Oh no, I've been training with 2 different power numbers
Title says it all. I just realized today that I have a dilemma. Couldn't happen at a better time as I just started my taper for IMLP in 12 days 
So I was riding my Wahoo Kickr and decided to use my Garmin 500 concurrently (as I just updated the firmware yesterday). Lo and behold, the power numbers aren't correlating. So I calibrate the Kickr and same issue occurs. This is when I read the fine print under the calibration and noted that it should be calibrated every 2 weeks. Ouch!!! I haven't calibrated since I got it 3 months ago when it was identical. So here's the rub. Over the past 8 weeks since IM focus training, I have been riding with the Kickr for my 95-100% FTP interval riding. Additionally I have had two 2.5 hour weekend rides when I had to work late. These rides have been 20-40 minutes intervals of 80-85% FTP (what I thought were 208-221 W). The Kickr is reading approximately 10 watts higher than my Garmin. For my RRs, after warmup, I have averaged approximately 170-175 Watts. Now both RR's have been cut short due to various issues after 90 (I just sucked after mile 80 and gave in but blamed it on heat) and 105 miles (around mile 80 I ran out of hydration for approximately 15-20 minutes) however, I ran extremely well for both of these RR (this weekend's felt too easy). For most of the last race rehearsal I was easily targeting NP of 180-181W. So the million dollar question is what should my goal wattage be for IMLP. I was thinking of 177-180W (as opposed to the 187 that I initially was shooting for- IF .72) given how comfortable I felt on the run..
So I was riding my Wahoo Kickr and decided to use my Garmin 500 concurrently (as I just updated the firmware yesterday). Lo and behold, the power numbers aren't correlating. So I calibrate the Kickr and same issue occurs. This is when I read the fine print under the calibration and noted that it should be calibrated every 2 weeks. Ouch!!! I haven't calibrated since I got it 3 months ago when it was identical. So here's the rub. Over the past 8 weeks since IM focus training, I have been riding with the Kickr for my 95-100% FTP interval riding. Additionally I have had two 2.5 hour weekend rides when I had to work late. These rides have been 20-40 minutes intervals of 80-85% FTP (what I thought were 208-221 W). The Kickr is reading approximately 10 watts higher than my Garmin. For my RRs, after warmup, I have averaged approximately 170-175 Watts. Now both RR's have been cut short due to various issues after 90 (I just sucked after mile 80 and gave in but blamed it on heat) and 105 miles (around mile 80 I ran out of hydration for approximately 15-20 minutes) however, I ran extremely well for both of these RR (this weekend's felt too easy). For most of the last race rehearsal I was easily targeting NP of 180-181W. So the million dollar question is what should my goal wattage be for IMLP. I was thinking of 177-180W (as opposed to the 187 that I initially was shooting for- IF .72) given how comfortable I felt on the run.. 0
Comments
Sorry, confused. You keep saying Garmin but Garmin isn't a PM, it's a computer that a PM talks to:
Indoors: Wahoo Kickr with readout onto the iPAD. I don't turn on my Garmin to collect data from the Quarq but will from now on so that I have consistent readings from one source which would be the Quarq. In this case the Kickr would simply be there as an ergometer.
Did you do the RR's outside with Garmin + Quarq?
Do you have a history of outdoor rides with Garmin + Quarq?
If yes, post those numbers here.
When you have a PM on your bike, your PM + Garmin is your primary power measuring tool and you completely ignore whatever trainer-based PM tool you have. It's only a venue, not a PM.
Coach, thanks for responding.
Used the quarq/garmin for the RR this weekend.
First 80 miles of RR#2: NP- 175W
Last 25 miles: 145W (ran out of water for 15-20 minutes at the beginning of this stretch)
This RR has me a little confused as the last 25 miles drops my overall NP to 167W which might suggest that I went out too hard in the beginning however I am confident that I didn't as I was able to run at my targeted paces very easily. I felt so good that I even wanted to go faster on the run which is quite rare for me. The next day I had zero soreness other than some residual fatigue climbing steps. My thought was that I simply ran out of fluids and as a result didn't take in enough nutrition for a 15-20 minute period of time as my bottles are double concentrated (and a little hard to take down w/o water). When I finally got back to my car, I downed a ton of fluids and sports drink but I think that it took some time to get going again hence the very comfortable run.
Here's my power profile from the ride if it would help. Thanks
If you feel you pushed the bike to hard on your last RR you could also leave the number where it is at or raise it only 5 watts instead of the 10. You did have a significant drop in power the last section of your RR. Maybe just some fatiuge, lack of focus at the end of a long IM build, or Maybe your FTP is set too high by say 10 watts. You did run well which is a very good sign.
Up to you! I would not stress about it at this ponit so close to your race. If it was me I would go conservative knowing I could make it up on the back half of the bike and especially on the run.
good luck.