Repeat Build,Peak,Race and strength issues questions

[llaunen]

Hi Lynda and welcome back from vacation – hope it was GREAT. I have questions about training plan(s). I am currently just finished week 8 of the build, peak race time crunched cat 1 XC plan. I'm in New Hampshire still surrounded by snow and ice… so I've been trainer bound for a long time. My first race is April 13th, which is exactly at the end of the plan I am on. Then I want to race most weekends until the 2nd week of July, when I will take a break and travel a bit, and likely not race again until Sept.  

What should I do for training in April – July? Repeat the current plan or switch to another, and if so, which? I do feel like being on the trainer has limited me in many ways. I hope to get outside soon, but not sure if that means a week, or more .

 

My other question is about strength work. I think this continues to be a limiter for me. I just did a fitness test as prescribed (except I have to do these on the trainer) and I continue to see marginal gains in the distance I can get done in 20 minutes, but my HR is also increasing – so I'm going further, but I'm working pretty hard too. I need to get stronger. I opted to get the time crunched plan because I thought I was doing ok with strength training on my own, but I”m wondering if made a poor choice and if I should go ahead and get the masters 40+ build, peak race plan which you mentioned had really specific strength stuff in it, and sort of blend the two? I think I need to get on top of this because getting dropped on hills is an issue for me. 

Thank you SO MUCH for all you do – I bet you had a lot of questions today! Loren

[Lynda]

If you are racing every weekend there is no room in your schedule for training or a training plan. Your week should look like race – rest – open – pre-ride – race and repeat. Repeating week 11 and 12 of the Build, Peak and Race plan works for this. 

You can build great fitness on the trainer. You will be surprised how strong you are when you hit the trails.

Like I said above, racing every weekend there is not room in your energy balance for a training plan.

Thanks for your nice words. I do have a ton of questions today! It is great having such a lot of work so I hope everyone can be patient with me until I get to them. 

Lynda

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