Time crunched endurance training?

cyclingsheep

I am a 40yo with an 8month old baby girl. I have entered Etape du Tour Act 2 this year and am trying to get training in. Although I can get longer rides in over the weekends during the week I am looking after her so am very pushed for time. I basically get two sessions a day while she naps but these are never more than an hour and often closer to half an hour. What is the best training I can sqeeze into this time to build my endurance? Power isn't an issue but longevity is.....help?

mikeradar

Consecutive training days may be the key here.

Do you have a turbo at home? This means you can get more focussed training during the week without having to worry about lights, routes, getting home late etc.

twotyred

Like Mike says get a turbo. You can do a good session on a turbo in 45 mins -1hr. Do that three days through the week plus your longer rides at the weekend and you'll be fine.

Garry H

I'm in exactly the same boat, 8 month old baby girl as well, (except I have to go to work). As has already been said, a turbo trainer is the answer. I manage one long ride at the weekend and three turbo sessions during the week, maximum of one hour each. I've also just added two shortish runs of about 30 minutes each in as well.

cyclingsheep

Yes I have a turbo and am getting onto it as much as possible. I guess my question really is, what type of sessions should I be doing in the 30-60 mins I have on the turbo?

bigpikle

the obvious answer is probably to target threshold sessions eg 2x20, 3x15, 2x30 type of efforts that fit neatly into an hour, or a little over when you get it. Quality work that will yield good benefits over time and maximise value from the sessions. Do your longer endurance sessions at weekends as you suggest. Maybe as you near the event you can add a little 5x5 or other sessions more focused on VO2 max development?