Periodization or Planned Performance Training as I prefer to call it is not about time it is about timing. Essentially it is the timing of the application of the training stresses. It is easy to lose sight of the fact that different physical qualities have different times to adaptation. The art and science of this is to manipulate all the components so that they interact positively to achieve the desired adaptation. The length of the training periods (microcycle, mesocycle, block) needs to reflect the varied times to adaptation of different physical qualities based on the current emphasis in training. The ultimate goal is to prepare the athlete for competition and we should never lose sight of that. Even in a so-called training to train phase we must keep the competition goals clearly in the sights. In my experience when you do what you do trumps all else, so pay close attention to timing and make time secondary.Time may be money but timing is everything in training and in life.
