Trainer Road Spring Challenge 2013 (Page 2)

A year ago or so I was running around a 203 FTP.

I just did a test this morning, and while I didn't get sick I did feel like I should have after.  I'm at a disapointing 175.

I think it is good I reset the FTP because I've been failing to complete the sufferefests I've tried lately and I think it is because I was just pushing too hard on the first half since my power is lower than I was targeting.

Trainer road id rdlisle: http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/291880

FTP test: http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/291880

After this 20 min test I realized it measured my LTHR, and put it at 136. The first one I did (an 8 minute test), measured me at 115 FTP. But I don't think that was accurate. 

 It looks like your speed sensor dropped out quite a bit durring the ride and thus power wasn't coming through.

There are also places where your HR wasn't connecting.  This makes me think that either your computer is a little too far away from the bike and you are losing connection at times, or that your speed sensor on the bike isn't setup quite right.

I'm no expert on FTP but if you were working as hard as you can on the 20 minute test I would say that 136 looks high.  You were below 120 for the first half of the test and even in the second half you only broke 136 for brief periods.

If you post the 8 minute test or give us your user name on Trainer road we can look at the 8 minute as well.

I didn't post the 8 minute because I accidently closed the window before I'd completed the test. Here is what I have for it though. I don't believe I had any break in connection during that ride. I am going to do, another FTP test today. 

131 TSS on Saturday doing my planned workout which I just used a Free Ride and not a TR workout.

Main Set 1 was 2x20' @95-100%FTP (5')

Main Set 2 was 8' ON Time at 120%FTP which I did as 1'ON;1'OFF

1:45:00 total....that hurt something special!

Just took FTP test (using Spinervals 27.0 Threshold test video - 1 hr workout, with 20' test near the end).

Old FTP - 216W, New FTP: 228W

Plan on doing 2 trainerroad workouts per week.  If I can get to 240W by 7/13 I will be happy!

Trainerroad name: m2tx

Also - I measure power via a Quarq.

Did Galveston 70.3 at AP=181W and NP=190W which is close to my 180-185W target (turns out that's about 80-83% as I don't think my FTP would be that different 1 week after the race.

One thing worth mentioning is that measuring W/kg is probably a better basis for measuring improvment than just purely FTP.  Maybe we can add W/kg to the challenge.

Yeah that's a good idea, we can add W/kg as a fourth category.

My biking has actually gone down the past few weeks, after a short recovery after Galveston I was all ready to get back into the mix but then after the Boston bombing I decided to change my goals up a bit and try to BQ by September.  I'll still get a few trainer rides in a week but I probably won't be in the mix for any awards!

For enjoying cycling so much, this past week has been off for me, and one of my favorite riding trails is currently under 6' of flood water, so I'm going to try to re-commit to the bike trainer this week.  

I hit Treasure this evening, and a 3.5 mile run this morning, so a good day.

I'm also looking forward to Trainer Road's "8 Days in California" challenge.  Fun times.

I know it's a little late, but do you mind if I join now? 

I did a 20 minute test on Tuesday....I have problems being mentally tough enough to stick out the full 20 minutes, so I figure this challenge will at least force me to do another one instead of being lazy and manually bumping up the FTP!

Starting FTP is 190.  Also did Bear Creek this morning and will be joining in on the "fun" of the 8 Days in California TR Tour.

Go for it.  Plenty of room for more challengers!

How's it going for everyone?  Got in a few rides on the trainer this week (wasn't planning today's ride, but with 60% chance of thunderstorms, I went the conservative route and stayed on the trainer....of course, it was sunny and nice, but whatever!).

Tuesday - 60 minutes, 20 minute power test, TSS 81

Thursday - 60 minutes, Bear Creek, TSS 83

Saturday - 60 minutes, Eichorn, TSS 71

Sunday - 3:09:45, Blender @ 95% and Local Hero @ 90%, TSS 228

I rode "The Hunted" this morning....managed to get a new 20 minute best -- better than my most recent 20 Minute Power Test!  I'm pretty sure my FTP has not actually increased in the past week, but rather, having some distraction from the pain/boredom of 20 minutes at a steady, high (for me) power helped me push it some more.

If nothing else, I think it will be a confidence booster for when we retest at the end of this challenge.  Definitely enjoying this challenge....but I'm hoping to make it outside rather than repeat my three hour trainer experience from last weekend

Well we are about one month into the challenge as of this weekend.  Anyone taking an 8 or 20 minute test to see if they've improved in the past 4 weeks?

8 Days in California started, day 1 complete.  Not that it's saying much, but I haven't had this much fun on the trainer, well, ever.  

1. Day 1:  http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/317286
2. Day 2:  
3. Day 3:  
4. Day 4:  
5. Day 5:  
6. Day 6:  
7. Day 7:  
8. Day 8:  

Nice!  I completely forgot about this.  I'll have to start tomorrow.  Not sure how many days  can do with my run training, but i'll give it a go for a few stages.

I finished Stage 3 this morning.  Stage 2 was rough....fell apart a bit through the last climb.  But rallied for Stage 3....whew!

The TR guys did a really great job making these rides, developing the story lines, and putting together the challenge.  I'm really looking forward to what the next five stages bring.  It's kind of fun (nerve wracking??) having no idea what the ride profile is going to look like until moments before riding it.