Since I got my arse handed to me on a fairly frequent basis last season, I decided to do something about it. I HATE to do something poorly (I don't have to win, but I don't like to s%ck). So, I've been following a training regemine that our club trainer has put together for road racers, just doing it 2 months behind them. Well, at least for now, it seems to be working. At this point in the season I'd normally be going out for 2-4 hr rides with no real direction as far as intensity and duration was concerned. Now I have a plan to follow and I'll follow it (with a few variations-something in me HAS to change directions even just a bit:p ). So far, so good. I feel much stronger and my avg speeds are showing it. Still, I wouldn't be too concerned, my fellow east-coast crossers :D. H*ll, I may even enter a crit or 2 late in the season.

So, I've been following a training regemine that our club trainer has put together for road racers, just doing it 2 months behind them. Well, at least for now, it seems to be working. At this point in the season I'd normally be going out for 2-4 hr rides with no real direction as far as intensity and duration was concerned.

You can be a very successful cross racer without doing a ride over 90 minutes. I know since that's what I did last year. There have been some discussions about fewer hours, more intensity over in the training forum. I think the salient points are 1) make your hours count -- tempo, intervals, hills, 2) recover, 3) listen to your body and understand when you can go hard and when you need to rest.

Sounds great that you've got a plan and are sticking with it!

One of the reasons that i love cross racing is that being a big guy like myself (225lbs) doesnt really hurt me to bad. So i lift often to complement my road and mtn work. Following a real training plan is the way you want to go if you want real results. I race for fun and enjoyment so a train plan is not what i need to follow. However many people don't use a plan of any kind so you will be way ahead of the curve. Good luck and keep us posted.
Bill

I need plans. I need structure. Otherwise, I'll stay indoors and play PS2:p

skimming ahead a few months in my training plan, to 'cross time. i have very few rides over 1.5 hrs....especailly once we really get into the season. what gripped said rings really true as well...