Currently I’m splitting my training weeks with 3 days running, 3 days biking, one off day. I’m using the low volume triathlon plans but no swimming, and adding some strength days instead.
I’m signed up for a few road and trail running races for spring and early summer. I’d like to focus on running by increasing my run days to 5 days per week, with one off day. I feel like I could fit in 2 bike days (one being a run and bike double day).
Can Train Now help me maintain, or more realistically limit loss of, bike fitness? If so, what kind of workouts should I target (VO2, thresh, SS, etc.)? What durations? When during the week - I assume not before my long run day on the weekend.
If you peruse the TR Running Thread there are examples of what others have done. I do a lot more SS if cycling 3-4 days per week and every few weeks throw in a VO2 workout, but this works for me. I personally feel like one derives a lot of benefits from just SS.
That might be the best thing for keeping up, then you can just pick what kind of ride you want based on your fatigue from everything else. You may end up just wanting to do recovery rides while you’re focused on running, and accept you’re going to lose a bit of cycling fitness.
The maintenance plans are decent and focus on VO2 max and anaerobic, but that’s assuming you’re time crunched and aren’t doing other training. So train now sounds like the better approach.
Yes, that sounds like an excellent idea. TR also has time crunched plans as an alternative. To be honest, it depends a little on you, whether you prefer to have a schedule or don’t need one to climb on the bike regularly.
Thank you all for the feedback! I think I’ll give Train Now a try, and go for primarily SS and occasional VO2, but select achievable as the filter for workouts. Then engage with a training plan after my running events to build back the bike fitness.
Makes sense: if you do proper structured training for running, you’ll build your aerobic engine. Sweet spot and VO2max workouts should maintain a good level of fitness.
I’ve done same, added running as main sport and done a few months of just TrainNow 2 to 3 times a week on the bike/TR. Maintained 90%+ of FTP that way. Currently trying LV plan, mixture of VO2, Threshold and SS, but always keeping it flexible on how body feels. FTP has now started to slowly climb, probably due to more VO2, so may cut back to TrainNow as I don’t want to over do it at my age!