16-5

Typical training templates are based around a 4 week cycle. Build for 3 weeks and back off for one. Usually if a plan is well written you will even see small builds within each week. This, however, is not the only way to do it. The reason we so often see this being used is because most of us live our lives by the seven day work week.


What I have decided to do with my schedule is base my training on a 3 week cycle. This doesn't mean 2 on and 1 off though. What I am doing is 16 days on then 5 off. What this allows me to do is take advantage of my weekends. If you look a my basic week it stays the same whether I am in a rest phase or a work phase. I just lower the volume accordingly during my 5 days off. Since both of my long workouts fall on "my" weekend then these are never left out of the plan. The 5 off days are always Tues-Sat.


Today was the last day of my 5 off days. I have to say that I feel like I have recovered nicely and am looking forward to building things up again. The one thing that I have really noticed is that by working with this 16-5 plan I have gotten a mental break before I felt like I needed it. With the onset of winter and indoor training not far off I think this plan is going to keep me a lot fresher through the winter months.


I have been fighting a bit of a cold the past week but seem to be keeping it in check with a few home remedies. It seems to be sticking to me head and throat so I haven't felt the effects much in training. I did back things off a bit more than planned the last few days to help give my body a bit more energy to fight off the cold. There have also been a few added stresses from other parts of life that have definitely sapped some of my energy. Some of that has been taken care off so hopefully I can maintain my energy and focus going into the next 16 day phase.


I am really looking forward to tomorrows long run. It will be interesting to see how I feel running after a little rest.



Oh ya Hawaii is today. Best of luck to Mike Neill. Hopefully some day I will get to know how it feels to race on the Big Island.