What to Do When Your Race is Cancelled

Frank Overton March 13, 2020

In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the timing of your training for the 2020 cycling season has changed. Races are in question, stress is high, and a lot of us are wondering how to proceed with our seasons with so much being up in the air. So we decided to sit down and chat about the age old question: what should we do when our races get cancelled? How do we proceed when plans change? A lot of us are in this position, so we hope that this clears some of the worry and unknown when it comes to the next few weeks of the season.

#KeepCalmAndFtFPOn . Here are 3 training scenarios if your plans have changed per our "Timing is Everything" Podcast:

#1 your next race is in 6-10 weeks (and/or you have MORE time to train):

Keep raising your CTL (Chronic Training Load) - everybody benefits from a 'bigger base' so keep building. In other words go from 'race' back to 'base' [reverse!] . In this case we advocate a Sweet Spot Part 3 training plan approach. With a ramp rate of 3-4 TSS per week you now have the opportunity to take your CTL 12 - 16 TSS/day higher from 75 - 90 (for example) which will make a big difference in not only your endurance but also your power output.

#2 your next race is in 6-10 weeks (and you have LESS time to train):

For example, your kids are home from school and you can't ride outdoors like normal. In this case you may adopt a 'go harder to compensate for less time to train' approach to your goals from an interval training plan like the ones here.

#3 you are a cyclocross'er in the off season and don't want to go to the gym anymore [#flattenthecurve]

We advocate making your own home gym with the strength and conditioning movements we prescribe in our 10 week resistance training plan. You'll have to let go of the squat, leg press and leg curl from the plan and double down on these strength and conditioning movements and routines

I feel great and FAST Right Now:

Good (!) & congratulations! Sounds like your training is working (you've been #FtFP'ing). Here are a few things you can do to flex your muscle:

#1 measure how much faster you are with a 20 minute Field Test - not the 'funnest' so perhaps # 2 is your jam

#2 go for your favorite Strava segment for a PR - take a page out of FasCat Athlete Phil Gaimon's playbook and test yourself agains your previous best.

We hope these suggestions and podcast help - that's what we're here for: to help you go faster on the bike. Should you have anymore questions, concerns, dilemmas, obstacles, etc... reach out to your FasCat Coach, hire one or go to our athlete forum and post your question - we'd be glad to try and help!

#SECRETTRAINING: DON'T FORGET YOUR LEG WARMERS

COVID-19 Training

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So far Im loving the

So far Im loving the 16 week program. It’s the best off season training program I’ve ever done. Also, The app is very functional a...

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FasCat has been amazing. I’ve just subscribed to the full year plan and can’t wait to shift from base to race! I’m currently doing...

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FasCat has been amazing. I’ve just subscribed to the full year plan and can’t wait to shift from base to race! I’m currently doing...

ben L.

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Excellent training plan, It isdemanding, all workouts are hard, therefore, you will improve your FTP. I couldn't did all the days,...

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It works, very demanding!

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I loved the plan. This

I loved the plan. This plan kept me motivated and focused through the end of the summer. I would highly recommend anyone this plan...

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I loved the plan. This plan kept me motivated and focused through the end of the summer. I would highly recommend anyone this plan...

Ed K.

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I am not one for writing reviews but, after working with Coach Sierra I felt one was warranted.

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I am not one for writing reviews but, after working with Coach Sierra I felt one was warranted.

I have worked with Sierra...

Ryan K.

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Foundation : 3 Weeks

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This is my first training program through fascat, and I was very happy to see how their routines are laid out. During the week, yo...

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Great training program for the working cyclist

Gravel Training Plan

This is my first training program through fascat, and I was very happy to see how their routines are laid out. During the week, yo...

TyTy9722

11/30/22

So far Im loving the

So far Im loving the 16 week program. It’s the best off season training program I’ve ever done. Also, The app is very functional a...

Gerald J.

11/30/22

So far Im loving the

So far Im loving the 16 week program. It’s the best off season training program I’ve ever done. Also, The app is very functional a...

Gerald J.

Six Weeks Till Cyclocross

09/08/22

So far so good..

Over 1/2 way through the plan and like this best of all my plans. Really Ike the over/under and CX start workouts mixed with runni...

Keith M.

09/08/22

So far so good..

Six Weeks Till Cyclocross

Over 1/2 way through the plan and like this best of all my plans. Really Ike the over/under and CX start workouts mixed with runni...

Keith M.

11/29/22

FasCat has been amazing. I’ve

FasCat has been amazing. I’ve just subscribed to the full year plan and can’t wait to shift from base to race! I’m currently doing...

ben L.

11/29/22

FasCat has been amazing. I’ve

FasCat has been amazing. I’ve just subscribed to the full year plan and can’t wait to shift from base to race! I’m currently doing...

ben L.

Climbing Intervals

06/25/22

It works, very demanding!

Excellent training plan, It isdemanding, all workouts are hard, therefore, you will improve your FTP. I couldn't did all the days,...

Tania V.

06/25/22

It works, very demanding!

Climbing Intervals

Excellent training plan, It isdemanding, all workouts are hard, therefore, you will improve your FTP. I couldn't did all the days,...

Tania V.

Road Racing Intervals

09/16/20

I loved the plan. This

I loved the plan. This plan kept me motivated and focused through the end of the summer. I would highly recommend anyone this plan...

Ed K.

09/16/20

I loved the plan. This

Road Racing Intervals

I loved the plan. This plan kept me motivated and focused through the end of the summer. I would highly recommend anyone this plan...

Ed K.

05/08/24

Coach Sierra Don’t think twice just Click “purchase”

I am not one for writing reviews but, after working with Coach Sierra I felt one was warranted.

I have worked with Sierra...

Ryan K.

05/08/24

Coach Sierra Don’t think twice just Click “purchase”

I am not one for writing reviews but, after working with Coach Sierra I felt one was warranted.

I have worked with Sierra...

Ryan K.

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What to Do When Your Race is Cancelled

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