This is a 10 week, advanced level mountain bike training plan for a cross country mountain bike race of about 2.5 hours in duration. The training plan is RPE and HR based, but will work with a power meter as well. The workouts are all time based, with an emphasis on quality of workouts over quantity. The longest endurance ride is three and half hours, building up from two and a half hours. You will be riding five days per week, with two interval workouts per week, one skills based ride, a group or endurance ride and the long ride on Sunday.
Structured Workouts are based off of Threshold HR, all other rides should be focused on either skills, pacing or riding without having to constantly stare at monitors.
Thelen Coaching offers personalized and individualized coaching for athletes of all levels in cycling, mountain biking, running and triathlons, specializing in trail running, ultras, ultra endurance cycling and 24 hour races.