# Year over year improvement

**URL:** <https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/year-over-year-improvement/7895>\
**Category:** Training\
**Created:** [December 15, 2018, 1:33am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/year-over-year-improvement/7895 "2018-12-15T01:33:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dutchie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/dutchie/32/13106_2.png) [@Dutchie](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Dutchie)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2018, 1:33am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/year-over-year-improvement/7895/1 "2018-12-15T01:33:58Z")

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Hi all,

I’ve been with TrainerRoad for three seasons now. I race mostly mtb, with the occasional cross race in the fall. I was wondering what others experience is with year over year improvements. The first year I raced I started with an FTP of around 280 (85kg) and improved to around 325 through the course of a base, build and specialty plan (Nov - May). After the summer, I took off about 6 weeks and started again, almost identical numbers (287 to 326 over the course of the training plans). This year started out a bit better (306), however I seem to have plateaued, especially in my VO2 workouts. I am 47 this year and typically follow medium volume plans…

Wondering if others have been the same or if I need to think about some changes to my plans. I’m pretty good with nutrition and recovery, etc…maybe it’s just the getting older thing!!

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Ian](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/ian/32/21_2.png) [@Ian](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Ian)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2018, 1:43am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/year-over-year-improvement/7895/2 "2018-12-15T01:43:46Z")

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Hey there!

You are not alone in that you have hit a fitness plateau. It’s actually pretty common! Just for reference, check out the following resources we have about breaking through a fitness plateau:

> **[The Science Behind Getting Faster and Breaking Through a Fitness Plateau](https://www.trainerroad.com/blog/how-to-break-through-a-fitness-plateau/)**
>
> The infamous fitness plateau is a state no athlete wishes to face. We're going to make sure you never find yourself there.

> **[Fitness Plateaus, VO2 Max Intervals, Solo Race Tactics & More - Ask a...](https://www.trainerroad.com/blog/fitness-plateaus-vo2-max-intervals-solo-race-tactics-more-ask-a-cycling-coach-166/)**
>
> Join us for a discussion on how to break through fitness plateaus, how people do VO2 Max intervals wrong, and a tactics discussion on how to win a bike race without a team. Episode 166 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast is coming right up!