Periodization anyone?

[maillotpois]

I build rest into my build weeks in addition to taking an easy recovery week every 3-4 weeks. I work 40+hours a week, so my schedule is pretty compressed. I only have time for 2 rides during the work week. That said, I am training for ultra distance and the schedule has worked so well that tue 250 miler I did a week and a half ago was phenomenal at over 16 mph average.

So my "build" weeks look like this:

T/Th - 90 minute high intensity intervals (power based, on computrainer with my bike

M/W/F - off

Saturday - 75 miles plus. I built up to the 400k by doing centuries in Nov/Dec, 200ks in Jan, 300ks in Feb and the 400k this month. These rides are all training for a series of very hard double centuries I am doing.

A rest week is the same format with lower intensity and distance for all workouts.

YMMV, but this has worked well for me. I also have focused a lot on improvin the quality of my nutrition - whole food, plant and lean meat focused.