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2014-04-01 9:18 AM

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Subject: No Power

So I have been swimming and running very consistently over the offseason. My cycling was a bit secondary because it is my strength, and I despise the trainer.  As it has finally begun to get warmer I have ramped up the cycling, but I feel like I have no power.  My threshold power seems close to what it was last year, but riding with a group I just can't stay with the surges if I have to go above about 550 watts more than a few times.

Last season it was the opposite. I could sprint and push hard, but my endurance was limited early in the year. The other weird thing is that last year my limiter was always my lungs. This year I just can't seem to put out the power with my legs, but my lungs are fine. What in the heck is going on? I cannot decide if I just have poor bike fitness and need T.I.T.S. or if I need to do a bit of work on 1 minute power.

 

ETA: BT deleted my abbreviation for time in the saddle.....



Edited by dmiller5 2014-04-01 9:40 AM


2014-04-01 9:38 AM
in reply to: dmiller5

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Subject: RE: No Power

Timely and interesting question!

Really curious to hear the experienced folks' thoughts on this one, as I'm in a similar spot (and starting to now wig out about the bike… ahem… to focus on the bike now, that is).

My cycling only friends have always said that running ruins their riding.  To the point that a few Cx focused friends won't even run an early season spring race (HM), as they claim that having done that in the past has carried over negatively to their fall season (I think they were looking for excuses  - both for their fall riding and to needle triathletes/runners!).  

I wonder, though, is there a negative effect to a run focus other than just the fitness lost during the necessary time traded from the bike to the run?  

I suppose I'll have a better idea in a few months, good or bad, but it would be great to hear what people say to the above and Dave's excellent question...

Matt 

2014-04-01 10:05 AM
in reply to: dmiller5

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Subject: RE: No Power

Originally posted by dmiller5

So I have been swimming and running very consistently over the offseason. My cycling was a bit secondary because it is my strength, and I despise the trainer.  As it has finally begun to get warmer I have ramped up the cycling, but I feel like I have no power.  My threshold power seems close to what it was last year, but riding with a group I just can't stay with the surges if I have to go above about 550 watts more than a few times.

Last season it was the opposite. I could sprint and push hard, but my endurance was limited early in the year. The other weird thing is that last year my limiter was always my lungs. This year I just can't seem to put out the power with my legs, but my lungs are fine. What in the heck is going on? I cannot decide if I just have poor bike fitness and need T.I.T.S. or if I need to do a bit of work on 1 minute power.

 

ETA: BT deleted my abbreviation for time in the saddle.....

Get on some hill repeats for a couple of weeks......you'll be fine.

2014-04-01 10:09 AM
in reply to: dmiller5

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: No Power
Jump in some early season CRITS and you're surging issues will be past you before you know. Aside, from that, work on 10-20" surges our of turns on solo rides while falling back into steady hard efforts. A lot of the willingness to hold a wheel is mental and knowing when the jump will end.

The answer to your question though is AND not OR. If you haven't been riding every level of power drops especially at the top end. The amount of work above threshold is determined by the types of rides (and your races) that you do.

I do 100-200 meter sprints and 5" sprints out of corners year round, but my priority is CX.
2014-04-01 1:04 PM
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Subject: RE: No Power

The top end stuff is usually the first to go.  It also tends to come back fairly quickly.



Edited by Jason N 2014-04-01 1:05 PM
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