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Post by Terry Wilson on Dec 18, 2017 23:01:14 GMT
So, I was on me turbo doing an interval session and right into the second interval it was patently obvious the numbers were definitely down on what they should be (15-25W) and so it becomes a bit of a dilemma as to what to do.
Does one;
a) Carry on regardless, shout 'Freeeeedom' at the top of one's lungs and die halfway through in a vain attempt to hang on to some form of presumed prowess?
b) Shout "$%$ it" and get off, decide it's a total waste of time and finish off the bottle of dodgy Amaretto that's been sitting in the cupboard for the last 8 years.
c) Reduce expectations and hang on in there to the better end, with the ghost of Leonard Nimoy observing "It's Pain Jim, but not as we know it..."
Although seriously, what do you do in the middle of an interval session in which you are quite clearly not tip top spit spot? Is it useful to carry on?
Terry
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Post by Sara Barman on Dec 19, 2017 7:55:02 GMT
d) Must be something wrong with this turbo / software / power meter...
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Post by Sara Barman on Dec 19, 2017 7:55:46 GMT
More seriously - prob depends if you're ill or overtrained?
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Post by simonenglish on Dec 19, 2017 8:27:43 GMT
Same thing happened to me at the weekend. Numbers far less than they should have been. Went through all of a) b) and c) before settling on c) and knuckling down. I think this is what they call maintaining baseline fitness over the off season.
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Post by Martin Headon on Dec 19, 2017 10:14:44 GMT
(c).
I'd just reduce intensity to 95% (either via the app you're using or just by pedalling softer) and complete the session. Then take a step back and assess the problem - are you overtraining? Is this on the back of too many hard sessions? Is your FTP set to high? Could you be getting ill? Did you take on enough fuel for that intensity / length of workout?
Maybe rest or ride easy for a day or two then re-test your FTP.
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Post by Tim Fitzpatrick on Dec 19, 2017 11:31:30 GMT
Well, this is my observation and may not be backed up by sports science but.. before power meters I'd train either on HR or perceived exertion, so in cases of tiredness/off days, I'd probably be generating less power for similar HR/PE. Now we have power, we're targeting an absolute level despite off days; so I think what you're seeing (and me too!) makes sense on occasion.
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Post by David Joss Buckley on Dec 19, 2017 16:27:02 GMT
Or maybe it's just nature's way of telling you that it's winter and the social season. Chill out and have a mince pie...  |
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Post by Kathryn Elizabeth Innes on Dec 19, 2017 17:46:34 GMT
I would check when your FTP was set... if it was during race season then that is your answer as you're really probably not (and shouldnt be) at your peak now (unless you are a CX rider...). So either re-test it now (only 20 mins of pain...) or reduce by a proportion else you'll be slogging yourself unfairly and not even training in the intended zone.
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Post by Terry Wilson on Dec 20, 2017 19:09:45 GMT
Yeah so I pretty much did what Simon suggested which was just to go on ‘pain level’. Obviously it was just an ‘off-day’ or not recovered from previous ride, but when you instantly know you’re on an off one, does the session have usefulness by continuing?
Also compounded by Psychologically I have had a spate of various interval and turbo sessions, always being able to go ‘slightly better’ than last time. (And an FTP rest which knocked the old number out the park). Have to mentally adjust to the fact the numbers aren’t always going to go my way...
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Post by Terry Wilson on Dec 20, 2017 19:10:31 GMT
I would check when your FTP was set... if it was during race season then that is your answer as you're really probably not (and shouldnt be) at your peak now (unless you are a CX rider...). So either re-test it now (only 20 mins of pain...) or reduce by a proportion else you'll be slogging yourself unfairly and not even training in the intended zone. FTP was last week! |
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Post by Andy Davidson on Dec 20, 2017 21:56:33 GMT
Talking of death by intervals and numbers I made myself seriously unwell a couple of years ago by smashing myself up on the turbo week after week combined with a ton of stress from work and lack of sleep from a newborn. I was basically completely knackered but there’s so much macho ‘suffering’ chat in cycling i didn’t realise that sometimes you’ve really just got to stop and rest and be nice to yourself. I was signed off work for 3 months with burnout and couldn’t ride for 6... Take it easy out there and +1 for the mince pies |
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