Li Mu Bai Posted February 9, 2016 Posted February 9, 2016 Generally, if your FTP or heart zones are correct, if your CTL (*Blue) is 80-90 then consider yourself VERY fit and strong.
Robrider Posted February 9, 2016 Posted February 9, 2016 Ok, so rather trust the taper and don't freak out if the CTL drops, just make sure the TSB goes up. I know that I'm overdue for an FTP test but I can't do it now. It will have to wait until after my event. I'm guessing that means that my numbers are probably a little higher than they really are. Although I am training pretty hard. And really starting to feel the difference, seems a pity to start tapering! Hah! See it's messing with my head! Don't over think it for now, you will get used to the numbers. Long story short: Its great but not perfect. Long story:Remember, these graphs are a way of using maths to quantify training. Its kinda revolutionary, but it's also not perfect. In my experience, there are three limitations to these graphs. The one is the "perfect taper", which I don't think the maths can model. The best you can do is use it to make sure your form is rising. But doing nothing for a few days does that on the graphs, and that's definitely not an optimal taper. Even in real life, the perfect taper is more of an art than science I think. The second limitation is way the maths copes with intensity vs duration using the IF is ok, but not perfect. A high intensity interval session will fatigue me very differently to a low cadence strength interval session, which will also be different to an LSD ride. The IF doesn't quite handle the difference very well. The third limitation is "non exercise fatigue". Things like sickness, stress at work, etc. increase your fatigue but don't increase your fitness. If you are sick and take a day off training the graphs suddenly say you are fresh, but you aren't. Another example- I went on a hike in December and when I came back it said I was very fresh (basically race ready) but I was quite fatigued from the hiking. However, if I added the hiking as exercise, the graph then said I got way fitter, which I didn't really.
NordicElf Posted February 9, 2016 Author Posted February 9, 2016 Don't over think it for now, you will get used to the numbers. Long story short: Its great but not perfect. Long story:Remember, these graphs are a way of using maths to quantify training. Its kinda revolutionary, but it's also not perfect. In my experience, there are three limitations to these graphs. The one is the "perfect taper", which I don't think the maths can model. The best you can do is use it to make sure your form is rising. But doing nothing for a few days does that on the graphs, and that's definitely not an optimal taper. Even in real life, the perfect taper is more of an art than science I think. The second limitation is way the maths copes with intensity vs duration using the IF is ok, but not perfect. A high intensity interval session will fatigue me very differently to a low cadence strength interval session, which will also be different to an LSD ride. The IF doesn't quite handle the difference very well. The third limitation is "non exercise fatigue". Things like sickness, stress at work, etc. increase your fatigue but don't increase your fitness. If you are sick and take a day off training the graphs suddenly say you are fresh, but you aren't. Another example- I went on a hike in December and when I came back it said I was very fresh (basically race ready) but I was quite fatigued from the hiking. However, if I added the hiking as exercise, the graph then said I got way fitter, which I didn't really. Thank you for this! This is what I was looking for, people's experience of using the graphs to help them with their training. I think the graph has confirmed what I suspected but been too nervous to admit, my training has been pretty consistent and at a good level. So it's given me some confidence in what I've been doing, thats a big positive. I think I'll trust my taper plan, seeing as the rest of my training has been working and go on feel and just observe the graph during that period. Next time I taper I'll have a much better idea of what is going on.
NordicElf Posted February 11, 2016 Author Posted February 11, 2016 Hmmm, may graph is looking rather flat. Not that I can do anything about it now. My event is in 2 weeks time. Anything I should consider in the future?
Robrider Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 Nordic, I was looking for something else, and I stumbled on to these articles about training and tapering if you are interested... http://www.joefrielsblog.com/2011/05/7-basic-training-assumptions.htmlhttp://www.trainingbible.com/joesblog/2009/08/peaking.html
NordicElf Posted February 12, 2016 Author Posted February 12, 2016 Nordic, I was looking for something else, and I stumbled on to these articles about training and tapering if you are interested... http://www.joefrielsblog.com/2011/05/7-basic-training-assumptions.htmlhttp://www.trainingbible.com/joesblog/2009/08/peaking.html Thanks Rob! Great articles!
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.