Training & Nutrition - training peaks winter training plans

anybody ever used the training peaks plans for winter training?

http://www.trainingpeaks.com/hunter/

i just set up a powermeter on my bike and this looks a whole lot cheaper than getting a real live coach

I've used Hunter Allen's Spring & Winter programs. When I first started training w a PM back in Aug of '06 I followed his program pretty closely and saw gains in all power ranges, from 5 secs to 1 hr FTP.

This past year I crafted my own plan, as I wanted to do well in specific events that demanded specificty and repeatability in certain energy zones. I took some of the workouts from the Spring program and adapted them to my needs.

I've also had the opportunity to discuss my training w select coaches and have received some good advice on how to interpret data; structure my training; et al. While the plans you can purchase on T Peaks are good for building all-around fitness and giving you some structure, they certainly can't replace a coach, especially when you are trying to target a specific event, or series of events, that have specific demands.

Hope that helps.

gene r

LT Intolerant -thanks for the feedback, it's exactly what i was looking to hear....i'll give his winter plan a try and go from there

I see that you have already decided on the plan. How is it going? I started the winter plan on the 3rd. The only thing that I am concerned about is the lack of total off days. I'm 2-weeks in and have not had a day off yet....

are these training plans customizable? i looked at the sample and i dont do the gym stuff or have a trainer. so, i've been hesitant to purchase one...

are these training plans customizable? i looked at the sample and i dont do the gym stuff or have a trainer. so, i've been hesitant to purchase one...

The pre-built plans are not. They are pretty specific on what you do each day and the off season plan has a lot of gym/inside work. The trainingpeaks.com monthly training plan is customizable and you place priorities on things you want to improve and can periodize to peak for certain events. I have never used it, but did look at the free-trial plans and they seemed reasonable.

I'm three weeks into a Training Peaks plan too. Coach Lynda's 24-hour PB. I'm adjusting to fit around life, but I'm trying to stick to it. Even though it called for 6.5 hours on the bike today and it was 38 degrees and super-windy. Next week is the easy/recovery week. Yippee!