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Why OS bike workouts and trainer road wkos vary?

I'm new to Trainer Road and really appreciate that the coaches have entered the OS wkos in there for us to use...huge time saver for me! However, I am noticing that many of the wkos are different in length of time on TR vs what is prescribed in my training plan. The main sets seem to right (the important part!), but sometimes the TR wkos are a bit shorter on extra time in zone 3. Is there any reason for this and if not, is there an easy way to add some time on the pre-programmed TR wkos??

Comments

  • Hi Brad, I use the TR workout creator to customize the pre-programmed OS workouts. I always add the full 25 min EN WU to the beginning, and then however much Z3 I'm feeling at the end. Just go under "Custom" then click "Create Custom Workout". From there you can search for the OS workout and then edit it to your liking.
  • You can create a Z3 interval and save as a snippet and then just reuse it everytime. I also created a snippet for the warmup and just add it to every workout.
  • The main reason is that it is because there is no prescribed amount of Z3 after the work....the only part of the workout that the coaches care about is the work.

  • Perfect! Didn't know that I could customize a wko that was setup already. I'll try it today....thanks!
  • @Brad I know the coaches say focus on the main set but if you have the time those Z3 spins after the tough repeats are awesome for simulating fatigue that you acquire deep into a half IM or full. What every normally does is tire and then drop into a bigger gear and spin less. Doing those Z3 spins at a higher cadence on the workouts will get rid of that mindset as well as the dead leg feel.

    I look forward to them on every one of the FTP workouts.

  • @Ray - agree on the extra z3 time. I normally add it but couldn't figure out how to do so using TR. Just set it all up and ready to go now. Thanks!
  • Depending upon where you are in OS/season...the extra Z3 work does not contribute to your race day successs...simply doesn't...wanna do it...but its not the purpose of the workouts.

     

  • ...to expand on that...I wanted to edit...if your not at the tail end of OS...and looking to drop into say race prep...where the saturday rides go from 1.5 hours to 3hr....there is no reason to add "extra" Z3 on the end of the workouts that translates into a faster IM raceday....fatique at that point of the workout only serves to make you tired, have a negative impact on form...and negative impact on the real work you need to do tomorrow....Just sayin'.

    It really depends upon where you are in your training cycle...the siren call of "more is better"... to "overachieve" and "do more" is powerful.

     

  • @JL Maybe not for you or most but it sure has helped me.

  • @Jl I think you are reading this wrong. No one is adding more time. We are referring to the z3 time that is on the work out.

  • Ray is correct. I was specifically referring to 80' on my OS plan vs 60' that is on TR. As you know in many cases the OS will give you main sets and give you the option to do extra time. In this situation, the wko was actually 80'. I believe that the extra time, beyond the MS, is helpful for me. Especially in the late stages of the OS and leading into the GF plan, which as I recall has some lengthy bike wkos. However, as Joseph notes, the fatigue factor is something to watch.

  • Posted By Ray Brown on 21 Jan 2014 05:51 PM

    @Jl I think you are reading this wrong. No one is adding more time. We are referring to the z3 time that is on the work out.



    I think so...I was referring to adding on extra.....

  • Just sharing what I do ... despite the statement "We have no volume goals per se for any of these workouts, I do at least the time listed in the plan. Some of the FTP workouts will take longer than the 60 minutes allotted, so be it. If I have time after the Main Set to fill, I do it @ about 80%. That's the first 8 weeks of OS. The last 6 weeks, I start lengthening the Tuesday and Saturday rides to 75/150 minutes.

    The TR EN OS custom workouts I view as a "starter set". We each need to do the workout we are capable of. For those who want the simplest approach, by all means, just plug in the TR ride and go. But It's not that hard to learn how to use the Workout Creator to customize them, takes very little time and only requires the ability to click a mouse (the ability to type is optional). That way, you can get the warm up you want, the SS time you think you can handle, etc.

  • @Al what you said is what Brad and I were saying. Thank you!

  • Thanks for the input here. Love the fact that I ask a question, and I get the answers so quick! As a follow up, i found it fairly easy to customize the wko for yesterday and add the z3 time to change the wko from 60 to 80 min. Although halfway through my bike last night, I was questioning why I changed it! I'm sure with more practice, it'll be even easier to make the changes going forward. Thanks again.
  • @Brad Trust me we will scorch IMLP!!!

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