Subject: RE: Constructing an anual training plan with a long prep and base phase pacificera - 2009-12-30 11:30 AM Hi all,
I just changed my A Race to IMCoz. That race is now 48 weeks away. I was planning on doing a much earlier IM and am now in the 5th week of a 24 week plan. I am in the base training phase.
The question is, what should I do with my extra training time in 2010?
Should I just cycle through my base training a few times? Go completely unstructured for a while? Focus on strength training?
Is doing 20 weeks of base with a few short races thrown in a good idea?
Thanks for any advice!
David
If I were you, I would pick a sport of the three that is your weakness and do a 4-8 week focus on it, the other two maintenance mode. When you get done, at the end of a period schedule a race to measure the progress. Than bring the second weakest into focus 4-8 weeks, follow the same with some way of measuring the progress. Also focus within in a reason on some advanced abilities like VO2 max within a reason, LT work in small volumes as neither is your race specific training. Work on those a little mixed in with some base training. Keep the base work going. In my experience, not knowledge, but more personal experience, after about 16 weeks of base training I run into a phase of diminishing returns. I become only good at that "one speed" that I can hold for ever, but it becomes hard to speed up. Make sure you mix it as I mentioned. Also focus on economy in all 3. A lot of free speed to be gained there. Many athletes are inefficient in their sport movements and technique. Work a lot in that area. That is a foundation ability. Than, start with IM focus plan at some point that you judge is sufficient time for you to reach performance goals. |