Base Training - First Time With Power Meter Help

Hi Brian,

Have a look at this article -- it includes some stuff that I wrote to an athlete asking similar questions.  http://xtri.com/coaches_display.aspx?riIDReport=4966&CAT=41&xref=xx

The #1 thing to remember -- at first... train "normally" and simply watch the powermeter to gain a better understanding of what you are already doing.  

#2 -- resist the urge to do a lot of max effort TTs.  

Finally, don't sweat what others post on the internet -- people only publish their best data!  

Hope this helps,

g

Pretty much what he said ^^^^^

For now, you just want to get some understanding of what you are already doing.  Then you can begin to craft a more deliberate plan for yourself. 

In the meantime, try to educate yourself about what the data is showing.  Training and Racing with a Power Meter by Coggan & Hunter is a good starting resource. 

The WKO+ software from TrainingPeaks is also useful (not free though).

Remember, a power meter is a great tool and will help you get the most out of your training time.  But the key to getting faster is still taking care of the basics:  ride lots.

Brian,

To add to the soruces sited by JK, another source I would recommend is The Triathlete's training gut to training with power by Philip Skiba. I am heading to a seminar with him this weekend hence I'll post more infor about the book on Monday.

Still reading it but same as his other book (Scientific training for triathletes) it has lots of good infomation.

A power meter is a tool to compliment your trainig not to dictate it. If use properly it can provide you with great information to enhance it and help you improve in a shorter period of time because it takes the guess work out making the learning curve about your fitness a lot shorter.

I have a wired PT on my road bike and yes I have the magnet for the cadence attached.

Brian,

 Happy to help.  If you are interested in, even, more ideas than you can listen to a podcast that I did.  Over an hour on Power Training -- in my sig file -- check out 21 Sept 2007... Boulder Power Clinic, or access 'Endurance Corner Radio" via iTunes.

 g