I have just loaded up the 20 week out season plan as I wanted to start building some speed because I probably going to do IM Texas. Then, I started getting some competitive pressure to participate in 70.3 Augusta Sept. So, here is what I was thinking about doing...since my bike is what really needs the work (and since I just came off of CdA and have a good fitness base in place):
I was going to just run the OS plan and add some volume to the Wed runs (for my long run) and then add a little volume to my Saturday ride (zone 3 time). Additionally, I was going to put in a little ride in maybe before the run on Sunday.
What do you guys think? Or should I just load up the HIM plan.
I did a "modified OS" back in April as I transitioned into the 12-week HIM plan. Specifically I: - Added swimming Mon/Fri - Changed the Thursday ride to be a VO2 max ride - Did the long Saturday ride specified in the HIM plan It worked well for me for the 4-5 weeks I did it, then I dropped into week #5 of the HIM plan and did that exculsively. As for results, ask me on July 17... cheers, Matt
FWIW, I'd say go OS if you want to build speed on the bike. I did something like 15 wks of Adv OS before switching to the last 6 weeks of a HIM plan for my A race this past September. The switch was tricky, but worth it. In fact, I thought I could have gotten by with less of the HIM stuff, so after a short break I just fired up the OS plan again and used a good chunk of it to train for my most recent HIM. Simply modified the last 3-4 weeks to add a little extra volume. Again, it worked out well.
There are some caveats. I believe the OS plans are most effective when doing most of the rides (at least the mid-week ones) on the trainer. Get the work done, no distractions, no temptation for junk miles. This may not be too appealing now that the weather is nice. You'll also need to figure out how to fit in some swims.
Comments
I was going to just run the OS plan and add some volume to the Wed runs (for my long run) and then add a little volume to my Saturday ride (zone 3 time). Additionally, I was going to put in a little ride in maybe before the run on Sunday.
What do you guys think? Or should I just load up the HIM plan.
Yeah, I was thinking about easing back in a little next week and the following, but nothing much. Then hitting it on the 16th for the weekend.
- Added swimming Mon/Fri
- Changed the Thursday ride to be a VO2 max ride
- Did the long Saturday ride specified in the HIM plan
It worked well for me for the 4-5 weeks I did it, then I dropped into week #5 of the HIM plan and did that exculsively.
As for results, ask me on July 17...
cheers,
Matt
There are some caveats. I believe the OS plans are most effective when doing most of the rides (at least the mid-week ones) on the trainer. Get the work done, no distractions, no temptation for junk miles. This may not be too appealing now that the weather is nice. You'll also need to figure out how to fit in some swims.