilled to be back and see how my repaired heart will function in a long, challenging race.
Raising Money for Pediatric Heart Care
This will also be the first race for which we’re raising money for pediatric heart care at the Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee!
This race is not just a test of my endurance—it’s a chance to support the kids at the Herma Heart Institute.
Here’s the story I wrote about the fundraising.
Here is the link to donate.
Their grit inspires me to push harder.
Tentative Schedule for the Heart and Gravel Tour
March 1 Dirty South Roubaix, Alto Pass, IL 60 miles
March 22 Hell of the Wind, New Liberty, IL (Big River Gravel Series) 60 miles
April 5 Rough Road 100, Morris, IL 64 miles
April 12 Barry Roubaix, Hastings, MI 60 miles
May 3 1904, Illinois City, IL (Big River Gravel Series) 80 miles
May 10 Hungry Bear, Cable, WI 60 miles
June 7 KKD Gravel, Farmington, MN 80 miles
July 5 Riding Dirty Gravel, Viroqua, WI 63 miles
July 12 Burning Quad, Erie, IL (Big River Gravel Series) 80 miles
Aug 23 Coon Fork 40, Eau Claire, WI
Sept U.S. Gravel Nationals, LaCrescent, MN 88 miles
My Training Plan Needed More Intensity
Let’s talk about training for this gravel race.
I’ve been riding and racing my bike for four decades so even with the time off for the recovery from the heart issues, I still have a lot of endurance miles in my legs.
I knew that in order to compete at a higher level, I would need to do more intensity in addition to the endurance miles.
That meant more time in a Build phase, rather than Base, doing VO2max and threshold intervals.
So my training plan focuses on a mix of endurance miles and high-intensity intervals, with two strength sessions weekly to rebuild power and resilience.
Getting back into this level of training after heart surgery has been humbling, but every interval is a reminder of how far I’ve come.
Athletica.AI is My Training Plan
I use Athletica’s AI training platform both as an athlete and as a coach.
The simplicity of Athletica’s program, the science of Dr. Paul Laursen, and the adaptability of the plan has really worked to gradually improve my FTP over the winter.
My program is essentially doing 30/30s VO2max work on Tuesday, a low-cadence workout on Wednesday, endurance on Thursday, threshold intervals on Friday, long endurance on Saturday, and a long ride with tempo intervals on Sunday.
However, I often turn Sunday’s tempo into another long endurance day, depending on how I feel.
I use HRV4Training, so if I had the green light and I was feeling good, I’d do the tempo intervals.
I also include two days a week of full-body strength training.
VO2max Testing at Marquette University
To fine-tune my training approach, I’ve also leaned on advanced testing protocols like VO2max and PNOE assessments.
Right after the second ablation, once I was cleared to train by the doctors, I went to Marquette University to get a VO2max and lactate test done.
My second lactate threshold was around 190 watts and my VO2max was 41.5.
These were expected numbers but disappointing nonetheless.
Prior to the heart issues, my FTP was around 290 to 310, and Garmin estimated my VO2max in the high 50s.
I have no idea whether I’m going to be able to get back to where I was, but I believe I can improve with lots of specific training.
PNOE Testing at the Longevity Lab
I also did a test with my friend Phillip Godkin and the PNOE protocol.
Godkin owns Milwaukee Bike Fit Studio and is part owner of the Longevity Lab in Mequon, where we did the PNOE tests.
The PNOE test confirmed the importance of endurance riding for fat-burning, intense efforts to boost VO2max, and strength training for overall performance.
So essentially, a polarized approach to training.
In addition, the report recommended eating more protein, fruits, and vegetables, including greens, pumpkins, red cabbage, and adding specific supplements like turmeric, matcha, and coffee.
Endurance Athletes Learn to Adapt
Life throws curveballs—ventricular tachycardia was mine.
But the thing about endurance athletes?
We learn to adapt, rebuild, and persevere.
That’s why I’m racing gravel again.
As I tackle this first race of the Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour, I’m racing for more than personal goals—I’m racing to support kids with heart challenges.
Join me in making a difference by donating or sharing your own story of perseverance.
Three Things About Training for the Heart and Gravel Tour
1. Overcoming Setbacks & Making a Comeback
Through determination, structured training, and patience, I’m back at the starting line for my first gravel race in two years.
2. Training Smart for Performance & Recovery
My comeback training focuses on VO2max intervals, endurance miles, and strength work, using Athletica AI for structured coaching.
3. Racing for a Cause: Supporting Pediatric Heart Care
This journey is about more than just racing. I’m raising funds for pediatric heart care at the Children’s Hospital.
Get to Know Paul Warloski, Professional Coach for Everyday Athletes
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Paul Warloski is a:
USA Cycling Level 1 Advanced Certified Coach
RRCA Running Coach
Training Peaks Level 2 Coach
RYT-200 Yoga Instructor
Certified Personal Trainer
