I started a new plan at the beginning of March, then wanted to increase intensity after the 4th week, so I deleted the plan and started a new one with a start date of March 1 so it would take into account my previous workouts. I’m now doing an XC Marathon plan, 5hrs/week, at the demanding level. My FTP is 260 if that matters. I also do 2-3 days of 30 min of upper body/core workouts.
The issue I’m concerned with is in the last 3 weeks, I had a week of vacation off the bike but some runs and hikes, followed by an easy scheduled week of base work per the original plan (TSS 187), then a slightly harder base week (TSS 244). Now the app is suggesting this week be another easy base week (TSS 193). Next week and beyond are more demanding as I move into the build phase, week 1 (TSS 312).
So in the last month, I’ve had one week where the workouts were moderate at best, the rest were all easy or off the bike completely. I know it’s base work, but I am not sore or tired at all, and feel like this much easy work is unproductive. Am I being impatient or should I make a change to this week’s plan?
Have you been an existing user for awhile, so it knows your history I presume? If you are new I would make sure it has your imported older training and go through to make sure you update RPE or TSS in workouts to give a good baseline history.
Are the workouts in the calendar showing a little calendar icon for each workout (indicating they were plan created vs a Pin for pinned by user)? Screenshot would help maybe
I took a look at your training plan, and you haven’t had a true Recovery Week in the last 5 weeks till now. So I would definitely take this recovery week, and then follow the 2 weeks on and 1 week off as you’re going into the Specialty Phase after.
A perfect plan would have a 3:1 ratio of training weeks vs. recovery weeks, but due to the start and end date of your plan, it’s creating this shorter 2:1 training vs. recovery week ratio.
That said, in the week of the 20th and 27th of April, you could choose Workout Alternates if you want to bump the intensity of the workouts! This can be a great option as you’re feeling not tired or sore. Then follow the scheduled Recovery Week>>Specialty Phase as planned.
