The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS Step-by-Step Guide to Building An Annual Training Plan (#288)
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Jan 7, 2026 Learn how to craft an effective annual training plan tailored to peak your performance for key events. Discover the importance of periodization and how to utilize TrainingPeaks for efficient planning. Hear tips on identifying key events, setting realistic training hours, and assessing current fitness levels. Avoid common pitfalls like overplanning and rigidity. Embrace a practical mindset that values consistency over perfection, ensuring you’re well-prepared for every challenge throughout the year.
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Pick Key Events And Assess Capacity
- Identify one to three key events you want to peak for and pin their dates on your calendar.
- Estimate realistic weekly training hours and assess current fitness honestly before planning.
Use Simple Tools First
- Use a simple periodization spreadsheet to map big-picture phases and avoid getting lost in details.
- Use the TrainingPeaks Annual Training Plan Builder for scheduling and CTL estimates if you want more granularity.
Periodization Structure Works In Cycles
- Break the year into mesocycles: base, build, peak, perform, and transition.
- These repeated cycles create the foundation, intensification, peak, and recovery needed for timed performance.