Home General Training Discussions

2016/17 NOS Week 14 Bike Thread - Celebrate what you have earned

Welcome to the week 14 2016/17 NOS bike thread.  This is our last week of the NOS, and it is time to celebrate what you have earned over the past 13 weeks.  What better way to celebrate than with a test?  Tuesday's FTP intervals are a bit shorter than normal wko. Thursday is the test, so try to make sure you come in to it rested.  I am looking forward to hearing all the great results, so be sure to post.  I know we have not mentioned it in a while, but be sure to post your results in the tracker as well.

I recommend going back to the Week 8 bike thread to see all the advice on how to approach the test.  

Good luck!
 
«1

Comments

  • One more thing....  This was an alternate plan from the week 8 thread if you need a little more rest.

    Mon - OFF 
     Tue - Light Ride of 45 minutes mostly in Zone 2. 
     Wed - 30 minute run @ TRP effort, with strides. 
     Thu - OFF 
     Fri - Bike Test Day (good warm up!) 
     Sat - OFF 
     Sun - Run Test Day 
  • But I don't wanna test!  And where did my profile picture go?
  • edited January 31, 2017 12:56PM
    All - just checking in to see how everyone is doing.  I've got my first ski race weekend coming up, so I'm doing sort of a lighter week headed into the races.  Unfortunately we're (again!) the only place that seems to not be getting snow, so we won't be doing the full point-to-point City of Lakes Loppet.  Instead we'll be doing 5 laps of 6K.  I'm doing the classic style race on Saturday and the Skate race on Sunday, so 60K total on the weekend.  Conditions will be challenging and the course is pretty hilly, so it will be a good test.  Enjoy your last week of the OS!  I'll try to post a RR from the weekend on Sunday.
  • Did my workout this morning - three 10-minute intervals at 100% FTP.  Felt heavy at first and then better once I got into it.  One thing I noticed after experimenting this past week, I definitely feel way more comfortable in the 100-103 rpm area.  A few years ago, I was always in the 85-90 area.  Not sure why I pedal faster now, but I have found a new targeted cadence.

    I had to cut short the workout to catch my train for work, but did the intervals.  Got in about 57 minutes of saddle time.  I can feel a cold coming on, so I am going to rest for 48 hours and take the FTP test early on Thursday morning. 

    Hope everyone gets a healthy pick up in power on the week 14 test!
  • @Bill McKinney - Good luck with the race!  Looks like it will be a long, hard weekend. Let us know how it goes.

  • @Bill McKinney - good luck bro!
    @Patrick Marsh - High quality interval work consistently being done on your part!  Nice job!

    I had a early morning V02 session that hurt: https://www.strava.com/activities/850396382

    Happy testing this week all!

    SS

  • Wasn't feeling well last night. Also felt a cold coming on.  Did an easy 45 minute spin and will try to test on Thursday. 

    Transitioning to HIM ADV for IMPR 70.3

  • edited February 1, 2017 2:22AM
    Had to do my FTP test this morning, due to unfavorable work sched the rest of this week. 

    Took yesterday off, and got as much rest as possible for the test. Fueled up and with some gel and gatorade before starting.  Good warm-up before 5 min Vo2 max. Was able to hold a much better power than I thought, but not true 120%. Still came out with 391NP (1.10) for the 5 mins. Better percentage than the week 8 test, so I will take it. 

    The 20 min FTP went as well as I could have hoped. I was able to keep a steady climb through each 5 min segment. I ended up only getting a 1W bump from week 8, but cranked out a 378NP ave, leading to a 358NP FTP (3.85 w/kg). That number is a new personal best, and 5 watts above the end of last years NOV OS. I am very happy with the bike gains, since I really am near my limits, most likely. 

    Good luck with the Thurs test everybody!!
  • @Ed - awesome results from this OS.

    A slight cold is lingering in the background. Nothing severe, but enough to raise the resting HR by 25 bpm.  Oh, and shooting into the 170'sauce during ftp sets.

    55' was all I had in me this morning.
    2x10'@ .98 & .96
    I was struggling to hold on to that .96.  Rush concert Vidor wasn't cutting it for motivation either.
  • @ed great work
    @Phil Mills if my resting HR is up 25 I would definitely not be doing ftp work   That is significantly high and should be telling you to stand down or at least go easy. 5-10 bpm, I can have an internal debate. 
  • @"Ed Shimon" - I saw you test on strava, and it was a thing of beauty!  Well Done.
    @Phil Mills Tom Sawyer did not do the trick?  I hope you feel better soon!

    I think I had my best Tuesday wko of the offseason.  3 X 15' @ 1.00,1.01 and 1.01 with a 10' APB @.85.

    I am not testing this week, because I am extending the OutSeason a couple of weeks.

    https://www.strava.com/activities/851080203/laps
  • @Phil - if my HR went up 25 beats, I would be in the ER  :p
    @Ed - nice job - that is a huge power number!

    Testing tomorrow - I'll let you guys know how it goes
  • Haven't been posting, partly due to the loss of email notifications with the forum upgrade, partly to shifting to swim camp last week.

    Did my test last weekend, and increased to 203W, which is a 13% increase during the OS.  Not quite to where I'd like, but a pretty significant improvement.

    Thanks, all, for the mojo both here and Strava, getting through the OS.  Now it's time to change the work!
  • edited February 1, 2017 4:00PM
    @Ellen Sauter - Good luck testing!
    @Ed Shimon - 3.85 w/kg when defined in the online Wikipedia has a very short definition - "Badass"!
    @Bill Manard - 13% increase in an OS is a number I can only dream of - huge improvement BM!

    I found my dark place early this morning with some FTP interval work: 
    https://www.strava.com/activities/851540344/laps

    SS
  • @Shaughn Simmons Unfortunately, that still represents a little below where I exited NOS last year.  I still think there's a few more watts to squeeze out there.  Of course, I can only dream of the workload you put in, so we both have aspiration!
  • Unfortunately, I've developed a nasty cold. I think I'll probably delay my FTP test and do it sometime this weekend. 
  • Tuesday's 3x10' workout went well...intervals were at 1.0, 1.1, .93.  Due to FTP testing this week, I cut off the workout at 60 minutes and eased off the power in the third interval.  I'm planning to test Thursday evening.

    This Saturday I'm planning to roll right into the Tour of Sufferlandria, Feb 4 - 12, then one week of Swim Camp, Get Fast Plan, and HIM.

    @Scott Imlay @Phil Mills - I hope you quickly get over your colds!
    @Ed Shimon - huge FTP results...great job!
    @Bill Manard - a 13% increase over the OS is huge and on the top end of expected gains. Keep up the consistent work and it will keep going up.
    @Shaughn Simmons - as usually, you're putting out consistent, impressive work while motivating everyone!

    Good luck everyone testing this week.
  • @Shaughn Simmons Thanks for the wiki clarification on my w/kg! LOL.  I will have to store that next to my can of whoop-ass. :-P
  • @Ed Shimon.  #wattagebazooka    Amazing FTP. 
  • @Derrek Sanks I'll be starting ToS as well. Looks even more fun this year! Using that to kick off HIM training. 
  • FTP went down by 2 points.  Very disappointed.  

    Bad software morning - TR crashed first attempt 20 minutes in.  Then in the middle of my test I lost my cadence meter.   Never could find a comfortable gear.  

    Accept adversity and move on I guess.  I had better focus on losing weight and bike handling. 

    My FTP is back where I started week 1 - 256.  

    Hoping others kick butt today.  Good luck!


  • Got my bike test done this morning... now I want to go back to bed! I felt like I gave it my all and raised my FTP a bit up to 270. 

    I'm starting the Swim Camp next week and looking forward to building up to the Quassy Half. Best of luck to everyone with their tests and wrapping up the OS!

    @Ed Shimon - Great work - those number are crazy!
    @Bill Manard - Well done, huge improvement
    @Patrick Marsh - Argh, sounds like you had a rough go of it. Hope you have better luck next time.

       
  • Got the bike test done this morning and glad that's over with!  My week 1 results were botched due to equipment and user error.  Coach P estimated my FTP at about 135.  Week 8 was 148 (2.91) and Week 14 stayed the same at 148.  I'm a little disappointed in the results.  I think I began too conservatively and had too much left at the end. 

    My V02 in Week 8 was 171 and today I got a 182 (3.39).  So I'm pleased with that.  I've never trained with power before these 14 weeks, so this has been a new way of training and I've really enjoyed it.   I continue to learn and strive to become a better/smarter athlete.

    This has been a great group!  Thanks for all the posts and motivation.  Best of luck to everyone! 


  • Some wildly impressive FTP numbers up there!

    Mine aren't quite as high but I'm still happy. Started the OS at 205 and just tested my new FTP at 233. That is by far the most consistent I have ever been with training on the bike. 
  • edited February 2, 2017 4:30PM
    Got my test done - pretty happy with the results.  My FTP went from 167 in week 1 to 177 in week 14.  But, was also 177 in week 8, so no increase.  Maybe at my ripe, old age of 52 I have smaller gains that can be made.  Still happy because 177 is the highest FTP I have ever had.  The exciting part is my VO2 MAX went from 211 to 216.  Those 30/30's paid off.  This type of power will definitely help me at OFF-Road Nationals in June.  Mountain Biking is all about the power surges.  Super happy with that.

    I'm off to Swim Camp and then Get Faster before gearing up for Nationals.  IMAC70.3 is in September.

    Loved being part of this group - 
    @Shaughn - your enthusiasm is contagious!
    @Brian, @Patrick and @Derek - thanks for all your support
    @Sabra - way to go with the power!  You will love training with it.
  • @Bill Manard - you look like you are in a very good place right now and on track for IMMT!
    @Patrick Marsh - All FTP tests can't be HUGE blow out increases.  Sometime, just holding the line while carrying a run load and improving the run is a BIG win.  Consider looking at that way.....
    @Ross Kaffenberger - give us a w/kg before/after test.  Either way, 270 is a crank bending number!
    @Sabra Gonzalez - consider Patrick comments I made and....nice job!
    @Stephen Cogger  - one word ===>>  HUGE!

    Some Z2/recovery intervals for me this morning: https://www.strava.com/activities/852650366

    Nice work all!

    SS


  • Got my test in this morning although was tough to drag myself down to the basement.  Felt quite sluggish.  Good warmup and dig in.  It was tough work (as always) but moved the needle on both vO2 and ftp.
    ftp wk1: 213 wk8: 224 wk 14: 227
    vo2: wk1: 268 wk8; 273 wk14: 282

    Was hoping to squeeze out a few more points but can't complain considering a tough few weeks of travel, colds and stomach bugs.  
  • Nice bump @Patrick Hughes !  7% is certainly nothing to complain about!
  • Did my test today. Test results Distance 5.8 mi; speed 17.5 avg hr 135.  Wk 8 was 15.7 mph. With avg hr of 130. I'll take a 1.8 mph increase! Overall on my test course was 59:42 first time ever under an hour.  This is on the heels of an 11 min PR on my half marathon last Saturday. If I could only lose about 30 lbs I'd be extatic. Thanks EN. 
  • Good work everyone.  I got some mojo from reading your posts before I tested.  

    I had a great test this evening and probably left 5-10 watts on the table by starting off too conservatively.  This is my highest FTP since I started training with power.  I used the same execution strategy as before...first 5 mins slightly above FTP and increase watts every 5 mins.  Turns out my Vo2Max was lacking but during the test I thought I went too hard in those 5 mins and would suffer during the 20 min test.   

    I used the Trainer Road 20 min test (on my dumb trainer) and here are my numbers:

    Vo2Max: 302 NP (wk 1- 274, wk8 - 289)

    20 Min Test: 290 NP/276 FTP (wk1 - 230 FTP; wk8 - 256 FTP)
        -- 1st 10 mins: 273 NP
        -- 2nd 10 mins: 304 NP

    w/kg = 3.6 (current weight...I'm 10 pounds over my typical race weight)

    https://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/5122326-20-minute-test

    I'm very please with my results and improvement over the OS.  

    @Brian Hagan - Thanks for leading the NOS!  You and the team made this a great experience, keeping everyone motivated and accountable.  Good luck to everyone with your race season!!



Sign In or Register to comment.