I am so confused!!

Yasko Howell

Hi Everyone, I just joined the team and starting the 5th week of intermediate IM training plan.  The plan doesn't tell me anything about testing at all, when do I need to take it?, how do I take it?, etc., yet, by reading some discussions, that is what I need to do first before I start the training?  I have had my VO2 checked before, so I have some idea on my zones, but I would like to know where I can find more detail information on tests.  How do you determine FTP?  I don't own a power meter, but use CompuTrainer.  Also, is there any place where I can find all the acronyms definitions that are used in the training plan?   I would also like to know where I need to post if I have any questions for my training plans.. Sorry for all the basic questions, but I find it very difficult to find exact information I am looking for in this overwhelming amount of information in here.  Appreciate your help! 

 

Tom Glynn

I would start with the EN wiki. On the red title bar above, click on Resources and select wiki. This is a great start for a bunch of your questions including sections on acronyms and determining FTP. Specific questions regarding your plan can be posted to an ongoing thread called  "The Micro Thread - "I need training/scheduling feedback from the Coaches about THIS WEEK" Thread" hard to miss with thousands of views and posts. If you have questions about training in general, post to the "The Macro Thread -- Get the Coaches' Advice on Season Planning, Big Picture Stuff". I think that if you browse through those two posts, you'll learn a ton too.



If you can't find what you are looking for still, post back here and there are lots of us willing to point you in the right direction.



EN can be a tad confusing to start as you try and get your head around all this information. Hang in there, you'll get it and be much better off for it!



tom

Coach Patrick

What Tom said...go to the wiki (here's the table of contents) and keep asking questions, we'll get you going....

Yasko Howell

Thank you so much, Tom and Coach Patrick.  I printed out tons of info and will spend time to go through them.  I might come back with more questions though

Linda Patch

What I tell al the new folks here, wrap your head around thinking of EN like taking a course. Spend the time reading, learning, asking, and they payoff will be there for sure. It takes some doing, but it's so worth it in the end. Welcome aboard!

Yasko Howell

Hi I am back. I read and read about how you can measure FTP, but I haven't been successful.... since I don't own a power meter, I am trying to accomplish that with CompuTrainer. I tried to use both 3D and CS, and I just can't convert the file into the txt file to download to WKO site. Is it not possible to use CompuTrainer to get FTP? What is the alternative way to do that? Thanks for your help!

Nemo Brauch

Yasko- I don't have a computrainer so I'm not completely familiar with how that software works. But I'd recommend you post this question in the Power/Pace section of the Forums with a title like "How to establish FTP on Computrainer". That will get the attention of the folks here who have a CT and who can help you out.

mattsull

Hi Yasko,

You don't need to convert the file. WKO accepts the raw files from either Computrainer software. What I do is select "Open File" within WKO and find the file I want to import. I use the 3D software to test on a flat course so it is found in C:Program Files (x86)CompuTrainer 3D V3Rider Performance. Select the file I saved from the ride and it should come right in.

Hope this helps.

Yasko Howell

Thank you, Nemo and Matt. Unfortunately, when I tried to open the 3D file, xxx.3dp, I get an error message stating Unable to determine file format... I will post the question to power/pace forum.