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Higher CTL... So What?

kimmydctkimmydct
in General Training Discussions
I'm fairly new to Training Peaks and I'm having fun with all the new stats and charts.  When looking at PMC history, I see my CTL is way higher than it was back in Aug 2014 when I had my HIM PR.  So let's assume when I race the Patriot Half in June that my CTL will be about double what it was back then.  But let's also just say my FTP and vdot are roughly the same.  What exactly does that mean, if anything?  If all things remain the same but fitness increases, what does that mean?  I don't think it means I'm faster, but what exactly does this alleged "fitness" mean?

Comments

  • tim cronktim cronk
    I'd say if your CTL is double there is a good chance your FTP maybe higher.... But,if your FTP and Vdot are roughly the same and your CTL is truly doubled then you stand a good chance of taking that alleged fitness and riding a higher percentage of your FTP for the bike leg and then following it up with a better run to boot... Course the balance of how much to leave on the bike to save for the run still exists but I'd expect a better overall race :-) I'm interested in a follow up here... Have you noticed being able to hold the same watts for longer durations than normal in training?
  • kimmydctkimmydct
    Tim- yes, I have noticed an improvement in holding my targeted watts longer. I've been doing some more traditional bike base training this year, and also didn't totally hit the couch after IMChoo. I took a little time off then jumped into more cycling including cyclocross racing for the fall/winter. I will be doing an FTP test in a few weeks so we'll see if there are any gains there. I'll definitely keep you posted!
  • thekidduxcthekidduxc
    Believe you are due an FTP bump!
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    In my observation of my CTL last season, and getting it up to very high numbers through consistent high volume and intensity training, CTL embodies the phrase "the more you do, the more you CAN do." 

    By the middle of the summer my standard week was north of 22hrs. A recovery run week for me was about 25-30 miles. Over time I was just surprised at how much work I was able to absorb week after week. And so while my FTP wasn't at lifetime high levels, and I'm pretty sure my running T-pace was about 20-30" per mile slower than in '11, I was a friggin' diesel who could go all day long, day after day. 

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