12 Weeks to FAST - Classic Zones - 8-12 hrs/wk
Structured Workouts automatically sync with compatible devices and guide you through workouts in real time.
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Author
Tim Cusick - Coach of World and National Champions
All plans by this CoachLength
12 Weeks
Refund Policy
This plan is protected by our Refund Policy and may, with the author's approval, be exchanged for a plan of equal value from the same author.
Still have questions about this plan?Structured Workouts automatically sync with compatible devices and guide you through workouts in real time.
Learn More about Structured Workouts.
Plan Description
12 Weeks to FAST
Written by Tim Cusick, TrainingPeaks WKO Product Leader and master coach with Velocious Cycling Adventures
Plan overview
Are you ready to jump back into training but don't quite have the foundation you want? This is the plan for you! Designed to build your threshold, then your VO2max and sprints, this plan will have you crushing your local group ride or your friends on Zwift in 12 weeks. The plan includes motivational tips each week and features structured workouts ready to load to your Garmin or smart trainer. Get ready for FAST!
The workouts can be used in the traditional format or as structured workouts, which load automatically to select devices (Garmin, Zwift, RGT, ErgVideo, TrainerRoad, Racermate, and more) so you can see your workout and interval numbers right on your device.
All our plans come with predicted TSS and ongoing testing, and they include the all-new progressive, fatigue resistance, intensive, and extensive workouts! Our training plans are so powerful you won't need a coach. Ride your best this season and CRUSH your buddies!
Included with your plan:
- Instruction sheet (attached to the first day of the plan)
- Testing protocol
- Coaching comments and tips
Need help loading your structured works to your device or smart trainer?
Click here to read instructions.
More plans
Tim Cusick has written dozens of training plans for many different areas of cycling: road, gravel, time trial, mountain bike, cyclocross, indoor training, and more. Click here for a full list of his current plans by sport type and click here for a comparison chart of his major plans.
Questions?
Click here to view a list of frequently asked questions about our training plans. If you don't find your answer over there, please email Coach Kathy Watts.
Stats
Average Weekly Breakdown
| Workouts | Weekly Average | Longest Workout |
|---|---|---|
|
|
9:41 hrs | 3:00 hrs |
|
|
—— | —— |
| Workouts Per Week | Weekly Average | Longest Workout | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
9:41 hrs | 3:00 hrs | |
|
|
—— | —— |
Training Load By Week
This plan works best with the following fitness devices:
- Power Meter
- Heart Rate Monitor
Sample Day 1
WU:
10-15 minutes warm up, progressing to Zone 2
TARGET: PW Z2/HR Z2/PE 4-5
CADENCE: Self selected with 2 x 1-minute Fast Pedals to wake up legs
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MS1:
1 x 30-Minute Tempo Interval
TARGET: Tempo (PW Z3/HR Z3/RPE 4-5)
CADENCE: 1 gear harder/slower RPM than normal self selection, target 75 RPM.
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MS2:
Ride remaining prescribed time in Endurance zone
TARGET: Endurance (PW Z2/HR Z2/PE 4-5)
CADENCE: 85-105 RPM. Vary cadence throughout ride and work on pedaling form.
TERRAIN: Flat to rolling
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CD:
Cool down 5-15 minutes
TARGET: PW Z1/HR Z1/PE 2-3
CADENCE: small chain ring
Sample Day 2
WU:
10-15 minutes warm up, progressing to Zone 2
TARGET: PW Z2/HR Z2/PE 4-5
CADENCE: Self selected with 2 x 1 minute Fast Pedals to wake up legs
------
MS:
Ride prescribed time in Endurance zone
TARGET: Endurance (PW Z2 / HR Z2 / PE 4-5)
CADENCE: 85-105 rpm. Vary cadence throughout ride and work on pedaling form.
CADENCE DRILLS: 1 x 60 minutes of alternating high cadence (HC, 95+ rpm) for 5 minutes and self-selected cadence for 5 minutes.
TERRAIN: Flat to rolling
------
CD:
Cool down 5-15 minutes
TARGET: PW Z1/HR Z1/PE 2-3
CADENCE: small chain ring
Sample Day 3
WU:
10-15 minutes warm up, progressing to Zone 2
TARGET: PW Z2/HR Z2/PE 4-5
CADENCE: Self selected with 2 x 1 minute Fast Pedals to wake up legs
------
MS:
Ride prescribed time in Endurance zone
TARGET: Endurance (PW Z2/HR Z2/PE 4-5)
CADENCE: 85-105 rpm. Vary cadence throughout ride and work on pedaling form.
TERRAIN: Flat to rolling
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MS2: For the last 30-40 minutes of ride, pick up the effort to solid tempo zone.
TARGET: Tempo (PW Z3/HR Z3/RPE 4-5)
CADENCE: 1 gear harder/slower RPM than normal self selection; target 75 RPM.
------
CD:
Cool down 5-15 minutes
TARGET: PW Z1/HR Z1/PE 2-3
CADENCE: small chain ring
Sample Day 4
You get faster when you're resting and recovering, not when you're working hard! Rest days are about going easy enough to really allow your legs to recover, so no efforts over Level/Zone 1 today. Take it easy and look at the scenery.
Sample Day 5
WU:
10-15 minutes warm up, progressing to Zone 2
TARGET: PW Z2/HR Z2/PE 4-5
CADENCE: Self selected with 2 x 1 minute Fast Pedals to wake up legs
-------
MS1:
3 x 90-second opener intervals
TARGET: VO2max (PW Z5/HR Z5/REP 6-7)
REST: 3 minutes easy riding after first two, then 3-5 minutes after last interval to recover before MS2.
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MS2: 5-Minute Hard Effort
This 5-minute effort should be done at maximum. Start the effort at a high pace, but not so hard that you cannot finish strong. Really hammer out the last 45 seconds. The goal is to generate a max 5-minute VO2max test.
Ride all remaining time in your Endurance zone.
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CD:
Cool down 5-15 minutes
TARGET: PW Z1/HR Z1/PE 2-3
CADENCE: small chain ring
Sample Day 6
WU:
10-15 minutes warm up, progressing to Zone 2
TARGET: PW Z2/HR Z2/PE 4-5
CADENCE: Self selected with 2 x 1 minute Fast Pedals to wake up legs
-------
MS1:
3 x 90-Second Opener Intervals
TARGET: VO2max (PW Z5/HR Z5/REP 6-7)
REST: 3 minutes easy riding after first two, then 3-5 minutes after last interval to recover before MS2.
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MS2:
20-Minute Time Trial
Try to do this on a road that is fairly flat and allows you to put out strong, steady power for the entire 20-minute effort. Don’t start too hard! You can do this on a steady climb or into a headwind to help produce steady power throughout the 20-minute effort. Once complete, ride any remaining time in your Endurance zone.
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CD:
Cool down 5-15 minutes
TARGET: PW Z1/HR Z1/PE 2-3
CADENCE: small chain ring
Sample Day 8
WU:
10-15 minutes warm up, progressing to Zone 2
TARGET: PW Z2/HR Z2/PE 4-5
CADENCE: Self selected with 2 x 1 minute Fast Pedals to wake up legs
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MS1:
2 x 20-minute Sweet Spot Intervals (SSI)
TARGET: Sweet Spot (PW Z3.5/HR Z3.5/RPE 5-7)
REST: 5 minutes easy riding between
CADENCE: Self selected but do not let cadence drop as you fatigue
TERRAIN: Flat to rolling (or steady, low-grade climb if available)
Ride all remaining time in your Endurance zone.
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CD:
Cool down 5-15 minutes
TARGET: PW Z1/HR Z1/PE 2-3
Cadence: small chain ring