Help Me Plan a Big Bike Week

jmoss70

 Yep, read the Wiki on this.  Good info there.  But need a little more help.  Here's the details...

• Five days in St. George with Family (need to be somewhat reasonable on time)
• I need some ABP time - I skipped ABP this past week because I was skiing with the boss

How much running (if any) would you do during this stretch?

Where would you throw in an ABP ride?

 

danjohnston

 Jim, I am in need of similar input. In a few weeks I will be doing my first ever Big Bike Week. I have a six day window where I am looking to ride as much as possible as the next week I will be out of town and unable to ride. My main goal is to accumate some volume to help me with the transition from the OS to my IM plan. 

One specific question I have is what are the pros and cons of dividing up long rides in a BBW into half the mileage in the am and half in the pm?

Also I am curious on people's recommendations on how often and how much to run during a BBW?  Thanks!

[Deleted User]

 I just finished a BBW two weeks ago. My thoughts:

• I didn't do any running at all, even though I had plenty of time to throw in a run. I feel that it's counterproductive to run when you're already tired and need to rest/recover for more hours of long riding later in the week. I felt like I could run in the first few days, but in the end I was pretty happy with my decision not to.
• My intensity throughout the week as around IF~0.70. I felt that I held back just a tad, but I was still pretty tired and spent by the end of the week. I only threw in ABP work when I had to do things like climb hills (and it was pretty hilly!)
• My BBW was at cycling camp, so all my mileage was done during the mornings. I feel there's a lot more benefit to be gained in doing a continuous 4 hour ride (as opposed to say, a 2hr AM and 2hr PM ride) in terms of endurance, mental toughness, and learning how to manage yourself for extended durations. Besides, when you're showered, changed, fed, and rested after a morning ride, it takes a lot of willpower and admin time to do that again for a second time later in the day. 

Coach Patrick

Great input, Asnon, thanks!!! Yes to bike only (it's a bike week!!! your run won't go anywhere, I promise), and yes to one longer session vs split sessions.....split sessions are more beneficial for run volume increases in my experience. Feel free to post your weeks here and we can give you feedback!!!