I've been training to peak at a criterium series on the weekend of 5/31-6/1. The next event that I would really like to perform well at is at our Category Time Trial Championship event on 6/22. In between the time between the crit series and the TT championship there is a RR Championship/Crit Championship weekend on 6/7-6/8 that I'm not as concerned about performing at my best. Since I am going to focus on the TT championship, I had planned to start focussing my training after the 5/31-6/1 crit series back to SST, L4, and one day a week of L5 with no L6 or L7 training. I was wondering if this sounds like a good plan or should I add in more L5, L6, and L7 training?
FWIW, the training schedule that I have followed for my peak event is the one found in the back of the Training and Racing with a Power Meter book (scalled to my power zones, of course). This training plan has switched my focus from primarily SST/L4 work to more balanced training w/higher end work for the last couple of months.
I've been training to peak at a criterium series on the weekend of 5/31-6/1. The next event that I would really like to perform well at is at our Category Time Trial Championship event on 6/22. In between the time between the crit series and the TT championship there is a RR Championship/Crit Championship weekend on 6/7-6/8 that I'm not as concerned about performing at my best. Since I am going to focus on the TT championship, I had planned to start focussing my training after the 5/31-6/1 crit series back to SST, L4, and one day a week of L5 with no L6 or L7 training. I was wondering if this sounds like a good plan or should I add in more L5, L6, and L7 training?
Who knows for your specific circumstances but I'd have thought some reasonable relative volume of intensity of at least L5-6 should be maintained through a peaking period.
Itchy-Tichy said:
FWIW, the training schedule that I have followed for my peak event is the one found in the back of the Training and Racing with a Power Meter book (scalled to my power zones, of course). This training plan has switched my focus from primarily SST/L4 work to more balanced training w/higher end work for the last couple of months.
That's nice but is that plan suitable for your unique power profile and target events?
Thanks for the reply Alex. Basically I'm looking to see what other people would do if they were in the same situation as me. Would they keep working the higher end if looking to do well at a TT or focus more on L4 since the TT is a long 40k state championship.
Alex Simmons said:
Who knows for your specific circumstances but I'd have thought some reasonable relative volume of intensity of at least L5-6 should be maintained through a peaking period.
That's nice but is that plan suitable for your unique power profile and target events?
I've seen good improvement in both fitness and race results since I started on the plan. This is my first year of racing and I need help all throughout. I have changed the weekend portion of the plan at times to focus more on what I perceive are my greatness weaknesses, but overall I've followed it as it's been laid out.
I've seen good improvement in both fitness and race results since I started on the plan. This is my first year of racing and I need help all throughout. I have changed the weekend portion of the plan at times to focus more on what I perceive are my greatness weaknesses, but overall I've followed it as it's been laid out.
Fair enough, and good that you've adapted it to suit. Sometimes a half decent plan is better than none at all, especially if it motivates you to train more - like the Sandman says "Failure requires no preparation" 🙂
Thanks for the reply Alex. Basically I'm looking to see what other people would do if they were in the same situation as me. Would they keep working the higher end if looking to do well at a TT or focus more on L4 since the TT is a long 40k state championship.
The crit training should be good for sharpening the speed for the 25 mile time trail. If you're not worried about the road race then just use it as training and just follow the moves and have a dig if you have the legs.
I wouldn't call a 25 mile TT, long. If you get yourself in that state of mind you probably won't be doing yourself any favors for the event.
