Weirdly monotonic training plan

TrainerRoad Software
1

Hi all,

I’m currently in week 2 of a 12 week custom/plan builder generated training plan for a rolling road race and a bit confused by its structure.

I basically have the usual 3 blocks, base, build and specialty, but they are weirdly monotonic in their content:

Base: 3 weeks of 2xSS + 2x endurance + 1 week rest
Build: 3 weeks of 2x Anaerob + 2x endurance + 1 week rest
Specialty: 3 weeks of VO2Max + Taper and event.

The plan as configured as masters plan with 2 days of intensity. Each week also contains one planned group ride and 2-3 planned gym sessions.
I did similar setups in the past (without the gym sessions and group rides), but never had this monotonous structure, where it’s basically 3 weeks one thing, than 3 weeks another and so on. Before I think I usually got 2 different kinds of intensity, except maybe for the base blocks.

Has anyone else seen plans like those? Is this as expected, or did the did the generator just not feel very creative the day I used it?

2

I can’t speak if this is expected from TRs point of view. I can say that a plan like this can be very effective, and many coaches use plans something like this. Good training can be very monotonous. Some coaches, and I would bet to a point TR usually mix it up a bit more, not because it makes a better plan, but some athletes just want a little more variety.

3

Training plans don’t need to be overly complicated or something different every week. That plan looks great to me!

1 Like
4

Thanks for the input, both of you. Never encountered one like it before, so it’s good to know that there’s purpose in such a design.
I’ll stick with it and measure it by the results archived in a few months