Benchmarking is a lot easier to do when you train with power. I can pretty easily see how I'm progressing week to week and month to month. And since I've been doing it for a long time, I can also compare my fitness this year to the same time last year. To wit:
Here's a ride I did a few days ago - a short workout with a couple of 10-minute LT efforts:
My trainer rides are normally short and intense, but this was short even by my standards. My intent was to do 3x10 but I just couldn't pull it out. It was part physical discomfort (still struggling with back pain after car vs bike this summer), but most of it was mental fortitude. Body weakness nothwithstanding, I just don't have enough intervals in my system right now to have any sort of conditioning to suffer. The going gets tough and my synapses shut down. With me, training my psyche is at least half of the effort.
The efforts here were at 275 watts each, and the NP of the entire 40-minute ride was 239 watts.
By contrast, here's me from 1-9-10:
3 10-minute efforts instead of 2; coming in at 300, 312 and 316 watts instead of 275; and totaling a 50-minute workout at a NP of 278. This entire ride was at a greater intensity than my best 10 minutes this year. No small part of it is physiological, of course. I started doing structured interval work in early November last year. But you see also some evidence of an increased ability to suffer last year. Pink at the bottom of both files is Heart Rate. This year, when I start nosing 170 the wheels come off - cadence drops and my speed gets all choppy. Last year I was able to do most of the third interval averaging 172, getting up to 180 with speed to spare. The toughness, it alludes me this year.
It's 2 months before the season starts, and 4 months before any of the races where I normally like to perform well, so this benchmarking exercise may mean absolutely nothing. And it may also delay my first peak, which could prove to be a blessing. Don't know yet. What I do know is that I don't like being slower than last year, and I'm hella motivated to improve. Last year I got through the spring on momentum. It will be interesting to see how that compares to this year's speed-by-hunger.
Perhaps you should chat with Skippy the wonder dog?
Posted by: Skippy | January 13, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Who is that? Is that the code name for one of Eufemiano Fuentes' mules?
Posted by: Mike May | January 14, 2011 at 08:58 AM
Do not cash to buy a building? Worry not, because it's real to get the business loans to work out such problems. So take a collateral loan to buy everything you need.
Posted by: HICKMANDiana24 | November 15, 2011 at 06:28 PM
See this article, we learned some things.
Thanks for your sharing, and good luck.
By yzi10
Posted by: vibram five fingers outlet | March 28, 2012 at 11:57 PM
When I visit your site, I have got a lot of information about YOY Power. Thanks.
Posted by: Car Hire Sunshine Coast | July 16, 2012 at 03:32 AM
wow great i have read many articles about this topic and everytime i learn something new i dont think it will ever stop always new info , Thanks for all of your hard work!
Posted by: free online dating | August 17, 2012 at 01:25 AM
Hello joysattmv, just like a pad to produce a baby fireworks, vivid come with outstanding. -Bolsos Tous organically new disasters moved in front of every one of us on attempt to actually really feel so helpless provided that there improperly is absolutely nothing to as regards to virtually you'll be working as willing approximately collect a rudimentary try during accomplish to steer crystal clear involving everybody from hitting Bolsos Tous.
Good muakbbls!!
Posted by: Bolsos Tous | September 05, 2012 at 07:48 PM
Hello joylkjinj, I'll a peek at a part data processing on demand, usually renowned a baby ad banners and the reality is you could stand for offly convincing. -Jordan Espa?a I time period try it! Jordan Espa?a.
Good wgkwryjy!!
Posted by: Jordan Espa?a | September 09, 2012 at 06:57 AM