im training for a fondo in sept 26. i started my custom plan in february of ‘25 so its a full 3 cycles of base (12wks), build (8wks) and specialty (8wks). im currently in the 1st week of base 2 in the 2nd cycle. im wondering when a good time to take a week or two off would be. cycle 3 starts in april 26 and i figured that would be a bit too close to the fondo for an extended break. i was more thinking christmas this year/january would be better but that falls in the middle of the build blocks. im not sure how to fit the break into my plan. should i just do it in the next few weeks while im still in cycle 2 base? what about a week off now and another week off in april? ive got 41 weeks of training in my legs and other 50 or so until my event. thanks for any input.
I think this makes sense. You’re still a full year out. You’re gonna want at least 2 breaks. But sometime around now is great so you can go into the winter recovered and motivated.
Though if this makes more sense with your life then do this. Like if you travel a lot or want to spend time with your family then this would be perfect. I wouldn’t worry that it falls in the middle of a build block. You should be able to adjust your plan that far out to accommodate it. Or maybe you have a bunch of time off work and will be able to ride a lot over the christmas period. Maybe consider a week or two of volume and then a down period following that.
Do you have any other events between now and then? Because if you do then maybe a break after that would be good too. Target the other event (even if it’s sort of a B event to test pacing, fueling, etc) and then take a break after.
There are going to be different opinions on planning train duration. However Joe Friel recommends annual training plans for non-professional athletes about 6 months long, with another transition period post-race before the next A race. I’d follow that model and do a two-week break/transition period that ends 6 months before your event date. This will also give you a good opportunity to assess how your previous 4 months have gone, make any adjustments required or desired, and avoid mental burnout.
Alternatively, depending on your lifestyle, goals, and fitness approach, you could focus on gym strength through the holidays, and then refocus on cycling training in the new year. (Pro tip: do not do intense gym training and intense cycling training concurrently)
would it make sense to just take my recovery week off at the end of this 4wk base block? will my plan adjust accordingly? or perhaps the week after recovery so its more of a two week break from hard work?
This far out it doesn’t really matter on the exact timing of the break IMO. If you’re not dragging yourself to the end of the block then it’s probably alright to get to the end. But if you can feel the fatigue mounting and like you’re mentally approaching a wall then I’d just take it now.
I can’t say how the plan will adjust but I think there’s a way to manually add vacations or breaks to the plan. (I don’t personally use TR at the moment)
But I don’t think a 2 week break is a bad idea. I just started back after 3 weeks off (it was planned to be 2 but I had a trip scheduled on the third week) and it was a great way to get ahead on chores and other tasks that kinda get pushed down the road when deep into training. I was riding a little but only when I really wanted and without a real plan. It also seemed to help me get some perspective on next season and what I want to get out of it without being distracted by the next training session.