Biking/Running Training Program Do's and Don'ts (Suggestions Please)

[Catrin]

.....My understanding of the recovery week is to let your body recover from the buildup of the previous weeks. So it would be counterproductive to make your recovery week from one sport your hard week for the other. Your body never gets to rest and recover that way. You want to recover from both of them at the same time.

As a beginner I can't advise on training...

However, I CAN advise on this - just make sure you get enough recovery in so your body can rest and recover. I tried doing different things on different days - thus my poor legs rarely got a real rest. It took that for quite some time - but then pulled both hamstring and quad AND developed tendinitis in the same leg all at the same time. I am still hearing from my physical therapist how he has not seen this before. And my doctor. And my trainer. This is why I got such odd symptoms that had Knotted convinced I had a f***ed up disc. Our bodies will force us to rest if'en we don't allow it to

I know you are much wiser than I, but since the topic came up I thought I would mention it - don't be like me

[Pika]

oh don't get me wrong! It is definitely about the recovery- I just don't buy into the arbitrary 3 week period- definitely rest! but when you need it- you may need it in a week or maybe 5 weeks- my point is that if you had a way to measure your performance regularly like a simple step test you can see when you really need the rest and recovery and when you can continue to build.

[smurfalicious]

Oh, this is case for Training Peaks, for sure! It's $20 a month and totally worth every penny. You put in your races and dates, how many hours you can train a week, what your strengths are, etc and it spits out a training plan. It was wonderful to have during triathlon season, especially when I had to figure out how to squeeze in an A priority bike race in the mix. Right before my first tri. Check it out, they even offer a free training log if the paid plan isn't your thing. You can use it to lay out the workouts you have planned too: www.trainingpeaks.com

On a side note, I got to that A race and broke down in tears on the phone with my coach/best friend. I was so pooped from work, life and training that I couldn't decide to enter and crying seemed a logical solution. Went home, took a nap, then rode out to the brewery for lunch, came back and watched the race with friends. Sometimes, you need priorities.

[kacie tri-ing]

oh don't get me wrong! It is definitely about the recovery- I just don't buy into the arbitrary 3 week period- definitely rest! but when you need it- you may need it in a week or maybe 5 weeks- my point is that if you had a way to measure your performance regularly like a simple step test you can see when you really need the rest and recovery and when you can continue to build.

OK! That makes sense. I was wondering how you trained for IMC without any recovery periods! I would not have made it

Also, those recovery periods are not always when you perfectly plan them! Sometimes your body decides when it is time to back off! It will tell you if you listen!