2 vs 3 macrocycles of training a year

Training Advice/Discussion General

WOLFMAN

2 years ago 09/13/2021 11:11am EDT

So my idea has been to go from 2 training cycles a year to 3 in order to avoid going flat and feeling dead like I typically do at the end of a cycle. Usually mentally and physically im well spent and feel undermotivated by the end. Any advice? Been havin this issue for many years and really only worked out well a few times. advice is welcome.

Typical I do some higher mileage (80-90 for most of it maybe a few at 100) for a bit before adding in workouts. I keep the easy miles VERY easy in the high 7s which for a 32ish 10k is decent.

I do 2 workouts a week, usually 1 more speedwork wise and another at tempo and a long run of 15-18 miles until it is time to taper.

2 years ago 09/13/2021 11:20am EDT

re: louiswolfman

I'm right with you there. I think three is better. My macrocycles are mostly built around a peak race like a marathon, I think 3 is best, doesn't have to be a marathon each time, could be a different goal race.

Typically the mileage builds quickly and by 2 or 2.5 months in I'm already at a very high mileage, and holding that for another few months is so much if you're doing 2 six month macrocycles in a year. It's much more manageable to have that buildup of 3-4 months, you're still hungry the entire time to get in the training, and then short break, then you do it again for a few months. I think it leads to better incremental improvements across the career as well. People get flat at the end of such a long macrocycle, which why doing one big year is also frowned upon, training straight through for 12 months. Four months is probably the sweet spot. Take a week off, and then a few weeks of building, and then a few weeks taper on the tale end, makes it so you are doing two big months of training at a time and it's more manageable mentally and physically to reduce injury.

2 years ago 09/13/2021 11:41am EDT

re: I think 3 is better

Yeah Im thinking about doing a short indoor season this year, outdoor to road half in spring and then a fall racing schuedule next year right now.

Maybe like:

November-February (indoor oriented)

Late Feb through July (outdoor) bigger break at end

July through early november (half oriented)

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