Originally Posted by
wens
But what about a new racer with an endurance sport background?
Originally Posted by
Racer Ex
That being said as a beginning racer you need to learn how to race, and unless you have an extensive athletic background you're going to keep improving physically, so training for steady progression will serve you better for the first year or two than trying to peak for a specific event.
And schedule at least two days a week for either a very light ride or a full day off. Rest/recovery is crucial to progress and in preventing burnout.
I think Racer Ex explained it well.
The problem with the OP training to peak for a specific event, is that until he's got some races under his belt, he isn't going to know what he needs to train for, both as an individual, and to perform well in a particular race. It's like if you were being told to get ready to "paint something". What? I dunno. What kind of paint? I dunno. Colors? Not really sure. But you'll be painting it March 30th.
Unless you're a genetic freak with a sports background, the first 2+ years are like community college. Figure out what you want to do, what you're good and not good at, and get smarter (stronger).
Structure is fine, and if the OP is asking for it, he wants it. But periodization at this point can be pretty counter-productive and disappointing; you can schedule training without an "A" race and do quite well.
I'd suggest doing a little bit of everything, both in your training and racing. It's as likely as not you'll be surprised at where your skill set leads you; I figured way wrong on where I'd excel.