Base Training

[RoadRaven]

WOW!! Not sure how you are going to take it but 4500km/year or about 375km/month of riding, you are doing really well.

Yeah, I'm pretty pleased with 4500km last year. My goal is to get to 5500km this year, and I am on track for that.

your husband riding 700km, it better be for the month. not per week. And I used to train about +300km/week but that was when I was in my early 30's. Now days I just toot around and ride 150-200km/week (on weeks when I can ride).

LOL.. It is per week.
At the moment he is taking it "easy" and will only get about 350km this week - his "A priority" race is next Thursday. Then he will have a couple of "light" weeks - maybe only 200km per week. And then he will be looking at upping it over summer to 700ish a week (2 rides per day, most days of the week).

I think it would be good for you to focus on some key races and do the base training, periodizing to hit your peak on the race day. Afterwards you can decide to do what you been doing or go with your new training plan.

Yup. I think this is the conclusion I have come to as well Cat, and its good to have confirmation as well from you all here. I have been so enthusiastic my training has been messy (like trying to focus on endurance and strength and power and speed all at once). I have tried to race every race.
I have read so often about base-training and periodisation. I have supported my partner through it. But it never really registered with me how/when I could do this. I am so pleased he has suggested this to me and will coach me through it.