Using TrainNow solely, no training plan?

TrainerRoad Software
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I have a simply hopeless weekly routine. In addition to the shifting demands of taking care of 4 kids, I also have a job (ER doc) that has a wickedly irregular schedule (I may work 1 day in a week, or 5.)

Yes, using a TR plan is best, but by the time I end up shifting the days around, skipping some workouts due to work/family demands, and adjusting ride duration to match my available time, I feel like I’ve sabotaged the whole point of the plan. Its sooooo much simpler to plug in TrainNow each time.

Any thoughts?
Is it still better to use a plan despite major “surgery” to the plan?
Is TrainNow (only) the preferred method for anybody else?

I’ll take either insight or commiseration, whatever ya" got.

Edit: I looked over older threads, but they seemed dated, given all the upgrades since, e.g. Using train now option with no plan since will never race - #5 by luigiurbina

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Hey @BrooksW

TrainNow was designed for people like you!

There’s no shame in ditching the plan if you aren’t going to be able to follow along the vast majority of the time.

TrainNow is great at giving you the best workout based on your recent training history, so it can actually do a great job in terms of getting you faster. As a matter of fact, it is probably the best option for someone in your situation to ensure that you’re training productively, regardless of when you’re able to get a workout in.

Just do your best to keep track of your periodization and ensure that you’re only doing endurance/recovery workouts every fourth week. :spiral_calendar:

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Life already has a way of giving me periodic “recovery” weeks, so cool!

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I’ve had great results with TrainNow.

For quite a few years now I’ve used the regular training plans, and of course, they work really well. When my kids were born, or when I didn’t have a goal event, I took those opportunities to experiment with TrainNow.

I basically tried to at least keep the same number of hours per week, but the days were always different and the workout types were basically just whatever I felt like that day. It worked really well in the sense that I maintained my fitness and even progressed a little. Where TrainNow lacked for me personally was the lack of focus on a type of riding, which makes sense as that’s what a coach or the TR plans would do for you.

Long story short, don’t feel bad about using TrainNow. It will keep you plenty fast if you just keep picking “productive” workouts.

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