When I’m correct, you’re using a 3ON/1OFF week structure - these are 4 weeks, but how you get a 6/12/18 week block off them? I have found some information about the structure here: https://fascatcoaching.com/tips/fatigue-dependent-training-plan-design/ but not understanding what happens on week 5, 6 and the following week 7 for pairing a second plan. Please, can you explain a bit “behind the scenes” about your structure and mesocycles on the (SweetSpot) Plans? Why you use 6 weeks plans?
Thanks Frank
So for easy handling it’s better to use the 32 or 18 weeks plan.
But for my first question, what is the correct pattern for the 6 weeks plans, 3/1/2? And what is the baseline of that pattern? Why you don’t use 3/1/3/1?
When I pair now with an additional recovery week, I get 3/1/2/1/3/1/2/(1). So I see a pattern in this, but normally I would prefer 3/1/3/1… or 2/1/2/1… for the elders
Still a bit confused because I thought your SS1, SS2 and SS3 plans are just the splitted 18 weeks plan. I’m pretty sure, I’m not the only one.
My question builds on the fact that I prefer to count the weeks back from my planned A race in the next season to get the beginning, now I realize I have to put in a bit more time for recovery weeks between your plans.
There is no one right way to structure periodization as long as you are taking regularly rest weeks. Sometimes it could be 2 weeks on 1 week off, or 4 weeks on 1 week off.
It also doesn’t have to be 1 week off. It could be a nice 2-3 day rest block and then you GTG after.
If you want regularity a good pattern to get into is 3 weeks ON 1 week OFF. As a coach I try to line the ‘off weeks’ to precede a race weekend so the athlete has fresh legs and makes more power. Thus, sometimes I’ll design training to be 2 weeks on 1 week off. Also 10 hard days or training followed by a 2-3 day rest block.
We DEFinitely encourage you to work your periodization backwards from your A race. Hope that helps - good luck!