Winter Training Webinar

The wonders of technology. I got the chance to hear Hunter Allen present his views on winter training via a webinar. It cost $39 but I think it was money well spent. http://www.peakscoachinggroup.com/store/store.php/categories/buy-previous-webinars-216

Key points were:

• Most people dont train hard enough in the winter
• Carry on doing threshold + workouts, but do less often (1x 2weeks for VO2/anaerobic)
• Aim to charge up to 100% of capacity, so max of 2 hard workouts per week and one at weekend.
• Keep FTP up (even suggested one goal might be to improve)
• Do weights if appropriate (e.g. if over 50, so I will keep doing)
• Cross train
• Stretch/yoga
• Think of plyometrics if sprinting is a limiter (which it is for me). Suggested looking here: http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/plyometric.html

An e.g. week was

Mon/Wed/Fri weights and a bit of x-train cardio.

Tue 3x15 mins Sweetspot (88-93% FTP) (5 mins rest) then 5x1 minute fast pedalling

Thu 30 mins 110rpm, 30 mins normal rpm with 8s sprint every 2 mins in + 2 gears

Sat 3-4 hour ride 10 power bursts in hour 2 and 45min sweetspot hour 3

Sun 1-2 hours cardio on trainer.

So not exactly easy...but overall in line with my feeling that last winter the "base" months were a little too easy and I would have benefitted from doing some more intense training earlier. So will give ideas above a try this time round.