pvolb wrote:
Hey Chad,
Wanted to say thanks for the awesome platform and support you all provide. From 2001-2005 I was consistently a 2:15-2:19 HIM cyclist, as I posted above. Due to work obligations and other 'stuff' getting in the way, I was off of the bike for the better part of 10 years. I got back in 6 months ago with TR and rode a 2:16 this weekend. I questioned the intensity and structure of the plans with you a few weeks back, but I definitely wanted to say I'm pleased with the progression so far and am looking forward to scrapping another (hopeful) 10 minutes over the next few years!!!
I've signed up for Galveston 70.3 on 4/2/17, what do you suggest between now and then? I did the HIM High Volume plan, and I'll probably tweak that slightly should I do it again (less rides of 4 plus hours, etc.), but overall I was pretty happy. After Galveston I'm going to do 2-3 other HIMs and then IMNC in the fall. I should note that during my break from cycling (and swimming) over the past 10 years, I did several ultra marathons and ran quite a bit (hitting over 100mpw 30 plus times), so general endurance is not a problem at all. I'm thinking of hitting sweet spot base beginning in a few weeks, but after that I'm kind of uncertain of what to do before I start my build/specialty to the season. Also, I've got the support/time to put in the training - wife and I don't have/aren't planning on kids, and I've got a stable 40hr week with no commute. Wife is supportive as well.
Again, awesome product. I would not have pushed myself as hard structuring the training myself. A power meter plus TR is the best money I've spent on triathlon related products outside of the bike itself.
Good info and great job! Glad to hear things are progressing nicely.
Considering your ample base, the specialty plan you've completed already and the timeline for Galveston, I'd say you're in line for a re-build of some duration before repeating the HIM High Vol plan (with your modifications, which by the way, I think are sensible considering the state of your aerobic base as well as your level of experience in both training and racing).
It looks like you have about 30 weeks or so, assuming you keep things low-key for a couple weeks following the completion of your latest specialty plan. Minus the 8 weeks you'll devote to your next iteration of the half-distance plan, you've got a lot of time to play with and while base training may not be of primary importance, it might be a good way to loosen the leash for a while and let your body recuperate from the high-intensity work and racing. Buuuut...
You also have a full-distance in 8 weeks and other halfs scheduled as well, so it's really sounding like a matter of prepping for each event and effectively peaking, backing things off, peaking, backing off which can get complex and run you way down if you aren't careful. So prioritize your events keeping Galveston at the head of the list and utilize portions of build & specialty plans to time out such that you're as rested/fresh as you feel the need to be dependent on the importance of each interim event.
Personally, I'd focus on Galveston and mostly train through the other events with something along the lines of 4 weeks of build (either half depending on desired TSS) and then either the first half or second half of a distance-specific specialty plan based on how fresh you're looking to be, e.g. first half with only a recovery week for lower-priority races vs the second half with a 1- or 2-week taper for more important events or ones where you're carrying more fatigue than is reasonable.
Best of luck!
Head Coach at TrainerRoad
Co-host of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast