MDcatV

For those that periodize/peak, how do you know you're there, how long do you generally stay in top form, and how do you know when you're falling off the edge?

currand

I've not personally had good luck with peaking... When I taper I go to the line feeling sluggish and tired and my numbers seem to agree. However, this is only my second season following a structured program and I've only attempted 3 peaks.

As for periodization, it works well for me. I've done two builds focusing on VO2 and one on force and by all measures those limiters responded exactly as predicted. In contrast I have not focused at all on FTP and that number has stagnated. My two cents...

currand

Let me add this tidbit in from Joe Friel's blog:

https://www2.trainingbible.com/joesbl...weak-form.html

The synopsis being a reduction of less than 10% in fitness (as measured in CTL) is an acceptable loss during a peak/race period.

ldesfor1@ithaca

I organized a two peak season a la Friel, an early season race block of 3 weeks and a peak for Fitchburg SR the first week in July. Now I'm just holding onto any gained fitness and trying to have some fun while staying fit for some TT's and crits.

I knew I peaked for the SR because my LT power numbers were really shooting up in an almost unbelievable way. My best 20' power was 353w before my 7 week peak cycle before the SR. I did 393 (6 weeks later) in the first workout of the "peak" phase. I've also held this form nicely for about 3.5 weeks. I'm sure I'm falling off it a bit, but I've got no numbers to show for it.
Now I'm feeling like it's time for a bit less structure, so this may be my brain telling me it's time for a bit of R+R, which I'm taking.

But this is my first experience peaking and it went great.



-L

NomadVW 

Two years of periodization from me.

When the numbers increase almost inexplicably and yet the fatigue isn't there. The legs just feel "right." That's how I've known. I peaked about a week late in spring 2007. I peaked right on time fall '07. I peaked WAY early this past spring (due mostly do to bringing in intensity too fast after my move, I believe). I'll let you know in the next week or so how the fall peak goes

2-3 weeks - 1 month max - that's the longest I've felt "on top."

MDcatV

good description, I'm on the slippery slope of the periodization right now after timing my peak perfectly for the district crit and rr. unfortunately, the rr was postponed until september

good luck at the va age graded sunday. I'm not going to be able to get out there. look for those battley harley characters and be in their moves, for sure, if they're there, they'll be like csc on the climbing stages of the tdf.

NomadVW 

I'm hoping, if I timed this right, that this weekend will begin the "on top" feel good time. I feel like I've mixed my volume and intensity right. This weekend will be - hopefully - a hard 63 miles of racing followed by 3 days on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then if all goes well, I'll be smack in the middle of the peak for Page Valley at the end of the month.

Or... I could crash and burn and just go back to 2500km months

It's a real bummer the move of the MABRA RR. I can only imagine the schedules that screwed and the frantic emails to coaches all over the region. Crap deal.

waterrockets 

It looks like I held my 90% fitness for about 2 months. I had no idea where the peak was going to be, but it feels pretty good letting it go, surprisingly (never periodized before).

Red indicates race wins. I placed in the money other times in the middle.

NomadVW 

This was my spring:



You can see where I hope to be going right now....

currand

I'm a little nervous myself. In June my CTL was 100 (okay 99.8) not its down around 71 due to some poor planning on my part and an illness. Any chance I can get back to mid 90s by the state road race on 8/30?

Subculture, any chance you wanna ride domestique in the 4's? We can sign you up under an alias.

EvilGoodGuy

My peak/race phase is July/August (I cut volume in half, I'm either riding/racing all out or not riding at all). The first week, I cut my volume in half (15hours per week to 7ish), I feel like s**t. The following week, every effort seems lighter/easier. My motivation/mood improves dramatically. I no longer feel ravenous. The quality of my sleep improves. The residual day to day muscle fatigue is gone. I can ussually hold my form for 3 weeks; at that time, I do a sort of crash cycle by bringing my training upto 20 - 25 hours per week until transition phase in early October. At that time, I take a two week break at 5 hours per week.

NomadVW 

I rode 19½ hrs last week. 8¾ hrs over Sat and Sunday. 7 day average of 168.22 TSS/day, total 1177.51 TSS for the week.

Took yesterday off. I went to the group ride today. First I rode 1 hr 45 min endurance pace, during which I was constantly forcing myself to pull back because 270-290 felt like 245-250. Then I spent 1 hr hammering like mad and attacking. Probably could have finished off the front alone in a break, but sat up to get some more attack/response time.

FTP has been set at 345, but today's group ride was 1 hr 5 min pNorm @ 344.

It's almost like something "popped" and power showed up. That's how I felt over the weekend. After a nearly 500 TSS weekend, I should have been pretty toast today. Even after the group ride my legs felt remarkably spry on the ride home (~15 min). Recovery is quick, power is plentiful, and I feel physically, emotionally, mentally fresh. It's a giddy feeling.

That's how I know. Now to hold it there for 3 weeks. That's as long as I need it.

Racer Ex 

Red dots are the wins. I managed a strong 2.5 months, I might have been able to hold it a bit longer but I was just toasted mentally, which usually is the first sign. I fall out of the good routines I've built up, don't take the time to prep my gear, Etc. The physical signs are much longer recovery periods; my muscles stay sore for days. Eventually I can't recover at all if I keep trying to push it.

MDcatV

youve won more races than I've participated in this year

cmh

Get off the couch and do something with your summer, you bum.