# Which interval is better? **URL:** \ **Category:** Training\ **Created:** [April 19, 2022, 10:23am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803 "2022-04-19T10:23:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ABG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@ABG](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ABG)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 10:23am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/1 "2022-04-19T10:23:48Z")
So racing is starting up. I am currently doing 2 vo2 training days and one threshold day. I dont understand why I am not getting any anaerobic workouts? Would it be better for me to add those for my crit training? If you were to rate the 3 type of intervals which one would you do first. a. Anaerobic b. Vo2 c. Threshold ---
**Author:** ![tshortt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/tshortt/32/3100_2.png) [@tshortt](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/tshortt)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 10:43am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/2 "2022-04-19T10:43:01Z")
C. Threshold And I would minimize Vo2 and perhaps **never** do Anaerobic. > **[You're Training Too Hard for Criteriums—Here's Why | TrainingPeaks](https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/youre-training-too-hard-for-criteriums-heres-why/)** > > Is it time to tone down all those high intensity intervals? Only if you want to have a strong finishing sprint. TLDR; threshold is actually race pace, not “anaerobic”. ---
**Author:** ![PattyP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@PattyP](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/PattyP)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 11:22am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/3 "2022-04-19T11:22:39Z")
It depends. There is no bad or good workout… Anaerobic, Vo2 and Treshold has its place, but you need to find the right moment. ---
**Author:** ![PusherMan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/pusherman/32/4266_2.png) [@PusherMan](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/PusherMan)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 11:43am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/4 "2022-04-19T11:43:36Z")
> [@ABG](#): > > a. Anaerobic > b. Vo2 > c. Threshold My Low Vol plan had me doing this distribution. I stripped out the Anaerobic and replaced them all with endurance sessions. For me, my riding style and the courses I race on, my time is better spent focusing on threshold and VO2. ---
**Author:** ![cartsman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/cartsman/32/18565_2.png) [@cartsman](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/cartsman)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 12:06pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/5 "2022-04-19T12:06:22Z")
Depends what your A race is, how you race, and what stage of the season you’re at. Benefits of anaerobic training come quickly, max out quickly, and go quickly! So even if your A event requires good anaerobic capacity it’s normally only the last block of training where you’ll incorporate structured anaerobic training (note - for many/most people, they’re going to spend some time in the anaerobic zone before this through group rides, B and C races, etc so it’s not like it’s totally unchartered territory). And depending what your A race is and/or how you plan to race it, anaerobic capacity may not really be something to prioritise anyway. E.g. I have a friend who simply isn’t suited to bunch sprints, either physiologically or by preference (doesn’t like being in the bunch when things hot up and if he finds himself in the bunch near the end of the race will either try a late break or sit up and let it go rather than contest the sprint). But he has a big aerobic engine, is aero and TTs well, so he picks up plenty of wins and podiums in both crits and road races by getting in solo or small breaks which suit his strengths. Personally I’d put VO2 and threshold as first equal, with anaerobic a distant third. I spend very little time in anaerobic zone during off season and base. And once racing starts I tend to race pretty regularly and do at least one fast group in weeks when I’m not racing (unless it’s a recovery week), so I amass enough time in the anaerobic zone from those rides/races that I don’t feel the need to do structured anaerobic training as well. That’s also a function of how I race - I can sprint a bit when I need to, but my best chance in a sprint is against a tired and depleted field, and the way to put myself in that position is from prioritising my aerobic engine. ---
**Author:** ![ABG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@ABG](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ABG)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 1:44pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/6 "2022-04-19T13:44:57Z")
To sum it up, if your racing crits no need to add the extra intervals “anaerobic intervals”. I view myself as someone who can do anaerobic workouts pretty easily. Even when not training above my ftp for 5 months I can always knock out the 2 hour Spanish needle session. I struggle with threshold and vo2 intervals when the recovery is at 85% ftp. ---
**Author:** ![tshortt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/tshortt/32/3100_2.png) [@tshortt](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/tshortt)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 2:10pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/7 "2022-04-19T14:10:37Z")
> [@ABG](#): > > To sum it up, if your racing crits no need to add the extra intervals “anaerobic intervals”. Bingo. With the caveat (I believe also stated above) that you can work it in early races. If you were targeting a specific race (not common when racing crits as it’s more about the season or a part of the season), then yeah, do a few leading into the race itself (in the form of workouts or B races). > [@ABG](#): > > I view myself as someone who can do anaerobic workouts pretty easily. All the more reason to minimize or eliminate. > [@ABG](#): > > I can always knock out the 2 hour Spanish needle session Then you should be racing crits. 😁 > [@ABG](#): > > I struggle with threshold and vo2 intervals when the recovery is at 85% ftp. Yep, which means it’s ok to dial those back when needed, but you most definitely would do well to train them regularly. The threshold sessions don’t have to be these crazy 1 hour long TiZ efforts either, or brutal over-unders. Even a sweetspot session (if long enough) can sub for one of the threshold sessions. Edit: And finally, when it comes to any high intensity (threshold, Vo2max, whatever), remember your basics. You get better when you can train day-to-day (with scheduled rest) and be consistent. If the frequency or level of those HIIT sessions are depleting glycogen such that you cannot ride the next day, you are overdoing it. You should **always** be able to ride at least endurance unless it’s scheduled off day. Big part of consistency when incorporating intensity or higher sub-threshold work (SST etc) is being able to restore glycogen. ---
**Author:** ![patrickhill](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/patrickhill/32/12893_2.png) [@patrickhill](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/patrickhill)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 7:20pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/8 "2022-04-19T19:20:23Z")
This points out a significant flaw in TR’s Adaptive Training. If you haven’t specifically done V02/anaerobic in a while but have kept up your fitness with threshold and below, your V02/anaerobic progression levels drop like a rock. They become laughably easy and can take months to get back to where they should be if you stick to the plan. ---
**Author:** ![mcneese.chad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mcneese.chad/32/15056_2.png) [@mcneese.chad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mcneese.chad)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 7:39pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/9 "2022-04-19T19:39:57Z")
> [@patrickhill](#): > > can take months to get back to where they should be if you stick to the plan. - That has not been my experience (months). If you are low PL and end up with cake walk workouts, rating them 1-Easy should lead to a larger step in the following weeks prescription. At worst that should be 2-3 weeks if all you have is one workout in a given zone. - And if a person is willing and able to roll the dice and pick a Stretch or Breakthrough workout knowing or expecting they are better than the low PL, that is another aid in the progression. ---
**Author:** ![ABG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@ABG](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ABG)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/10 "2022-04-19T20:35:48Z")
When I was a 10 on sweetspot and a 1 on endurance, tempo, vo2, threshold, anaerobic, and sprint due to not working those zone I guessed I was zone 5 on vo2 and threshold and then went from there. I didnt really miss any training weeks. I use AI as a guide but it comes down to be making the right selections for me. Since I am racing 2 crits sat I need to figure out if my wed or Thur intervals will be one of the options above. I was going to do vo2, but I think im going to do threshold or sweetspot. ---
**Author:** ![brendanhousler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/brendanhousler/32/11363_2.png) [@brendanhousler](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/brendanhousler)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 9:43am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/11 "2022-04-20T09:43:18Z")
how do you feel in regards to surges in races? If you can handle those, skip the anaerobic training and work more aerobically, with B and C. if the surge is killing you, mix in some A as well. ---
**Author:** ![ABG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@ABG](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ABG)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 10:15am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/12 "2022-04-20T10:15:13Z")
Should know how I feel after this weekend. Only race so far this year has been a RR. ---
**Author:** ![brendanhousler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/brendanhousler/32/11363_2.png) [@brendanhousler](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/brendanhousler)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 3:38pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/13 "2022-04-20T15:38:08Z")
any group rides or surgey scenarios you can draw from? ---
**Author:** ![ABG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@ABG](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ABG)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/14 "2022-04-20T16:45:36Z")
Nope Only ridden outside a handful of times. My RR I got popped due to a bad location when it went single file on a hill. I was 50 riders back ---
**Author:** ![joelc](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/joelc/32/93776_2.png) [@joelc](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/joelc)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/15 "2022-04-20T18:49:56Z")
i.e. usually during the specialty phase of your plan right before an event, correct? ---
**Author:** ![ABG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@ABG](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ABG)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 7:03pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/16 "2022-04-20T19:03:21Z")
I only saw anaerobic 2 weeks prior to A event. I need to move my events around also. ---
**Author:** ![ABG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@ABG](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ABG)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2022, 10:57pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/17 "2022-04-23T22:57:34Z")
After reviewing my race data it appears I do not need anaerobic workouts. 60min race I did 15min of coasting and 15min anaerobic with a tss of 101. 45min race I did 5min of coasting and 15min of anaerobic with a IF of .99. ---
**Author:** ![tshortt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/tshortt/32/3100_2.png) [@tshortt](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/tshortt)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2022, 11:15pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/18 "2022-04-23T23:15:54Z")
> [@ABG](#): > > After reviewing my race data it appears I do not need anaerobic workouts Beautiful. > [@ABG](#): > > 15min of coasting Keep up the good work. Get that coasting number up as much as possible. 💪 > [@ABG](#): > > a tss of 101 60 mins with TSS of 101 is literally the definition of threshold. > [@ABG](#): > > a IF of .99 Man, you’re like a textbook. Love it. You didn’t just make these numbers up did you lol 😂 ---
**Author:** ![ABG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@ABG](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ABG)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 1:23am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/19 "2022-04-24T01:23:07Z")
This was the first time doing a crit with a power meter in my long racing history. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/8/f/8f4bd6919ec95b44578baf08929f4952aa87793b.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![kurt.braeckel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/kurt.braeckel/32/116719_2.png) [@kurt.braeckel](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/kurt.braeckel)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 1:57am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803/20 "2022-04-24T01:57:40Z")
C. B. A. For crits or otherwise, largely in that order and priority too, with some exceptions. Last two seasons I’ve periodized as: C - a couple of months B - a couple of weeks C - a couple of months A/B - a couple of weeks YMMV… but it’s an aerobic sport. [Next page](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/which-interval-is-better/71803.md?page=2)