@Stark / Wick / whomever -- looking through the workouts, it appears that the TR warmup is not the one prescribed by the plans. Is that intentional?
I was curious about this as well - especially for the FTP test...
Great question! We discussed this and many folks have their own way warming up and cooling down (i.e. it appears many, if not most folks, don't follow the EN WU guidance) so we left those out of the workouts. We just focused on the MS.
With that said . . . .
This is all new to all of us and if we see enough folks requesting the WU and CD's in the workouts we will add them when we work on the next batch of workouts in spring.
John, I am new to EN and new to TR. Will start my first EN OS tomorrow and just downloaded and installed TR. I do not have a power meter of any kind (yet) so am planning on using the virtual power function in TR (I am using a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine trainer which is listed as one of the solid trainers for getting the virtual power number to work out right).
I just finished the 6 week bike focused training plane and am usng a Garmin 305 and 910 to target my training zones based on speed...i.e. I know based on plenty of trial and effort using this set up that at 19.5 MPH my heart rate is in zone 4.
Should I complete the bike test power protocol or the bike test heart rate protocol?
Thanks much, Doug
Hey Doug:
Welcome to EN! Awesome to have you onboard.
My gut reaction is this: Use the power component of TR to truly track your progress in the OS AND monitor your HR at the different efforts through the OS so you have that data as well. That way when you ride outside you know 85% effort is at, say, 130 BPM and 100% (FT) effort is at 155 BPM. It isn't perfect (cuz HR training isn't perfect) but it will get you in the ball park.
I have a Road Machine and configured it incorrectly yesterday within TR -- it was posting the virtual power from the KKRM and not my Quarq. I found the power on TR (using virtual power) was generally 10-15W to the high side versus the Quarq. So as long as you are consistent with using the virtual power it still has benefit - just know the "real" power might be a tad lower.
That said, most people find their outdoor power 10-15 W higher than indoor power. So in the end the virtual power might be accurate?!?
@ Doug - the general rule of thmb for the OS is: Test using the conditions you intend to encounter during the OS. Meaning, if you are going to be doing most of your OS workouts on the trainer, then use the TR/KK set-up with power as the metric.
Thanks! I was thinking long term and the question was regarding OS. Need. More. Coffee. Should still track the HR, though for spring outside onslaught.
I love TrainerRoad. I have had a CT since 2009 and my heart rate and cadence sensors, despite replacements, have not worked in years. With TR, I can use the Garmin HR and Speed/Cadence sensors to ANT and bam, I got HR and cadence metrics again.
I completely concur with Al. I have a CT and a Quarq. I tried out TR for a trial period and have quickly gravitated to it. When I promote it to my local folks, I tell them that for me, it changes my self-inflicted trainer workout into something resembling those bikes at the gym. It's the difference between spinning and using the cheezy old-school bikes that have the digital resistance changes preloaded and shown on the display. I know the CT basically does this same thing, and I don't really have a great explanation as to why I like the TR model better. I just do.
I believe either the TR tutorial or the TR/CT integration tutorial (both on Youtube) show you how to drop in any movie (which is my M.O.) or even a SufferFest video. I have two monitors so I don't use that, but I wanted to point out that TR doesn't affect your ability to watch the last episode of The Bachelor, in fact it integrates quite well IMHO. I like the upload integration to their website or Facebook, etc. for my Journal tracking.
I also find the TR development guys pretty smart and committed to improving their product. The EN relationship is a perfect example- how many comapnies do you know that would do that, and that fast? And this is, of course, all in stark contrast to CT which we are all are completely baffled of how these guys haven't been run out of business yet, but hey, that's the story of the CT: They rely on a incredibly solid piece of hardware, poorly committed to improving the software every couple of decades, and although the owner, Roger Moore, seems to be solid and very responsive guy, it's clear he's simply either tone-deaf to the drumbeat of his consumer base, unwilling to bring in the capital to improve the company's product to it's full potential, incompetent, or willing to ride out (pun) it's success until someone can come in an relegate them to second best computer-based trainer. So far, that's been a good bet, which completely baffles me.
Like Al said, if you try TR for 30 days and don't get it, then just drop the service, no cost. But I think you will be impressed. I stopped using the CT software RC1 as soon as I reviewed Al's original comments in the fall, and haven't gone back since.
FWIW: I also added the Garmin USB stick and can now use my existing cadence and HRM pulse data, shedding a couple of the CT wires, which is great! Again, how CT hasn't already done this is bizarre. And their new cadence puck is not cheap and frankly mickey mouse. I look forward to adding the cANT+ application soon. TR is a company that is working hard to put out a great product, which I cannot say about the CT. If you enjoy working with the CT RC1 software, and designing EN workouts into it, then you're frankly smarter than I am with a lot more free time. Which is not hard, but whatever.
A little late to the party but better late than never!
Thanks, John, for getting this set up with the TR guys! I started using it last year in the out season and I absolutely love it! I didn't get a Quarq until the summer so was using the virtual power when I started. That feature alone was worth 10 bucks a month!
Looking forward to doing my first OS workout with TR next week (the FTP Test)! I think I'm all set up but I have one question. I assume that I should still use my Garmin/LYC/Joule/whatever to actually record the workouts for upload into WKO/TrainingPeaks even if I don't actually use it to see the data as I ride, correct?
Looking forward to doing my first OS workout with TR next week (the FTP Test)! I think I'm all set up but I have one question. I assume that I should still use my Garmin/LYC/Joule/whatever to actually record the workouts for upload into WKO/TrainingPeaks even if I don't actually use it to see the data as I ride, correct?
That's what I do. Although you can download it as a .tcx file. There's a link to do that when you open the file from your "Career" in the TR web site.
Thanks Al - I am definitely using the same basic set up for all of my OS workouts (and probably beyond), my question was more aimed at should I use the HR test protocol or the power test protocol to determine my base set up for numbers. Since the TR system is using "virtual power" based on the speed information received from the KK trainer I wasn't sure. I ultimately went with the power based test protocol and have been fairly happy with my numbers.
///
Another question for the general group.
I have been wanting to get a power meter for some time, but have been delaying due to the standard trainer wheel versus racing wheel concern since I can only afford one power meter. Since I have started using TR, I think my problem is solved. I can continue to use the TR software on all my indoor training rides and buy the power (cycleops most likely) meter for my racing wheel. I can put the racing wheel on my indoor trainer every once in a while to determine the conversion factor between the numbers I see on the TR and the numbers I get for the cycleops and then be set for race day. Does this make sense to some of the power pros out there?
@Doug - my training wheel is also my racing wheel. Depending on your bike, you can put an Aerojacket on your wheel and, voila!, a disc wheel. My setup is an 808 with a PowerTap PRO+. I ride it day in and day out. I have used in my trainer with regular tires as well as a trainer tire.
I would like to be added to the road trainer list. So I can perform EN work outs. I have clicked on the link to be added to the list on page 1 witch was done on 6/15/13
resurrecting this thread from last winter - trainer road is having a once in a lifetime get in on trainer road for a year for $89 as opposed to paying the $10 monthly. a couple of questions: -does anyone know if there are going to be plans to put the OS plans into trainer road as was done last year? -i will be using a computrainer. is there a good resource to look at for connection/software, etc. I assume that TR takes the place of the racermate software and drives the computrainer instead of me programming the erg file in a text document...
TR works very intuitively with the CT unlike the Racermate software which sucks and is pretty much useless IMO.... I love the TR/CT combo... Not sure about the OS workouts this year but you can easily build your own which is what I do.
Thanks Tim, that is helpful. I am definitely leaning towards this approach, sort of tired of the old computrainer software, even though it is pretty bomb proof, but the graphics and screen are just old.
Comments
I was curious about this as well - especially for the FTP test...
Great question! We discussed this and many folks have their own way warming up and cooling down (i.e. it appears many, if not most folks, don't follow the EN WU guidance) so we left those out of the workouts. We just focused on the MS.
With that said . . . .
This is all new to all of us and if we see enough folks requesting the WU and CD's in the workouts we will add them when we work on the next batch of workouts in spring.
Kewl?
John
Thanks John!
Hey Doug:
Welcome to EN! Awesome to have you onboard.
My gut reaction is this: Use the power component of TR to truly track your progress in the OS AND monitor your HR at the different efforts through the OS so you have that data as well. That way when you ride outside you know 85% effort is at, say, 130 BPM and 100% (FT) effort is at 155 BPM. It isn't perfect (cuz HR training isn't perfect) but it will get you in the ball park.
With that said . . . .
What say the WSM's and others in da haus?
John
Stark & Doug,
I have a Road Machine and configured it incorrectly yesterday within TR -- it was posting the virtual power from the KKRM and not my Quarq. I found the power on TR (using virtual power) was generally 10-15W to the high side versus the Quarq. So as long as you are consistent with using the virtual power it still has benefit - just know the "real" power might be a tad lower.
That said, most people find their outdoor power 10-15 W higher than indoor power. So in the end the virtual power might be accurate?!?
@ Doug - the general rule of thmb for the OS is: Test using the conditions you intend to encounter during the OS. Meaning, if you are going to be doing most of your OS workouts on the trainer, then use the TR/KK set-up with power as the metric.
Jeff and Al:
Thanks! I was thinking long term and the question was regarding OS. Need. More. Coffee.
Should still track the HR, though for spring outside onslaught.
Peace out.
Stark
@ everybody...
I completely concur with Al. I have a CT and a Quarq. I tried out TR for a trial period and have quickly gravitated to it. When I promote it to my local folks, I tell them that for me, it changes my self-inflicted trainer workout into something resembling those bikes at the gym. It's the difference between spinning and using the cheezy old-school bikes that have the digital resistance changes preloaded and shown on the display. I know the CT basically does this same thing, and I don't really have a great explanation as to why I like the TR model better. I just do.
I believe either the TR tutorial or the TR/CT integration tutorial (both on Youtube) show you how to drop in any movie (which is my M.O.) or even a SufferFest video. I have two monitors so I don't use that, but I wanted to point out that TR doesn't affect your ability to watch the last episode of The Bachelor, in fact it integrates quite well IMHO. I like the upload integration to their website or Facebook, etc. for my Journal tracking.
I also find the TR development guys pretty smart and committed to improving their product. The EN relationship is a perfect example- how many comapnies do you know that would do that, and that fast? And this is, of course, all in stark contrast to CT which we are all are completely baffled of how these guys haven't been run out of business yet, but hey, that's the story of the CT: They rely on a incredibly solid piece of hardware, poorly committed to improving the software every couple of decades, and although the owner, Roger Moore, seems to be solid and very responsive guy, it's clear he's simply either tone-deaf to the drumbeat of his consumer base, unwilling to bring in the capital to improve the company's product to it's full potential, incompetent, or willing to ride out (pun) it's success until someone can come in an relegate them to second best computer-based trainer. So far, that's been a good bet, which completely baffles me.
Like Al said, if you try TR for 30 days and don't get it, then just drop the service, no cost. But I think you will be impressed. I stopped using the CT software RC1 as soon as I reviewed Al's original comments in the fall, and haven't gone back since.
FWIW: I also added the Garmin USB stick and can now use my existing cadence and HRM pulse data, shedding a couple of the CT wires, which is great! Again, how CT hasn't already done this is bizarre. And their new cadence puck is not cheap and frankly mickey mouse. I look forward to adding the cANT+ application soon. TR is a company that is working hard to put out a great product, which I cannot say about the CT. If you enjoy working with the CT RC1 software, and designing EN workouts into it, then you're frankly smarter than I am with a lot more free time. Which is not hard, but whatever.
Thumbs up.
We have officially passed 100 folks in the EN/Trainer Road Program! SUH-WEET!
Now get busy!
A little late to the party but better late than never!
Thanks, John, for getting this set up with the TR guys! I started using it last year in the out season and I absolutely love it! I didn't get a Quarq until the summer so was using the virtual power when I started. That feature alone was worth 10 bucks a month!
Hi Betsy:
Have you downloaded the appropriate software here? http://www.trainerroad.com/groups/endurance-nation-2
JOhn
Just accepted you. Enjoy!
Happy to be your athletic supporter. :-)
@Lynne - I got mine at Amazon for about $30.
That's what I do. Although you can download it as a .tcx file. There's a link to do that when you open the file from your "Career" in the TR web site.
Thanks Al - I am definitely using the same basic set up for all of my OS workouts (and probably beyond), my question was more aimed at should I use the HR test protocol or the power test protocol to determine my base set up for numbers. Since the TR system is using "virtual power" based on the speed information received from the KK trainer I wasn't sure. I ultimately went with the power based test protocol and have been fairly happy with my numbers.
///
Another question for the general group.
I have been wanting to get a power meter for some time, but have been delaying due to the standard trainer wheel versus racing wheel concern since I can only afford one power meter. Since I have started using TR, I think my problem is solved. I can continue to use the TR software on all my indoor training rides and buy the power (cycleops most likely) meter for my racing wheel. I can put the racing wheel on my indoor trainer every once in a while to determine the conversion factor between the numbers I see on the TR and the numbers I get for the cycleops and then be set for race day. Does this make sense to some of the power pros out there?
Thanks Joe - appreciate the information.
trainer road is having a once in a lifetime get in on trainer road for a year for $89 as opposed to paying the $10 monthly. a couple of questions:
-does anyone know if there are going to be plans to put the OS plans into trainer road as was done last year?
-i will be using a computrainer. is there a good resource to look at for connection/software, etc. I assume that TR takes the place of the racermate software and drives the computrainer instead of me programming the erg file in a text document...
thoughts? thanks -david