So, after running the wheels off the bus trying really hard to follow a training plan twice in a row, I am thinking about trying something very different for 2019.
What i used to do is identify competition dates that would be considered "A", "B", "C" etc., and then insert some pre-packaged training plans into TrainingPeaks roughly based around those competition dates. I used some judgment in choosing plans that seemed to match up with what has worked for me in the past, and i would move around some workouts based on work, travel, other plans, etc., but i generally accepted the idea that discipline required pretty detailed planning.
However, the plans didn't really match up that well with me all the time, even though they sometimes did. For example, i think i tend to come into form on the quick side, meaning that your average "Build/Peak/Race" plan is too long and includes a couple weeks of just grinding gears plus a too early peak / crash. Other times i would find myself still really raring to go during a programmed "rest" week, or really effing tired during a non-rest week. Other times within the week I would just find i didn't have it, and you can always impose flexibility on a plan by moving workouts around, but what about situations where say your body is ready to work, but the workout you have already rigidly programmed for that day isn't the right one? Finally, structured training i think has a disadvantage in that the power targets end up inadvertently imposing a mental limitation on your achievement, plus the fact that above FTP, %FTP (which most plans use) is not that great a way to prescribe intensity because everyone's physiology in that range is different.
This year i am going to do an experiment where i don't use any training plans at all, other than a broad, macro plan. The steps will be:
1. Determine A competition dates
2. Begin season by working on aerobic endurance (and weights), with no real plan other than a conservative TSS target for each week, building each week until i feel tired, riding on days that i don't feel tired and resting on days that i do - I am going to see if HRV works to guide this
3. 12 weeks out i'll start general prep - shorter, harder intervals (including VO2 max), same principle (ride when not tired, build as long as not tired) - a couple of things could help guide this, including HRV, WKO4 optimized intervals and a blood oxygen sensor like Humon Hex
4. 6 weeks out i'll start doing specific race prep - e.g., MTB race starts, MTB race simulations (just riding as hard as you can go on an off road course for 90 mins), same principle (ride when not tired, build as long as not tired)
5. do a peak / taper about 2 weeks out from any A race (there won't be many)
I tried the free trial of Xert and i liked the concept--it tries to build a profile and tell you what you should work on in order to get wher eyou want to be, but it still uses a model to predict how tired you should be and how fit you should be, rather than of course being able to tell you where you actually are.
With all my gadgets and data, I think i rather have the resources to do this myself, totally dynamic, totally based on how I actually am at that point in time rather than based on a plan or model.
I'll let you guys know how it goes.
What i used to do is identify competition dates that would be considered "A", "B", "C" etc., and then insert some pre-packaged training plans into TrainingPeaks roughly based around those competition dates. I used some judgment in choosing plans that seemed to match up with what has worked for me in the past, and i would move around some workouts based on work, travel, other plans, etc., but i generally accepted the idea that discipline required pretty detailed planning.
However, the plans didn't really match up that well with me all the time, even though they sometimes did. For example, i think i tend to come into form on the quick side, meaning that your average "Build/Peak/Race" plan is too long and includes a couple weeks of just grinding gears plus a too early peak / crash. Other times i would find myself still really raring to go during a programmed "rest" week, or really effing tired during a non-rest week. Other times within the week I would just find i didn't have it, and you can always impose flexibility on a plan by moving workouts around, but what about situations where say your body is ready to work, but the workout you have already rigidly programmed for that day isn't the right one? Finally, structured training i think has a disadvantage in that the power targets end up inadvertently imposing a mental limitation on your achievement, plus the fact that above FTP, %FTP (which most plans use) is not that great a way to prescribe intensity because everyone's physiology in that range is different.
This year i am going to do an experiment where i don't use any training plans at all, other than a broad, macro plan. The steps will be:
1. Determine A competition dates
2. Begin season by working on aerobic endurance (and weights), with no real plan other than a conservative TSS target for each week, building each week until i feel tired, riding on days that i don't feel tired and resting on days that i do - I am going to see if HRV works to guide this
3. 12 weeks out i'll start general prep - shorter, harder intervals (including VO2 max), same principle (ride when not tired, build as long as not tired) - a couple of things could help guide this, including HRV, WKO4 optimized intervals and a blood oxygen sensor like Humon Hex
4. 6 weeks out i'll start doing specific race prep - e.g., MTB race starts, MTB race simulations (just riding as hard as you can go on an off road course for 90 mins), same principle (ride when not tired, build as long as not tired)
5. do a peak / taper about 2 weeks out from any A race (there won't be many)
I tried the free trial of Xert and i liked the concept--it tries to build a profile and tell you what you should work on in order to get wher eyou want to be, but it still uses a model to predict how tired you should be and how fit you should be, rather than of course being able to tell you where you actually are.
With all my gadgets and data, I think i rather have the resources to do this myself, totally dynamic, totally based on how I actually am at that point in time rather than based on a plan or model.
I'll let you guys know how it goes.