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the 1000th question about a "blown up" bike test

Julia HerrmannJulia Herrmann
in General Training Discussions

Soooo,

Due to weather worries, I switched my testing this week such that I ran on Tuesday and biked on Thursday instead of the other way around.  The run test went really well.  The bike test, not so much.  I felt like I really couldn't "access" my 110% everything-I-had for this test. I've been having some difficulties consistently hitting my z4/z5 on the bike the past few weeks.  I think this is likely related to stress I am carrying around from work.  My question is this:  I do think my zones need to be adjusted, but I feel that my bike test was exceptionally poor.  (worst. one. ever.)  I am wondering if I should retest or use a middle ground heart rate or just use the heart rate from the test since it may even be accurate for where I am now, all run down with work? 

Thank you!!! 

Comments

  • zildgenzildgen
    @ Julia can we get a little more info? previous test LHR's and associated RPE's, also what has your HR been like relative to RPE during work-outs? Finally where are you in OS?
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    In general I tell people who have failed tests to go ahead and use the wattage that they've shown in the last couple weeks before the test. You can do this either by looking at specific workouts, using your gut, when using the rolling 30 day view inside WKO. think of an FTP test like taking the SATs: Just because he got about score doesn't mean but you're not smart! (Not that anyone's ever told me that before!) :-)
  • Julia HerrmannJulia Herrmann

    Coach P:  ok thanks!!  this sounds like a nice middle ground.  image 

    Dewey: for some more deets:  Previous tests LTHRs:  hovering around 175bpm for much of my in season last year (May-Oct).  Dec test was at 180. The distances covered in 40 minutes was hovering around 13.5 miles. This weeks test: 160 bpm, covering 12.6 miles.  

    I am actually in training for IMSG, and I'm in week 8 of 20.  Just came out of the November OS maybe 2 weeks ago.  

    Does this help at all?  

    Thank you all!!  

     

  • zildgenzildgen
    Julia , Thanks for the added info. Looks like a bad test to me as you've been steady in 170-180 for many months, so I would agree with Coach P just use your previous zones and forget about it. I had similar experience last year and tried a few workouts with the new HR zones. That was a disaster as RPE was no were near where it should have been based on previous workouts. I posted a very similar question and then went with he old HR's vs. somewhere in the middle. Likely there is not a lot of change in HR zones test to test within reason. (ie similar temps, humidity, hydration, fatigue ect..). So I would say chalk it up to a bad test and go with the previous zones as long as your RPE is similar to what you have been doing. Hope that helps. Good luck a IMSG
  • Julia HerrmannJulia Herrmann

    yeah it totally helps!  Had a big ride today, and I think my self adjusted zones are going to work out ok.  There could be a few different reasons why I flunked the bike test, but the run test was great, as was the swim test this morning!  So I am just going to chalk it up to who knows what and move on.  

    Thanks!!

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