A few thoughts:
- There are different approaches to load management during a build period, some do a pre-planned rest every x weeks approach, others ramp their load at a sustainable rate for much longer periods before taking a break. The more traditional Bompa style periodization approach is pretty safe in terms of making sure you don't over train and it does allow you to feel relatively fresh fairly often. FWIW, I planned my builds that way for years but these days work towards a sustainable CTL ramp rate of 3 to 5 points per week and rarely take easier weeks until something like business travel of family obligations forces extra rest which seems to happen often enough but I've sustained steady builds for as much as 10 to 12 weeks straight.
- If the point is to build base and build sustainable power then retaining 'snap' in your legs really shouldn't be your primary goal. Yeah that's pretty important during race periods or even pre-race prep periods when you want to hit your high end work hard. But during a December build period snap really shouldn't be your primary focus as much as building a strong base and solid fitness in terms of sustainable power. I don't know how you're approaching your hammefest rides, but at this time of year I don't worry about 'winning' the city limit sprints, I still contest them on feisty team rides but top form and being the fastest guy in December isn't my goal, solid building is my goal.
- Sustained TSB of negative 30 means you've ramped pretty fast. Ramping at 5 CTL points per week isn't unusually high but you might want to back that down just a bit but still continue to build rather than introduce rest weeks where CTL will drop.
Bottom line, if performance on those hammerfest rides or feeling fresh and snappy at this time of year is important to you then either back off on the ramp rate a bit or plan some easier weeks periodically. Otherwise find the ramp rate you can sustain, work at that rate for a while, take some easier weeks when life interrupts or come up for air after you've been on the build for a while and feel the need for extra rest. So basically it comes down to a combination of what load building and load management philosophy you buy into and how important it is for you to feel snappy and ready for short hard competitive efforts at this time of year.
Good luck,
-Dave
