Any experience with Hybrid TB-SSB blocks?

[jchapin]

Has anybody had success with adding or replacing 1-2 SS workouts/wk with Zone-2 workouts during their Base period to develop more low-end aerobic fitness while following a TR plan?

I had high expectations in October to follow a disciplined Zone-2 (out of 7) TB for 12 wks to address my low-end aerobic weakness in preparation for some mountainous Gran Fondo’s in 2021…

Well, that went out the window for a variety of interruptions…life goes on!

Since my first event is only 6 months away, (120-miles over multiple mountain passes with a group of lighter, faster, younger pals…), my original plan was to roll into an SSB-Build-Spec plan in January after the 12-week TB. However, now that I missed the TB I’m wondering about the merits of combining TB & SSB to get back on my original plan while addressing my neglected “shallow” low end…

Since TR plans are progressive it may mean a flatter FTP curve, but I’m thinking that’s a worthy compromise to lay a stronger foundation for 4-6 hour endurance events.

I may be overthinking this (easy to do in sedentary mode from the armchair…) while butchering well grounded TR plans with a hybrid of HR-based workouts (Z2) and Power-based workouts (SSB) plan.

Thanks in advance and apologies if this has been addressed here before…

[KlemenSj]

There have been multiple threads on this topic, just a quick search found these, but I’m sure there are many more:

Replace workout in Sweet Spot Base low volume with an outside bunch ride?

During winter I would like to follow the Sweet Spot Base low volume training. As the weather allows to ride outdoors, I would like to replace one workout with an outside bunch ride in the weekend. What is the best weekly workout to replace with this outside bunch ride of 3 hours, mainly in Z1-Z2 and a total time of 15min in Z3 during a few hills?

Long outdoor ride SSBMV2

Currently working through SSBMV2 and looking to get outdoors at least once a week for training purposes. Mostly because the times I do find myself riding outdoors I struggle with pacing myself and my bike handling could certainly improve, for example wobbling around when trying to get my water bottle. I have the time to do the medium volume plan if not more so I am wondering if removing the Sunday sweet spot workout for a long outdoor ride would be detrimental to my training progression. I am aw…

Substituting Sweet Spot Workouts

Hey guys, I was curious if anyone has any input on substituting my 90 min sweet spot ride for a 3-4 hour zone two ride (thinking 60-70% of my VO2max). From some of the journal articles I’ve been reading it seems that this will work just as well as sweet spot, but obviously takes longer. I assume this is simply traditional base, but does mixing traditional base and SSB, rather than solely committing to a single method, still produce a measurable increase in fitness? Thanks in advance and sorry…

[jchapin]

Awesome. Thanks, KlemenSj!

[rkoswald]

Also read the weekly training notes. At least for SSB there is usually an option for due a longer Z2 ride instead of the (typically) Sunday SS ride. Recommend using Plan Builder as a starting point. Selecting Beginner/Intermediate experience level will give more base and less specialty.