mac_220 said:I'm totally sold on the virtues of FT training and the benefits over a 'traditional base' period. However I am struggling to get a grip on the principles of how to structure a training plan using this methodology. I'm really hoping that Dr Coggans book will clarify this for me, I have one on pre-order from amazon. I can't wait to receive it.
Unfortunately, it may nor may not - our goal was to write a "how to" book on using a powermeter, not really to describe how to structure the optimal training program. The latter is not only unique to each individual and their personal strengths and weaknesses, training background, competition goals, etc., but is also something covered by a number of other books out there, which we didn't want to try to replicate. So, while our book contains sample workouts and training programs, they aren't necessarily meant as something to be copied, and we don't make any specific recommendations, e.g., as to what sort of training you do when.
FWIW, I've already suggested to Hunter that we write another book, more along the lines of what I think you have in mind and similar to Martin and Coe's "Better Training for Distance Runners" (i.e., covering both the physiology underlying performance and laying out a systematic approach to training). At best that's a few years away, though, in part because it's going to take a while before power-based training is fully integrated into the mainstream. Once it is, writing the sort of book I have in mind will be much easier, as you wouldn't have to spend significant amounts of time covering the powermeter side of things, i.e., you could get right to the "meat".