The big question I get from many athletes is when do I need to start focusing on my training if I'm doing "x" event on "x" date. I'm here to say that yes there is too long and yes there is too short. So that begs to ask the question stated above, how long to focus on a big event.
Some may say a year in advance, and depending on who you ask you may come across different answers, but what I find best is 6-8 months of structured training leading up to an event works best. There are so many things that go with this though that I feel I must touch on all aspects regarding time and training load.