Racergirl

Melanie,
I'm writing up my training program for 2007 and I'm debating how to plan out my weeks.

It seems like most people blend their week of volume and intensity. Though I've been thinking about working more in blocks of 2-3 harder or longer days. I feel that I could really load up my body for those 2-3 days, and then with a proper recovery I could gain more fitness.

What are the advantages and disadvantage of working in blocks? Or does it just come down to personal preference? What do you think?

I think it is important to periodize not only by weeks, but by months. I think a plan which emphasizes volume in the winter then gradually phases in higher and higher intensity as you get closer to your A priority race in the summer is effective.

Week to week, I find that a 7 day cycle works well for me because of travel for races. In that 7 days, I leave Monday as an easy day, then build Tues-Thurs, recover a bit on Friday, then build Sat-Sun. That way you can recover before your longest days which are likely to be on the weekend.

That is the long way of saying I think training in blocks is effective but I also think your body can only handle very high levels of intensity for a short period of time. The winter is a good time to work on endurance while you give your nervous system a break from all the high intensity.

m