Originally Posted by
MKIV987
So, (roughly speaking, of course) when does 10 hours/wk or so become the "minimum"? I planned my season using Friel's book and as it's only my second season I think I put my annual training hours at around 350. This puts my largest volume training weeks at 9 hours.
I know the whole lecture about overdoing it but it gets really tempting weeks like this where I have 4.5 hours scheduled and read about others considering 10 to be the minimum for competitive riders. I have a road race next weekend (CAT 5) but I'm just starting my base 3 period and I don't feel very strong, maybe for lack of high-intensity training since early fall.
Sometimes you just put the book down and ride. Your 10 hours and a seasoned racer's 10 hours will be different. It's good that you are following a plan but in my opinion it's overkill to follow Friel's plans as a Cat5. Don't take this as a put down. I just think that new racers should develop a feel for training and racing before following rigidly structured plans.