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The disadvantages of having a power meter


Guest Michelle

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Guest Michelle

My training hasn't exactly been going as it should for the last couple of months so I thought a power test would be a good idea so that I can see what zones I'm supposed to be riding in. 

It turns out my threshold power has dropped by 25 watts since December!!!!! CryCryCry 

 

Also, my average heart rate over the 20 minutes was 180 compared to only 161 in December.  I managed to hit a whopping 188 towards the end Shocked  I rarely go over 180 on the road even (191 was my highest ever in this years Argus).

 

How depressing Cry 

 

One things for sure... power meters don't lie! Ouch
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Aw Michelle, time to cover up those computers and ride for the fun of it for a while. Scotty was saying the other day that he put his HRM away and has been having much more enjoyable rides, time to try it?

 

On a different note, great to hear you're back on the bike. Go girl!
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How about my Winter Warmer

 

L4 20:00, recovery 8:00

L5 4:00, recovery 4:00

L6 1:00 recovery 4:00

L6 1:00 recovery 4:00

L5 4:00 recovery 8:00

L4 20 min

 
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Guest Michelle

Thanks MichH Hug... but I think I've been having too much fun for too long (especially with my buddies Lindt & Cadbury's). LOL Time to kick it up into a high gear for a bit.

 

bruce: What would you recommend? Please don't say 20 minute L4 intervals Pinch

 

Jason: Ditto.. I'm hurting already Tongue
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bruce, quick question... If it feels like I'm pushing 700W for 20 minutes *evil Laugh* and my heart only hits 170... is this something to worry about? Cause I'm expecting to see close to 180+ beats... let me know... Jason2007-05-31 07:08:43
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you'll have to go and do some laps around kyalami....

 

hmm last time I was there was feb I think Dead
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bruce' date=' quick question... If it feels like I'm pushing 700W for 20 minutes *evil Laugh* and my heart only hits 170... is this something to worry about? Cause I'm expecting to see close to 180+ beats... let me know... [/quote']

 

Yes, you should definitely be worried!  It should be feeling like 1100 watts, if you are only doing 700watts, come now Jason - I expected more from you than that!
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bruce: What would you recommend? Please don't say 20 minute L4 intervals Pinch

 

 

See posting immediately above yours!  Plenty L4, with a little L5 sprinkled in!
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Use it or lose it !! I did not do any threshold work from Jan till June, as I was training for the track pursuit. FTP went from 370 down to 320 today. I sacrificed FTP for 5min peak power. obree2007-05-31 08:16:50

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My training hasn't exactly been going as it should for the last couple of months so I thought a power test would be a good idea so that I can see what zones I'm supposed to be riding in. 

It turns out my threshold power has dropped by 25 watts since December!!!!! CryCryCry 

 

Also' date=' my average heart rate over the 20 minutes was 180 compared to only 161 in December.  I managed to hit a whopping 188 towards the end Shocked  I rarely go over 180 on the road even (191 was my highest ever in this years Argus).

 

How depressing Cry 

 

One things for sure... power meters don't lie! Ouch
[/quote']

 

All a power meter does is give you accurate output figures - if the power is down then you need to look at the training you have been doing and review it.

 

Better to know than not to know IMO.

 

Good luck.

 

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Guest Michelle

I don't know BikeMax... sometimes ignorance is bliss LOL 

Michelle2007-05-31 10:01:20
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Bruce - Please give some more detail on the meaning of L4' date=' L5, L6 - thanks[/quote']

 

L4 = steady state threshold power i.e. power sutainable for 60 minutes

L5 = power at VO2Max and is your upper aerobic limit, sustainable for around 4 to 8 minutes

L6 = anaerobic power - sustainable for around 1 minute.
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Bruce - Please give some more detail on the meaning of L4' date=' L5, L6 - thanks[/quote']

 

L4 = steady state threshold power i.e. power sutainable for 60 minutes

L5 = power at VO2Max and is your upper aerobic limit, sustainable for around 4 to 8 minutes

L6 = anaerobic power - sustainable for around 1 minute.

 

 

This is theory of course....not so sure how this would work for me in practice Wink

 

 

 

 
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