# What build phase before the Climbing road race specialty phase **URL:** \ **Category:** Training\ **Tags:** choosing-a-plan\ **Created:** [October 10, 2018, 1:20pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-build-phase-before-the-climbing-road-race-specialty-phase/3367 "2018-10-10T13:20:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Thomas\_De\_Kesel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/thomas_de_kesel/32/13052_2.png) [@Thomas\_De\_Kesel](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Thomas_De_Kesel)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 1:20pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-build-phase-before-the-climbing-road-race-specialty-phase/3367/1 "2018-10-10T13:20:57Z")
Any tips on which build phase i should choose ? I am Doing SSB I & II mid volume . Than a build phase mid volume and after this a specialty phase climbing road race high Volume ---
**Author:** ![trpnhntr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/trpnhntr/32/93473_2.png) [@trpnhntr](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/trpnhntr)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 1:23pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-build-phase-before-the-climbing-road-race-specialty-phase/3367/2 "2018-10-10T13:23:39Z")
Almost certainly General Build - but it really depends what type of event you’re preparing for ---
**Author:** ![qtip](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/qtip/32/513_2.png) [@qtip](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/qtip)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-build-phase-before-the-climbing-road-race-specialty-phase/3367/3 "2018-10-10T13:29:33Z")
The CRR plan description states “So if your races involve selective climbs, if you have to be able to hold high percentages of your FTP after hours of already challenging ride time, and if you want road-race fitness that favors longer, sustained efforts, the Climbing Road Race blocks are ideal for you”. Given that, I’d have thought that Sustained Power Build would be the best fit. ---
**Author:** ![trpnhntr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/trpnhntr/32/93473_2.png) [@trpnhntr](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/trpnhntr)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 1:34pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-build-phase-before-the-climbing-road-race-specialty-phase/3367/4 "2018-10-10T13:34:56Z")
You’re correct that based on that description either Sustained or General makes sense - but it really depends on what event he is targeting. My understanding of climbing road race is that it is preparation for 20-40 minute climbing efforts. In my experience many people make the mistake of thinking because they are riding a lot of elevation gain they should use climbing road race when they actually won’t be doing huge sustained climbs they are doing lots of little 5-15 minute climbs (or even shorter). Of course, your experience may vary and perhaps @Thomas_De_Kesel is going to be climbing for half an hour multiple times deep into a ride ---
**Author:** ![RONDAL](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/rondal/32/7721_2.png) [@RONDAL](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/RONDAL)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 1:35pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-build-phase-before-the-climbing-road-race-specialty-phase/3367/5 "2018-10-10T13:35:51Z")
Sustained or General. I honestly don’t think anyone can go wrong with general build. It is a very well rounded build program ---
**Author:** ![Thomas\_De\_Kesel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/thomas_de_kesel/32/13052_2.png) [@Thomas\_De\_Kesel](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Thomas_De_Kesel)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 1:36pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-build-phase-before-the-climbing-road-race-specialty-phase/3367/6 "2018-10-10T13:36:52Z")
Hi There Thank you for your quick reactions . Yes i will be doing more little 5 tot 15 minutes climbs in that ride ( so maybe i should change my specialty phase also ? ) ---
**Author:** ![trpnhntr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/trpnhntr/32/93473_2.png) [@trpnhntr](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/trpnhntr)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 1:39pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-build-phase-before-the-climbing-road-race-specialty-phase/3367/7 "2018-10-10T13:39:07Z")
> [@Thomas\_De\_Kesel](#): > > Yes i will be doing more little 5 tot 15 minutes climbs in that ride ( so maybe i should change my specialty phase also ? ) I’d encourage you to do General Build and Rolling Road Race based on that description ---
**Author:** ![Thomas\_De\_Kesel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/thomas_de_kesel/32/13052_2.png) [@Thomas\_De\_Kesel](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Thomas_De_Kesel)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 1:39pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-build-phase-before-the-climbing-road-race-specialty-phase/3367/8 "2018-10-10T13:39:36Z")
great thank you ---
**Author:** ![qtip](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/qtip/32/513_2.png) [@qtip](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/qtip)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 1:45pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-build-phase-before-the-climbing-road-race-specialty-phase/3367/9 "2018-10-10T13:45:04Z")
Some useful links in the blog to help you decide: [Speciality Blocks: Climbing Road Race](https://blog.trainerroad.com/specialty-blocks-climbing-road-race/) [Speciality Blocks: Rolling Road Race](https://blog.trainerroad.com/specialty-blocks-rolling-road-race/) [Training Plans Update: Get Faster for Your Climbing and Rolling Road Races](https://blog.trainerroad.com/training-plans-update-get-faster-climbing-rolling-road-races/) ---
**Author:** ![Thomas\_De\_Kesel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/thomas_de_kesel/32/13052_2.png) [@Thomas\_De\_Kesel](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Thomas_De_Kesel)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 1:48pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-build-phase-before-the-climbing-road-race-specialty-phase/3367/10 "2018-10-10T13:48:32Z")
@qtip thanks !