OVERLOAD & TAPER TRAINING BLOCK

This block is part of a broader training system designed to help you apply core training principles to your situation.

Rather than prescribing a fixed plan, these blocks are meant to be used as templates — customized based on your available time, current fitness, and where you are in the season. The Annual Training Plan (ATP) provides the framework for making those adjustments.

When this block makes sense

OVERLOAD & TAPER is most appropriate when:
-you have a specific A-priority event or goal you’re preparing for
-you’ve already built strong fitness and resilience leading into it
-you can tolerate a short period of higher training stress
-timing and recovery are clearly planned

This block includes a short overload phase followed by a structured taper intended to reduce fatigue and allow fitness to express itself for an A-priority event. Because of the higher demands and tighter timing, this block should be used intentionally and sparingly.

Overall workload, intensity, and taper length can be adjusted depending on your background, recovery capacity, and the importance of the target event.

This phase assumes you are entering with strong underlying fitness. Ramp rates are typically more aggressive than in development blocks, and recovery is planned deliberately rather than reactively. For best results, this block should be used after you’ve already learned how to manage workload and make adjustments through earlier blocks in the system.

Because timing and recovery are critical, this block is best reserved for clear A-priority events rather than general fitness building.

If you’re not already using the ATP, you can request access here:
👉 atp.trocycling.com

Note: A TrainingPeaks Premium account is required to modify workouts.