2005trek1200

ok, so planning the ole race schedule for this year and wondering when others peak? not month or anything like that, but do you decide to peak for something like a state championship or for another race that matches your area of focus that, perhaps, other are not training so hard for (thereby increasing you chances of a higher place/win). Case in point I am more of a climber and focus on road races, but am considering not peaking for the IL State Road Race championship, but for another race. Subjective question of course, just wondering how others are strategizing...

carpediemracing 

I peak as early as I can. Apparently I've never really peaked, and I've never really burnt out (at least physiologically) - I guess I don't train or ride enough.

Usually I aim to have my first good races in the first week of March. My form steadily declines until the end of the Bethel Spring Series (too tired to train until end of week, then it's race time again, so I tend to gain weight and get slower as the series moves along). I take a mental break in mid April, tool around a bit, then start racing/riding in earnest. Last year I raced until my first ever serious crash in August. Normally I'd race until Sept, then I usually chill.

The year I had my best riding I trained through the winter for Belgium (3 weeks in March? I forget). I was doing 2 long rides a week (100+ miles, back in the LSD days). I was the strongest I ever was when I got back, and I raced until the Bobby Phillips race around Thanksgiving (and drove 5+ hours each way for that crit/circuit race), racing 1-4 times a weekend. I thought for sure I should be burnt out mentally and physically but I didn't take much time off for the next 5-6 years (I'd take time off only if I was so sick I couldn't ride, usually 1-2 weeks a year).

I rarely trained in any structured way, back then or now. I'd much rather do a hard ride/race than train. Back then I rode hard on Tues (race or sprints). I'd usually ride a bit on Friday, short, then race Sat/Sun. And repeat ad nauseum.

Last year I raced Sunday, hard group ride Mon, race Tue, race Wed, off Thu, Fri, easy or race Sat, repeat. This year I plan on doing the same but race Thu too.

cdr

gsteinb

Every weekend.

grolby

I don't really know yet. I doubt I'll be focused enough really hit a razor-sharp peak. Too many distractions. But just based on time, it looks like that following a periodization schedule like that in the Training Bible would have me peaking pretty much just in time for the TN state RR and crit. So... maybe I should target them? Whatever. My goals this year are to stay healthy and get fit. I'm not going to burn myself up trying to hit a set of races with max fitness. If I do come into a big race or two with good form, that'll be nice, though.

Grumpy McTrumpy

hoping for two peaks this season.

first one early for all of the spring races, second one late august or so.

tspek

Fox River Grove?

jwible

I peaked about 15 years ago.

YMCA

after my wife

Grumpy McTrumpy

how many times?

urbanknight

Same here.

slim_77

Just after 8:30, when the caffeine really settles in.

slim_77

seriously, I stay in base till the race schedule starts to take shape. I no pro, and I've never properly organized peak, but I'd go by 1) races you'd like to do well in...or, a period of time you know you can race alot...read: early/mid July for Superweek.

jwible

Two days after graduation trying to verbalize our feelings late a night at a bar all a friend and I could get out was "We school goez no more." That was pretty much the moment that defined my peak.

mike868y

This year, Battenkill - April 11. Switching up my program so i stay in base right up until the end of february (2 build cycles) then start adding in some intensity.

txvintage

For me it was around 1989. It's been a steady taper ever since.

Peaks are a moving target with each year and depends on what your goals are. It's different if you are chasing points, looking for podiums, or looking to work for your team mates because you are old, broken down, and peaked in 1989.

ericm979

I follow Friel's season planning scheme. The last couple years I have aimed for two peaks- one for my favorite race, the Everest Challenge, in the late summer and one in late spring for a fun local race in the town I grew up in. I'm not good enough to be concerned with nationals, districts or points, or winning for that matter, so I am free to concentrate on the races I enjoy.

This year I want to do well at three races, and the first two are only about two months apart. That's not long enough for a complete cycle. So I am trying to have a mini peak for the first. We'll see how that goes.

Creakyknees

I don't, not really. I can sit and plan a 4 week cycle toward an event, but work or life will get in the way.

Greg180

I don't know why but I love this guy...

2005trek1200

early season, though it may not work into the schedule, id like to peak for Leland (instead of hillsboro) and then second peak one of the raod races during superweek (prolly the tour of holy hill or the long lake front road race).

this is the program i am following, my first year riding/racing full out and follwoing a program like this as well. yeah, im not good enough to be in contention to win the IL CUP so thats why i am considering subbing other races that are not in the cup for ones that are in the cup (ex: riding the leland kermasse instead of the hillsbro-roubiex, which is a cup event

JPradun

Since you're a local, you should know the dates.

2 years ago: for superweek
last year: tour of america's dairyland
this year: collegiate nationals in Madison on May 9.