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Cyclocross Prep & Race 12 Weeks 11 plus Hours per Week Intermediate

Browse More Plans

Cyclocross Prep & Race 12 Weeks 11 plus Hours per Week Intermediate

Includes Structured Workouts

Structured Workouts automatically sync with compatible devices and guide you through workouts in real time.


Learn More about Structured Workouts.

Author

Hunter Allen & Peaks Coaching Group

All plans by this Coach

Length

13 Weeks

Includes Structured Workouts

Structured Workouts automatically sync with compatible devices and guide you through workouts in real time.


Learn More about Structured Workouts.

Plan Description

The included plan has been converted to Training Peaks structured workout format, called Workout Builder. Not only will you see your individual training targets and zones for each workout through the daily workout e-mail reminders and mobile notifications, but you will also see a graphic representation of the workout within the Training Peaks web portal and Training Peaks mobile app. Now you can quickly get a sense of the entire Workout by taking a look at the visual representation which will show you the individual workout elements like warm up, main set(s) (including interval efforts (based upon your FTP) and cool down. You will no longer have to read through the full narrative and in some cases interpret it and calculate your FTP in order to grasp the task at hand.

Structured workouts built with the Workout Builder can now be exported for use in third-party apps and select devices including Garmin, Zwift, TrainerRoad, CycleOps Virtual Training, RacerMate, Hurts Ergo and more. Simply click “Export” after building and saving your workout and select the proper file format For more detailed information regarding exporting workouts go to http://help.trainingpeaks.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000325647-Structured-Workout-Export

This training plan is made for cyclists who train with power, heart rate, or perceived exertion. We have provided an additional week at the beginning of this plan that contains testing protocol and explains how to set your training zones within TrainingPeaks. That will allow you to know exactly where you are starting with the plan and provide the correct information for testing in the future.

This is for the intermediate rider with 12-15 hours a week to train. Note that on the weekends (Friday - Sunday) you will have multiple workouts listed. You need to choose ONE option based on your race schedule. Also note that because of the options, your time listed at the end of the week will appear higher.

You have the fitness background and the understanding of cross but aren't ready for the elites yet. This is similar to the elite plan in terms of the workouts,but the intensity and volume has been reduced to make sure you can get the work done and not be too sore the next day.

For an active road racer if you are a Category 4 and above this is a good plan for you or for a mountain biker if you are novice and above this is also applicable.

Complete with cross-training workouts made to prep you for the unique demands of CX, this plan has it all.

Time to get muddy. Fast.

How it Works

Load Your Plan

Quickly view upcoming workouts in the TrainingPeaks app.

Workout and Analyze

Upload completed workouts from your favorite tracking app or device.

Track Your Progress

Get feedback, stay on top of your training and perform at your best.

Learn More

Training Plan Sample Week

Sample Workouts - Week 100
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Monday

No Planned Workouts

No content
No detail
Tuesday

Pre-Race Short ENDURANCE & VO2 3 x :90 (1:00)

Bike01:00:0059 TSSStructured Workout
WU: 15 Minutes in Endurance (Power Z2, HR Z2, RPE 2-3) with 3 x 1-minute fast pedals to wake up legs.
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MS: Pre-Race efforts are about opening up the legs and keeping the lactate processing plant sharp. As part of the Main Set do 3 x 90 seconds “Hard Efforts” (Power Z5, HR Z5, RPE 6-7). Rest for 5 minutes between intervals. Focus on tomorrow’s race during the efforts, breath deep and pedal smooth.
-------
CD: 15 minutes easy pedaling in Active Recovery (Power Z1, HR Z1, RPE <2)
Details
Wednesday

FTP – Functional Threshold Power Test VO2 1 x 5 & FTP 1 x 20 (1:30)

Bike01:30:00101 TSSStructured Workout
WU: 10-20 minutes working into Endurance Zone (Power Z2, HR Z2, RPE 2-3)with 3 x 1-minute fast pedals to wake up legs.
-------
MS1: 5-Minute Hard Effort. This 5-minute effort should be done at maximum. Start the effort at a high pace, but not so hard that you cannot finish strong. Really hammer out the last 45 seconds. The goal is to generate a max 5-minute Vo2 Max test while really opening up the legs for the test and really dispense the initial freshness to help produce more accurate power in the 20-minute test. Once complete, spin easily for 20 minutes of recovery, working back into Endurance Zone (Power Z2, HR Z2, RPE 2-3), and then go on to MS2.
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MS2: 20-Minute Time Trial. Try to do this on a road that is fairly flat and allows you to put out strong, steady power for the entire 20-minute effort. Don’t start too hard! You can do this on a steady climb or into a headwind to help produce steady power throughout the 20-minute effort. Once complete, spin easy for 10 minutes in Endurance Zone (Power Z2, HR Z2, RPE 2-3). Your FTP is the power average for the 20-minute effort minus 3-5%.
-------
CD: 10-15 minutes of easy spinning.
Details
Thursday

ACTIVE RECOVERY (1:30)

Bike01:30:0045 TSSStructured Workout
MS: Today is an Active Recovery day targeting ONLY (Power Z1, HR Z1, RPE <2). Focus on relaxing on the bike and enjoying the ride. If you have to climb some hills try to use easier gear and spin easy. Today is about recovery, so go for easy spin!

You get faster when you are resting and recovering, not when you are working hard!! Rest days are about going easy enough to really allow your legs to recover.
Details
Friday

2-System Power Test (AC & NP) FTP 1 x 5, AC 1 x 1 & NP 3 x :15 (1:30) 20' WU

Bike01:24:4589 TSSStructured Workout
WU: 20 minutes working into Endurance Zone (Power Z2, HR Z2, RPE 2-3)with 3 x 1-minute fast pedals to wake up legs.
-------
MS1: 5-Minute Effort at FTP. To better warm up and open up the legs, let’s put in a 5-minute effort at the tested FTP number from the Day 1 test. This should be hard, but not too hard! Once complete, ride for 10 minutes at Endurance Zone (Power Z2, HR Z2, RPE 2-3) and then go on to MS2.
------
MS2: 2 x 1-Minute Test. Find a quiet road, flat or with a slight uphill grade. Start from about 20 mph out of the saddle HAMMERING (self-selected cadence); go as hard as you can go in the beginning! Sit as you need to and try to push out the entire minute. This is hard! Once complete, spin for 5 minutes and then repeat the test. When your second effort is completed, spin easy for 15 minutes and then go on to MS3.
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MS3: 3 x NP 15-Second Sprint Max. Find a clear stretch of road, start from a slow speed of around 15 mph, and sprint as hard as you can for 10-15 seconds. Really focus on your JUMP from the line! Rest for 4 minutes between sprints (3). Try changing up your gearing a little to hit higher max numbers in each effort.
-------
CD: 15 minutes of easy spinning.
Details
Saturday

ACTIVE RECOVERY (1:30)

Bike01:30:0045 TSSStructured Workout
MS: Today is an Active Recovery day targeting ONLY (Power Z1, HR Z1, RPE <2). Focus on relaxing on the bike and enjoying the ride. If you have to climb some hills try to use easier gear and spin easy. Today is about recovery, so go for easy spin!

You get faster when you are resting and recovering, not when you are working hard!! Rest days are about going easy enough to really allow your legs to recover.
Details
Sunday

ENDURANCE Ride (2:00) 10' CD

Bike02:00:00105 TSSStructured Workout
WU: 15 minutes working from Active Recovery (Power Z1, HR Z1, RPE <2) training zone into Endurance (Power Z2, HR Z2, RPE 2-3) with 2-3 x 1 minute fast pedals to wake up legs.
----------
MS1: Endurance ride. Set a pace at Endurance (Power Z2, HR Z2, RPE 2-3) and hold this pace for the prescribed workout time. Focus on riding smooth and staying relaxed. Vary your cadence. Vary terrain.
---------
CD: 10 minutes of easy pedaling in Active Recovery (Power Z1, HR Z1, RPE <2).
Details

Sunday Sample Workout Details

Other

Stats

Average Weekly Breakdown

Workouts Weekly Average Longest Workout
Bike x8
10:49:00 02:30:00
Race x2
03:05:00 02:00:00
Custom x1
—— ——
Day Off x1
—— ——
Run x1
00:37:00 00:30:00
Workouts Per Week Weekly Average Longest Workout
Bike Bike
10:49:00 02:30:00
Other Race
03:05:00 02:00:00
Other Custom
—— ——
Rest Day Off
—— ——
Run Run
00:37:00 00:30:00

Training Load By Week


This plan works best with the following fitness devices:

  • Power Meter

All supported devices

Hunter Allen

Peaks Coaching Group, Inc.

Our coaches are the experts in training with a power meter and data analysis. If you are looking for the best, then Peaks Coaching Group will exceed your expectations and help maximize your training time. We also can help you with race tactics, nutrition, power training, skill development and we also have 4-6 cycling camps each year.

We have many service levels that we offer. Please see detailed descriptions on www.peakscoachinggroup.com We also consulting and provide custom coaching weekends.

View all Training Plans by this Coach
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  • Access your training plan anywhere on the TrainingPeaks mobile and desktop apps.
  • Track your performance with robust data tracking and detailed graphs.
  • Plan for your event in the TrainingPeaks calendar.
  • Track your weight, sleep, hours, fatigue and stress while you train.
  • Completed workouts sync with popular apps like Garmin and Wahoo. Learn More
  • If plan includes Structured Workouts, then planned workouts sync to compatible devices and guide you through workouts in real time. Learn More

Refund Policy

This plan is protected by our Refund Policy and may, with the author's approval, be exchanged for a plan of equal value from the same author.

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