Real world periodization schema for AG athletes.
Its championship race season (Kona, cycling worlds, Xterra Worlds, etc). An exciting time to be an endurance athletes.
But a cold, dark time looms; winter.
As a Maine based coach and athlete I have had to embrace and ENJOY training during this time. And as I plan out my athletes training schemas, I use some real world events to lay out the foundation of “when to, how to, why to” do certain things.
NOTE : if you are racing a full cross season or an IM in late November, this schema will be adjusted a bit.
Time frame:
-from last race to Thanksgiving week is the “use it up” period. A time to ENJOY the fall. Train as much as your life allows and find some low stress races (5ks, CX, train runs).
-Thanksgiving week. This is a great time for an end of season rest period. The holiday falls midweek and usually involves lots of family and food-drink. Go enjoy it and take 5-7 days OFF. (maybe a post feast brisk walk is all you do….).
-now we are at 12/1 for the most part (+/- a few days) and we lay down 3 solid weeks of General Prep. This involves some strength work, some specific sport early season (ie very aerobic) sessions and cross-training as you like.
-this gets us to ~Christmas – New years period. Here we plan some low stress, but consistent training. We shoot to do something EVERY day. But with low structure and no massive time zapping sessions.
-Now we are at Jan 2 and we are full on into 2016 prep. At this point we can train consistently and in a focused incremental manner until our first races of the year.
Hopefully this helps you navigate the tricky period over the next 2.5 months and sets you up for a FAST 2016.
