It's about 2 months till the Cyclocross season starts in mid September. I have been looking to start increasing the intensity of my training and could use some good tips and pre-season program experience?

Also, Morgan was talking about starting up a regular CX training event. Kinda like the tues night POO rides, but without the traintracks and 18-wheelers. Last year I met up with him 7am to run CX drills and intervals. Any interest from others. Would Wed mornings at 7am work? If you build it they will come...
ECL

First, thanks to Ed. I love this.

Second, on the morning cross training, I'd love it if that came together. Wednesday actually isn't great for me, but I'll try to get on board with whatever. Even earlier (6:30-6:45) is better for me.

Finally, my very small contribution to training-thinking: My annual calendar puts me late in the road season; I'm really just now ramping up for some late races. So I'll do what I can to carry and tailor fitness for cross. I'm thinking that around August 1 I'll pull back on long rides and add in core work, some strength, some running, skills (especially tight cornering in the dirt) and mostly short, redlining bursts, sliding back into LT, which is where I tend to lose ground. So no more 5 minute steady-state intervals, but 2 minutes at sub-LT, jump for 30 seconds and then slide back to just sub-LT. Something like that?

I'll also take a look at the working man's plan. Fired up for cross.
M

Fee, i have heard of this working man's training plan, but thought it was merely an urban legend. can you post some more info on this?
ps. do you want the sparkly glitter wand or more the tree branch variety?
ECL

My training plan is to start with pints of belgian ale, then graduate to boots of trappist trippels

I'm back to building base right now...doing a couple of weeks of long rides, moderate to mild intensity. I've been doing core all along, but will be adding some Plyometric, stairs, and 20sec on x 1min off sprint efforts starting in August. I'm also trying to simulate the race experience...and avoid my inevitable loss of position after the first 15 to 20 minutes (where I'm usually in the top 5 to 10, but fade after that). 7am on Wednesday is awefully darned early after POO laps...maybe Wednesday evening instead? Around 6pm or 7pm?

...orange star on the tip of my "wand" please

Had a Chimay last night for my 1st cross workout. I plan on doing the occasional urban cross workouts at the cleveland cascade soon. Got to see where they fit I cannot do morning workouts, but could manage an evening one. 6:00 or 7:00 pm. maybe in place of/alternate w/ the PORT.
Cross is all about threshhold power. 1 min and 5 min efforts are key. My 3 least fav. workouts(read: most beneficial) :
1) 45min-1hr blocks at 90% of LT w/ 15 sec jumps to 500-600W every 2 to 3 minutes...settling back to 90% LT. such a treat.
2) micro bursts. 3x10min blocks of 15sec@150%FTP/15sec@50%FTP.
3) starts. 15sec@300%ftp+15sec@200FTP+30sec@150%ftp+9 minutes@FTP. rinse and repeat.

those hurt me just typing them. i'm in trouble

set a day and time and I'll be there...... evening or am
Thomas we are neighbors we hook up for 1 hour and five.
I just got a evening light to go offroad.

I drinking Summerfest but the bottle is getting empty quickly
But will need to lay off the stuff once cross season starts
Hey guys I got a new favorite beer: the seventh one
Can I get two beers and skip the fairy wand