Written by Cody Waite, Endurance Coach, Professional Endurance Athlete and co-owner of Sessions:6 Sport Performance
My 8-week MARATHON MTB Race-Prep Plan is designed for marathon racers (40-60 miles) looking to sharpen up their race day fitness leading up to their A-priority event of the year. This is PART 3 of a 4-part annual plan, however you can jump into this phase if you have spent at least 6-8 weeks building a solid aerobic strength base prior to starting this program.
RACE PREP PHASE:This 8 week plan is set up as 4 two week blocks, with each block focusing on a specific energy system beginning with Anaerobic Power and gradually expanding through Vo2 max, Anaerobic Threshold, and finally Aerobic Threshold. Along with the quality sessions, there are weekly endurance rides, recovery rides and strength maintenance sessions to solidify your fitness.
Following this plan is my PART 4 of 4, 2-week Race (taper) phase to get you to the start line recovered, fit, and ready to race to your fullest potential (to find it, search "Cody Waite" in TP store).
REUSABLE: You can easily reuse this plan within your racing season as you recover and rebuild between peaks for A-priority events.
Email Cody directly with questions now or as you go: cody@sessions6.com
             
             
Easy spin on the road. Super slow.
45-75 minutes.
4x0:15 @ 170% FTP (0:45 rec)
4x0:30 @ 150% FTP (1:30 rec)
4x1:00 @ 130% FTP (2:00 rec)
Best on a moderate grade climb w/ good traction. Road, MTB or trainer. 1-2 hours.
If you don't have power meter, go by feel: 1:00: near max, 2:00: very hard, 4:00: hard.
Spirited group ride OR 4-6x10:00 (2-5:00 rec) @ 80-90% FTP (zone 3 HR). Road, MTB or trainer. 1-2 hours.
If continuing from our 12-week Base Program, today do Maintenance: 1x20 @ 50% 1RM Endurance + 1x5 @ 85% 1RM Strength + 1x6 (explosive) @ 60% 1RM Power.
If you are just starting strength program, start with Adaptation: 2x12-15 @ 40% 1RM.
Download attachment (upper right corner) for strength description.
Email us for complete exercises list and examples: cody@epcmultisport.com
Easy spin on the road. Super slow.
45-75 minutes.
2 Rounds of...
4x0:15 @ 170% FTP (0:45 rec)
4x0:30 @ 150% FTP (1:30 rec)
4x1:00 @ 130% FTP (2:00 rec)
(10:00+ easy between rounds)
Best on a moderate grade climb w/ good traction. Road, MTB or trainer. 2-3 hours.
If you don't have power meter, go by feel: 1:00: near max, 2:00: very hard, 4:00: hard.
Long ride in the mountains with as much climbing as possible. Easy to moderate effort. MTB on roads and/or trails is best.
3-5 hours.