Frank, first off, thank you. This year I decided to get back to racing after some time away and just riding recreationally. In March, I started the Intermediate Sweet Spot 3, followed by the Intermediate 12 Week Time Trial. At the start of SS3, my FTP was 240. At US Masters Nationals yesterday I threw down 287 for 58 minutes and finished 14th. No way I could have done that without FTFPing.
Now, I’m already pumped up and determined to boost my FTP even further and improve my placing at next year’s Nationals. The only race I have left this year is the Steamboat Stage Race, which I am really just doing for fun. Question is, what training plan (or combination of plans) should I do starting mid/late September to be ready for a second run at Nationals around this same time next year? I plan to race road and crits too, but my focus is really on TT. I will also be doing the CO State TT and (maybe) the Cherry Creek series. I also enjoy alternate forms of training like weight lifting. Lastly, should I consider the advanced level plans? I occasionally struggled to complete the Intermediate due to time constraints, but other times felt like I should have been doing more.
Thank you very much!