Race Builds can be a valuable tool in your Squad training -- but you will only use them sparingly. Most of the year, you'll be on Baseline.

About Baseline vs. Race Builds

Should I use Baseline or a Race Build?

Which Race Build should I apply?

How do I apply or remove a Race Build?

BASELINE VS. RACE BUILDS

• Remember, the Baseline isn't 'base' training. It is structured and progressive. Its focus varies throughout the year, with workouts shifting significantly during different points in the season. This structure is critical whether you're racing frequently or not racing at all: the body loves variance and progression, and you'll get your best training yield when you commit to Baseline long-term.
• The Baseline program's unique design does an excellent job of preparing you for great racing: in many cases you'll 'race off the Baseline' (we'll talk more about this below). Even if you race frequently, Baseline is what you will use most of the season. You will only generally use a longer Race Build 1-2 times per year for your A races.
• Consistently using Baseline for the majority of the year allows you to quickly shift into 'race-ready' without creating extensive fatigue, negatively impacting your existing schedule, or eroding critical supporting habits in the process. You can launch into many races right from the Baseline simply on the fitness you have (more on this below). If you do use a build, you will arrive at the start of your build with a great platform of health and fitness.
• If you're always tapering, recovering, or trying to peak, that means you aren't putting in the critical progressive work to optimize your performance. This is why we emphasize staying on Baseline for most of the year, and only using a (full length) race build at most twice per year.
• Because Baseline is so effective, and our race builds are designed to be used in conjunction with Baseline, the builds are relatively short. The Baseline program already developed a great platform of fitness and resilience, and already includes a race-specific phase, so the race builds are only needed to sharpen up for specific circumstances.
• That said, Race Builds are still important, and are designed to hone your race-readiness in situations where the Baseline doesn't quite offer the focus, volume, or specificity you need.
• Equally important is the fact that most race builds include structured recovery, which will help ensure you can return to training with minimal risk of fatigue or injury.

SHOULD I USE THE BASELINE OR A RACE BUILD?

When deciding what to use, there are several factors you will want to consider, including:

• Race priority: is this one of your 1-2 A-races for the year?
  • If it is, you'll probably use a full build.
• Time of year: are we in a race-specific phase of training or not?
  
  • If the Baseline is already race-specific, you're more likely to race off the Baseline.
• Race length: are you preparing for a sprint tri or 5k/10k vs. a full-distance IRONMAN or marathon?
  
  • The longer the race, the more likely you are to use a build.
• Athlete level & goals: are you a newer athlete, or an experienced front-of-the-pack amateur? Are you looking to simply finish and have fun, or are you trying to qualify for Kona or get a BQ?
  • Your goals, confidence, fitness, and experience level may influence whether you use a build.
• Other factors, like doing back-to-back races, may also affect your decisions. This is part of why getting a coach consult is strongly recommended to help you plan out your season and use race builds strategically!

WHAT BUILD SHOULD I APPLY?

Race builds provide you with extra guidance and directed structure for your races, along with a structure for your race week, and (usually) a recovery period. We offer builds for a variety of race types and season strategies. Below are some general guidelines for selecting a build, but we strongly recommend booking a coach consult to get your race-specific training plans dialed in.

• If you're racing a Sprint/Oly (or for Run Squad, a 5k/10k):
  • If it's your main A-race for the year, we recommend using the full Sprint/Oly build (or the 5k/10k bui;d).
  • If you're racing it as a B-race, you will likely just use the Race off the Baseline build or simply adjust the training 1-2 days before and after the event (for example, if your race is on Sunday, you might skip your long intense Saturday workout and replace it with the Prep Ride in the Optional Workout Library.)
• If you're racing a full-distance event (140.6 triathlon, marathon, etc), regardless of time of year or race priority:
  • You will typically want to use the full build for that type of event -- again, this is with the understanding that you would have at most 2 of these set as A-races, so you would only be on a long build twice per year.
• If you're racing a 70.3 distance (or a half marathon for Run Squad)...
  • As your A-race, you will typically use a full build.
  • For B-race middle distance events (for example as a primer leading into an IRONMAN a few months later), you'll typically use the Race off the Baseline mini build -- especially if the event is between April-October, during our more race-specific phase.
• The Race off the Baseline mini build is also a great option for races from 10K's and half marathons and most B-race triathlons of 70.3 distance or shorter. It includes a race week and recovery week, giving you the structure you need on either side of your race, while allowing you to maximize the benefits that come with following the Baseline plan. For most of your smaller/B-races during the year, if you use anything, it will be this.

There are lots of exceptions to the above guidelines! We cannot overstate how important it is to book a coach consult for help determining which build (if any) is right for you and your race schedule, and/or for help adapting Baseline sessions into a customized race-focused block of your own.

HOW DO I APPLY A BUILD?

• Login to Trainingpeaks from a desktop/laptop (builds not available via app)
• Click Training Plans on the left side of your screen
• Click on the plan you want to apply
• Under the Apply Plan drop-down, select END
• Edit the end date based on the type of race you are doing:
  • Full IRONMAN: 2 Sundays after race
  • 70.3, marathon, sprint/Oly, or Race off the Baseline: 1 Sunday after race
• Click Apply
• Click the refresh button in the top right corner of TrainingPeaks to ensure the build is applied successfully

To remove a build, repeat the first three steps then click "Remove".

NOTE: Race Builds will prevent Baseline from loading for the entire timeframe of the build, even if you delete individual sessions within the build. If you want to return to Baseline partway through a build, make sure you remove the build itself to get Baseline to re-populate in your training calendar! (This will not delete out any previous Build sessions you already completed)

If you need help applying your build, just reach out to info@purplepatchfitness.com and we'll be happy to help!