You can even batch-schedule interval sessions, and then adjust these to add progression, as we’ll explain further below.
6: Fill the gaps
You should now have a training plan that’s roughly 80% complete. You’ve got most of your structure laid out, and you should have a good idea of where things are broadly heading.
We find that this is a good time to address the trickier or more unusual parts of the plan, such as dealing with testing weeks, or weeks where training availability may be undetermined.
The main reason we leave this stage until later in the planning process, is that it can initially feel a bit daunting, and hard to see which direction to take with the planning. But once you have most of the plan fleshed out, the task of planning these trickier parts becomes lighter, and you have fewer variables to play with.
You might find yourself needing to tweak some of the training in the weeks leading into or following these gaps too, to make sure things flow nicely. This is absolutely fine, and fits nicely with our next step…
7: Adjust and add progression
Now that the weeks are filled out with the basic framework, it’s time to add progression to the plan by adjusting the design of the workouts each week so that the athlete is gradually challenged more as they get fitter.
This might include extending the long rides by 10% in successive weeks, in a cycle of 3-4 weeks, or perhaps adjusting the interval blocks in key high intensity sessions to be longer or more intense.
Understand that these progressions will be somewhat arbitrary in the early planning stage and will likely need to be tweaked closer to the time and using recent training experiences as a guide.
The appropriate means of progression will also differ on an individual basis based on the athlete’s strengths and limiters, the nature of the event being prepared for, the training history of the athlete, their time availability and many other factors.
8: Finishing touches
Whilst personal preference will dictate what’s done here from athlete to athlete (and coach to coach), for the finishing touches, we like to add notes on a Monday explaining the goals for the upcoming week, and outlining any pointers/warnings to be aware of etc.
We also use notes to give reminders and process goals around things like nutritional consideration, metrics to look at, variations in the workouts to add in etc.
These notes help to pre-empt questions the athlete might have, keep them motivated and on the right track and if you’re self-coached, can act as reminders, nudges and prompts to help you with your training.