10 months to a competition, what to do

Just one on the skiing. It is a good intermediate exercise for the legs but don't rely on it as a subsitute for high level aerobic exercise. Generally the duration of a run down the hill is too short. XC skiing is another matter.

That's right. Where I'm from 'skiing' means explicitly XC skiing. Downhill is downhill or alpine skiing.

I'd schedule some much earlier races in March April. Build up to those, race then, rebuild back up to A race.

10 months is a crazy long time to prep for one event. Not to mention putting so many eggs in one basket. With more races (even more A races), you have a lot more possibilities for both success, improvement, and fun.

Thanks. There will be preparing races both long 3+ hour and more intense one hour races. They won't get any priority or tapering so I consider them to be part of the training for the A. No racing before May though.

Hey,

Sounds like you've got a solid plan for your A race next season! I agree that varying your training can help with motivation and overall fitness. As for the Friel guidelines, it's interesting to see the shift in development priorities throughout the different phases. Aerobic capacity in the early base phase might seem unusual, but it's crucial for building a strong foundation.

During the late base phase, focusing on lactate threshold will be key to maintaining a high intensity without fatiguing too quickly. Make sure to incorporate both long, steady rides and shorter, more intense intervals to target various aspects of your fitness.

In the build and peak phases, keep pushing your aerobic capacity and strength, but don't neglect your lactate threshold. It's the balance of these elements that will lead to optimal performance on race day.

Happy training and best of luck in your A race! ‍♂️