“Hey, guys. The state championship road race is this weekend. How should I train for it?”

The knucklehead asking that question in 2005 was me. It’s a question that a different rookie will ask every year. The answer, of course, was and is: “You don’t, Sparky. The training for this week’s race was done six weeks ago.”

And it’s now, as the snow is falling and we’re all desperate to wear short-finger gloves again, that you need to start planning your training and racing for the year.  Random training isn’t training at all. What will your target races be? When will your rest weeks be? When will you make the transition from base and weights to intervals and sprints?

If you’re not familiar with periodization training, do some homework until you know your mesocycle from your unicycle. (Many people find Joe Friel’s “Cyclist’s Training Bible” a good primer.) Even though this season’s schedule isn’t fleshed out, you can consult the 2008 calendar and count on most races to be on similar weekends. And don’t forget to consult your families and significant others: Plan for vacations and other life events. (And don’t freak out if life throws a curve ball. Even the best plan needs to be flexible.)

The state championship road race will be Aug. 23. How will you be training for it?