I hope I’m not asking one of those special-snowflake, only-applicable-to-me questions… but I think others must have dealt with this.
The way my calendar lays out, I have 3 races I target per year…they are two “B” races that bookend an “A” race. This year I am adding another B-type race that in early June, which is kind of specific – it’s a triathlon that that is very unique, kind of sprint-distance and I’ll really just be focusing on the bike…I’m mostly doing it for fun, but will be mixing in a bit more jogging and SUP paddling just to be prepped for it.
ANYWAY… I am coming to the end of my SSB LV1 program after this week, and then after a week of recovery riding (as prescribed) I’m scheduled to begin SSB LV2, and then was planning on moving on to General Build and then on to Rolling Road Race leading up to my A event - but I would have a 6 week gap between the end of Rolling-Road race, and my “A” event.
However, after listening to many of the podcasts (here and others) I’ve heard @chad use the term “the broader the base, the higher the build” and knowing that SSB LV2 really starts to amp up the intensity, would it be beneficial to repeats SSB LV1 before moving on to SSB LV2? Would that meaningfully broaden my base?
Before answering (thanks in advance for any replies, btw) please keep in mind that when I do low-volume programs, I either extend workouts or mix-in outside rides to that my weekly TSS usually falls in the 350 - 500 range.
For those still with me – here’s how my calendar would look:
- SSB LV1 – in progress now, ends Dec. 9th
- SSB LV1 – this would be the potential repeat…ends Jan. 19th
- SSB LV2 – ends March 2nd
- General Build LV – ends April 27th
- “B” Race - BARRY ROUBAIX - April 13th
- SSB LV2 – ends June 8th (thinking of repeating SSB LV2 here to accommodate run, paddle training but maintain intensity)
- “B” Race - M22 CHALLENGE Triathlon - June 9th (2.5mile run / 17 mile bike / 2.5 mile paddle)
- Rolling Road Race LV – end Aug. 2nd
- “A” Race - CHERRY ROUBAIX - Aug. 4th
My other “B” race is THE ICEMAN COMETH MTB race the first weekend in November. But if I make it to my “A” race totally on plan, I’m sure I will take a couple weeks off before embarking on a re-build for that race.
Thanks to anyone who has made it this far – for those with much more experience than me, this all boils down to whether or not repeating SSB LV1 is beneficial to build a broader base to push my “peak” back to early August? If not, I’d love any suggestions and rationale if you’ve done something like this before.
Thanks all!