Knersboy Posted June 10, 2019 Posted June 10, 2019 So I recently had cervical fusion, which resulted in me being at home for 4 weeks, and as I am still in a neck brace I can’t ride outside until end June. The symptoms and doctors orders kept me from riding outside from the beginning of the year, so my form is obviously not great. I have been using Zwift for a few years now, and decided I would use this opportunity to do one of the training plans on Zwift. Haven’t done structured training since I was racing as a laaitie, I am a weekend warrior, with the odd trainer ride thrown in the mix. I got the racing bug out of my system years ago, I ride my bikes cos I dig it, but that doesn’t mean I like getting dropped by my mates. Usually train hard if I plan to do a race, so that I can enjoy the race and not hate it. I started the Gran Fondo plan, scheduled it for 6 weeks. I am on week 2 and, um, it feels a bit easy. Anyone completed any of these plans? If so, how were the results?
RocknRolla Posted June 10, 2019 Posted June 10, 2019 Have you done a FTP test recently? Perhaps the program becomes more difficult as time progresses? Have personally not followed a plan, but any structure is better than no structure. Making sure your Zwift ftp is accurate, will make sure your training in the correct zones.
Knersboy Posted June 10, 2019 Author Posted June 10, 2019 Have you done a FTP test recently?Perhaps the program becomes more difficult as time progresses? Have personally not followed a plan, but any structure is better than no structure. Making sure your Zwift ftp is accurate, will make sure your training in the correct zones.Yeah, I did the ftp test before I started the plan. However what I have seen previously on Zwift is that I often increased my ftp in races, sometimes quite substantially so I guess there is a bit of psychology at work there. I reckon I will finish week 2 and then ramp the ftp up slightly. I guess you are right, structure is better. I will stick to it, am actually quite enjoying it.
Lizzard30 Posted June 10, 2019 Posted June 10, 2019 Yeah, I did the ftp test before I started the plan. However what I have seen previously on Zwift is that I often increased my ftp in races, sometimes quite substantially so I guess there is a bit of psychology at work there. I reckon I will finish week 2 and then ramp the ftp up slightly. I guess you are right, structure is better. I will stick to it, am actually quite enjoying it.If you increase your FTP in races you havent given your all in the actual FTP test..????
madbradd Posted June 10, 2019 Posted June 10, 2019 I did the FTP builder ages ago.... Also found it too easy. Try the Absa Cape epic one.... Significantly more challenging!
Knersboy Posted June 11, 2019 Author Posted June 11, 2019 If you increase your FTP in races you havent given your all in the actual FTP test..You joke but it is true, when I have a rabbit to chase it is a different story
Knersboy Posted June 11, 2019 Author Posted June 11, 2019 I did the FTP builder ages ago.... Also found it too easy. Try the Absa Cape epic one.... Significantly more challenging!Thanks
Gnarly Posted June 11, 2019 Posted June 11, 2019 Done FTP Builder, enjoyed it. Not sure if it benefited me, but gave me motivation to train as you have to do certain workouts by certain days. (As all the training plans) Did Crit Crusher, Got bored and legs also seemed buggered all the time. Intervals were to long and boring. Busy with TT Tune up, which I taught would be boring, but really enjoying it, nice mix of different workout. Best part of the training plans is the motivation.
s14phoenix Posted June 11, 2019 Posted June 11, 2019 followed one of the harder plans (TT tune up) but seem to have dropped in FTP. I find the workouts try to focus on too many things in 1 workout. And the FTP builder is far too easy to build any FTP or fitness as there is very few session requiring you to train at even close to FTP.
Squier Posted June 11, 2019 Posted June 11, 2019 The Gran Fondo is not a high intensity plan and even though it does get progressively more intense the focus is not on doing explosive intervals but rather long sustained efforts. It's aerobic exercise preparing you for a long marathon effort, not anaerobic efforts, like intervals and sprints. Think of a steady 100km ride VS an XCO race. That is how the plan was designed. In contrast, the Cape Epic plan is designed to prepare you for short sharp efforts mixed into a long challenging day. It pushed me to my max quickly to the point where I couldn't finish some of the workouts. I still need to muster the courage to go and finish the plan... I started doing the Hunter's Challenge plan last week. Looks like a cool one as well.
lechatnoir Posted June 11, 2019 Posted June 11, 2019 I'm in week 5 of the Gran Fondo, and I can see what it's trying to achieve, but it feels easy. Mostly. I'm doing the ramp test this evening, so we'll see what results I get re FTP. The longer sessions where I need to sit at threshold for longer periods are challenging for me - perhaps this is my learning curve? I find that my headspace is the key contributor to whether I have a successful workout or not.
Knersboy Posted June 11, 2019 Author Posted June 11, 2019 Thanks for the feedback guys. Are you supplementing these plans with outdoor rides? Obviously I cannot at the moment, but I do throw in some Zwift group training ride, as the fact that workouts are locked irritates me a bit.
Gnarly Posted June 11, 2019 Posted June 11, 2019 Thanks for the feedback guys. Are you supplementing these plans with outdoor rides? Obviously I cannot at the moment, but I do throw in some Zwift group training ride, as the fact that workouts are locked irritates me a bit. I haven't ridden out doors in about 3 months (Started a new job) , with another 3 to go as the heat here in Dubai is getting a little warm. Can't say weather it has benefited or not, but can say it's given me motivation to get on the trainer so that is a win for me.
AllAboutRides Posted June 21, 2019 Posted June 21, 2019 Ok so a few people here are doing training plans on Zwift, GREAT! But do you feel improvement in fitness and strength when riding outside after completing a training plan?
HdB Posted June 21, 2019 Posted June 21, 2019 Ok so a few people here are doing training plans on Zwift, GREAT! But do you feel improvement in fitness and strength when riding outside after completing a training plan?I really hope so, if I can survive the remaining 9.5 weeks of Build Me Up... Tonight's workout did not go well. Usually the cadence changes don't bother me much, but the legs didn't want to spin tonight
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