location in the years training plan

byron27

I have been working at creating my own training program for the last 3-4 months and have reached a bit of a sticking point that i would appreciate some advice with.

About 14 weeks ago i finished working as a bike courier (messenger) and began an office based job. I decided to then structure a training program for myself. I took 3 weeks off to allow my body to recover from the 8 years of battering i have given it on the bike and then began the "intermediate" program in Lance Armstrongs Training book. I have completed this with minimal problems and then purchased joe friels "training bible" and have began the process of creating a plan based upon the principles outlined in that book. My focus for the next 4 months will be criteriums and in about march to april the road race season begins here in perth. This continues through until about september. So i am looking to have two peaks this season.

My main concern has been "where do i stand in relation to the steps that joe subscribes to in his book?". Am i at the "base" stage or the "build" stage?. I feel with 3 months of long training rides and my 8 year history of riding for many hours a day that i would have the base aspect covered?. what does everyone think?.

Another question is "What is the best way to structure training for crits?". I have been thinking along the lines of 3-4 intense sessions a week (including the race) along with recovery sessions filling out the rest of the week. Is this a reasonable plan?

thanks for the help.