Trailing Volume
Timing the peak
In this coaches corner we discuss trailing volume and how it relates to your training fitness and peaks.
What is trailing volume? Fitness builds slowly and has a lag effect to when it was built. We measure total training load in a 40 days rolling average of fitness called “Continuous Training Load or CTL”. Trailing volume is the total amount of peak training (TSS) or hours you have achieved and most notably prior to your key race or event. The following key points have been put together for you by our coaches to maximize your trailing volume so that you have the best race possible.
Trailing Volume
Weeks -6-5-4 our from your “A” priority race are critical towards trailing volume. (Fitness and boosted red blood cells ❤️)
In these weeks your body is building the red blood cells that will be utilized not only in training but also on raceday. You are constantly building these red blood cells and recognize that the training you do in the base phases and build phase is also what allows you to have success during these weeks
Longer distances and total hours tend to be more critical at this juncture in favor of any particular speed. For more advanced Atheltes your tristar coach will put an emphasis on strength and speed.
Key sessions in these trailing volume weeks should be race distance and event specificity.
If the trailing weeks volume are not well supported or sustained there is the chance that come raceday you may not have the heart rate conditioning, strength and or stamina to achieve your event goals.
Injury; Injuries can often put a damper on this training load and volume. In these cases if you are a multisport athlete it make sense to shift to other areas for cross training such as biking and swimming to keep the trailing volume high.
No shortcuts; Often times when these key weeks tend to be missed or are not done with as much volume as you would have liked, the tendency is to “cram” for the event. In reality this is not do-able due to the fact that it will likely leave you too fatigued come race week.
If you do miss key sessions an or weeks your Tristar coach will modify your plan so that you maintain the best training possible and suggest alternate sessions and days to keep on track as best as you can.
For questions about how this relates to you and your current season plan and peak events, reach out to your certified Tristar Coach.
Tristar Athletes Coaching Team
