The training year is usually concluded with a short period during which both the volume and intensity of training are considerably reduced. After constant training phases and event planning this is often a welcome break, re-introduces freshness and ‘hunger’ to train hard.
It’s often a good time to introduce new methods of basic training that have not been tried before, and an excellent opportunity to review the year’s training and events with the intention of planning the following year.
Planning a year’s training and events starts with identifying goals (targets) to aim at.
This gives the plan a sense of purpose. However, goals need to be realistic and
Flexible if it is to be seen as part of an overall development. It will need to be modified in the light of what happened in the previous year, and will itself provide the platform for planning the following year.
Goals should be specific (eg: ‘I want to be three minutes faster in a 25 mile TT’ or ‘I want to complete a 200k audax’.
Avoid goals that are vague for example ’I want to a better standard next year.
A desired goal should be measurable in some way. Assessment of progress is an excellent incentive to keep on track. Goals need to be decided and agreed with guidance where necessary from me. You are more likely to accept goals if you set them, rather than have them set for you, goals should be performance-based rather than outcome-based.
That is, the success of the goal should rest on you the performer achieving a desired level of performance which is usually directly under your control rather than those that rest on the outcome of an event: these are not completely under your control because they can be affected by such things as course conditions, weather, and other riders.
Goals need to be realistic. If they are too easy, they will provide little incentive; too hard and they may lead to discouragement. There should be a time set by which the goal is to be achieved. A series of minor goals, to be achieved within a specified time, leading up to a major goal is a good way to provide progression, as well as a means of assessment. The goals should be challenging, and be of some importance. It is also important to record the goals in some way. This helps to increase commitment by being a constant reminder. The major yearly goals should be a realistic set of targets, which may need revision later in the year - it may be necessary to downgrade or upgrade goals in the light of what actually happens as the year unfolds.