Reverse periodisation for triathlon
Periodisation is the principle of adapting a training load over an extended period… 12 months or a ‘season’ is the common time frame used.
Periodisation is about manipulating different factors, such as intensity and duration of sessions based on the time line to race day. This is commonly described by the need to accumulate ‘base miles’ and then adding intensity as an event approaches…
Reverse periodisation is another option for planning of a year / season. This logic is about maintaining intensity through your ‘winter’ or ‘off season’ and adding volume relative to the demands of the competition as it draws closer
This option can be very useful for age group triathletes! Why? Well put simply, it takes the pressure off needing to complete long, easy kilometres in the cold, wet and dark months…
Now, that is a very crude and over-simplified answer as there are many other factors and variables to consider, however, if you’re a Melbourne-based long course triathlete, it might be a consideration for you. Perhaps even more prudent for those that reside in the US and Europe and have snow and ice to contend with!
My point is not to panic and stress about getting long bike rides done through winter, but perhaps focus on your strength and then increase the duration of efforts over time and then overall volume when the weather starts to improve… and the event gets closer.
This will keep you fresh, give you a clear focus, take the pressure off and give you a clear path for training progression.
Train smart