Training Status??? (IV)
#3128
Don't deprive me of my inflated TSS!!
Regarding FTP, it may be low, but it is based off my last test. My body just falls apart after 10 minutes and power plummets. I get high TSS values when I hit a few 30-60s efforts at full gas (~750 watts) with recovery (150-200 watts) between efforts. Last night was on the trainer and consisted of 4 or 5 30s sprints around 800 watts and a 75s effort around 600 watts. Couldn't shift into big ring for some reason so I was in advertently getting some high cadence stuff (140), too.
Have been working hard this offseason with sustained efforts around 20min (a lot of 2x20's) and could probably bump my FTP up after another test. Was supposed to test a couple days after dislocating my shoulder, but that all went out the window while I've been recovering. I'll probably do another test in a couple weeks after getting some regular riding in.
Regarding FTP, it may be low, but it is based off my last test. My body just falls apart after 10 minutes and power plummets. I get high TSS values when I hit a few 30-60s efforts at full gas (~750 watts) with recovery (150-200 watts) between efforts. Last night was on the trainer and consisted of 4 or 5 30s sprints around 800 watts and a 75s effort around 600 watts. Couldn't shift into big ring for some reason so I was in advertently getting some high cadence stuff (140), too.
Have been working hard this offseason with sustained efforts around 20min (a lot of 2x20's) and could probably bump my FTP up after another test. Was supposed to test a couple days after dislocating my shoulder, but that all went out the window while I've been recovering. I'll probably do another test in a couple weeks after getting some regular riding in.
At some point I decided to adjust my FTP to make my numbers make more sense (i.e. if I was getting 120 TSS from a 60 min crit, then it's a sign my #'s are off - adjusting until that crit is closer to 100 is what I did).
Which is not to say my testing totally disagrees with my set FTP, but if I set my Ftp based on actual tests it ends up like yours, too damn high.
In the long run it doesn't matter (TSS anyway) - it only matters if you're doing workouts at X% of FTP, that will mean you're not pushing hard enough in those workouts.
#3129
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I've had a busy week. I did a practice crit on Tuesday night. The local University team were out, many of them doing a crit for the first time. Lots of people who's fitness exceeded their bike handling skills (which is basically how mtn biking is for me but at least I do that solo ha!). I survived. My husband was doing a crit for the first time too. He was the least sketchy of the new people and stayed upright which was a relief as he was on one of my bikes.
Yesterday was intervals. Why does 6x4 min feel so much worse than 3x15?
Today I did the group ride then went to do some climbing. I could feel something wrong with my left cleat/pedal. When I unclipped at the top of the steep climb, a piece of black plastic fell off my cleat. The cleat was now loose and I was miles away from anyone I knew. Luckily I had passed some construction workers on the climb so I rolled to them and we tried to tighten the rest of the cleat down with a screwdriver. I could feel it come loose a few miles later so I didn't unclip from that pedal which felt awkward because I always put that foot down, and I managed to hit a red light at almost every intersection. Made it to work but need new cleats!
Yesterday was intervals. Why does 6x4 min feel so much worse than 3x15?
Today I did the group ride then went to do some climbing. I could feel something wrong with my left cleat/pedal. When I unclipped at the top of the steep climb, a piece of black plastic fell off my cleat. The cleat was now loose and I was miles away from anyone I knew. Luckily I had passed some construction workers on the climb so I rolled to them and we tried to tighten the rest of the cleat down with a screwdriver. I could feel it come loose a few miles later so I didn't unclip from that pedal which felt awkward because I always put that foot down, and I managed to hit a red light at almost every intersection. Made it to work but need new cleats!
#3130
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There's also the W' feature in GC which works well as a check. It said I should up FTP by 3W after this weeks evening surgy crit, which probably means it's set about right.
#3131
Senior Member
I'm similar in the way that I test poorly, but if I set my FTP to what my actual test was, my TSS/IF #'s end up way too high.
At some point I decided to adjust my FTP to make my numbers make more sense (i.e. if I was getting 120 TSS from a 60 min crit, then it's a sign my #'s are off - adjusting until that crit is closer to 100 is what I did).
Which is not to say my testing totally disagrees with my set FTP, but if I set my Ftp based on actual tests it ends up like yours, too damn high.
In the long run it doesn't matter (TSS anyway) - it only matters if you're doing workouts at X% of FTP, that will mean you're not pushing hard enough in those workouts.
At some point I decided to adjust my FTP to make my numbers make more sense (i.e. if I was getting 120 TSS from a 60 min crit, then it's a sign my #'s are off - adjusting until that crit is closer to 100 is what I did).
Which is not to say my testing totally disagrees with my set FTP, but if I set my Ftp based on actual tests it ends up like yours, too damn high.
In the long run it doesn't matter (TSS anyway) - it only matters if you're doing workouts at X% of FTP, that will mean you're not pushing hard enough in those workouts.
#3132
Yeah really.
As a wise woman once said, "Ain't nobody got time for that."
As a wise woman once said, "Ain't nobody got time for that."
#3135
out walking the earth
Thread Starter
#3137
Senior Member
#3138
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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meanwhile, I set my threshold 20w higher than anything I can do on flat ground but a full 40w less than 95% of what I can do uphill.
the real key, like Matt said, is that it doesn't ****ing matter and consistently working hard is about all you can ask for regardless of what the number says.
the real key, like Matt said, is that it doesn't ****ing matter and consistently working hard is about all you can ask for regardless of what the number says.
#3139
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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I did my noon group race-ride today. I was dying. It was windy and cold and I think the last bit of rain washed the dry/wax lube off my chain or something because it felt 5% hard just sitting in. I thought I had a flat or my break was rubbing or my hubs were bad or something.
#3140
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#3141
Version 7.0
Built the left half and filled the right half of the power curve today. Went to the gym for a leg workout featuring warmup, band walking, box jumps, leg presses, pistol squats and roman chair. I do these in sets with recovery between to reload the ATP-PC system. I changed into cycling clothes and went home for 30 minutes of Zwift at low tempo.
#3142
Senior Member
Took a shot at the Zwift SST medium workout...2x30 sweet spot over/under with a 1 minute ~110% interval between sets.
Had to bail halfway into the second interval..tough workout
https://www.strava.com/activities/470586467
I will finish this one eventually
Had to bail halfway into the second interval..tough workout
https://www.strava.com/activities/470586467
I will finish this one eventually
Last edited by Wylde06; 01-14-16 at 09:08 PM.
#3143
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Looking forward to getting back to VA and having someone to ride with. The weather has not been cooperating.
While I kept my weight very low, I feel like this winter break wasn't very successful from a training point of view. Did plenty of tempo, and a good amount of mileage, but didn't really enjoy myself on the bike. Watching bike races isn't the same as riding outside, and riding outside solo while freezing my ass off isn't super fun, either. I headed to the SW for a week hoping to catch better weather, but it wasn't, and only got in one day of off-road riding over the last month. That sucks.
While I kept my weight very low, I feel like this winter break wasn't very successful from a training point of view. Did plenty of tempo, and a good amount of mileage, but didn't really enjoy myself on the bike. Watching bike races isn't the same as riding outside, and riding outside solo while freezing my ass off isn't super fun, either. I headed to the SW for a week hoping to catch better weather, but it wasn't, and only got in one day of off-road riding over the last month. That sucks.
#3145
Senior Member
Morning race ride before riding to work, 3.5 hours total. Sat in on the ride cuz not sure where I am yet in fitness and didn't want to blow up. Late break of around 6 guys got away a few minutes out. I won the field sprint and passed all but 2 guys in the break. Feels good to finally win a sprint here and there even if I'm not first across the line.
#3148
Senior Member
My best 60' NP was within a watt or two of my estimated FTP, and I cracked HARD afterwards. But that was a hilly road race. I've had other 60' NP numbers that were higher than my estimated FTP in crits. Basically, be cautious.
#3150
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This sounds right to me. In my case it was a flattish RR with a lot of wind. Got dropped in the crosswind and suffered like a dog in a headwind to reattach.