Is a power display a performance enhancer, or a limiter, when testing?
I have been thinking about this for a while now and am wondering what the Team thinks. The basic question is this:
- Does looking at your power display limit, or constrain, your ability to test at a higher level?
- Or, conversely, is the readout a motivator that causes you to test higher than you otherwise would?
I realize this could be construed as a simple optimist/pessimist or glass half-full/half-empty dilemna. It could break down to being dependent upon one's personality. If you find the display to be a challenge (i.e. a low number is a personal affront), then having the display up would tend to make you perform harder.
I am ruminating on this since I will be testing tomorrow. I do not know if it is a limiter to me or not.... Since I know I can currently hold 260W, I might as well start there. However, if I do so and I am capable of more, I will, by design, underperform my potential. If I start out at what I think I could do (with a gun at my head and all), then I will have the potential to have a breakthrough test as I chase the elusive "3-Handle" (as John W. calls it).
Additionally, is knowing my current FTP going to cause some sort of negative-feedback loop if I push based on RPE and then see an unusually high number? Would that cause my brain to start the dialogue along the lines of, 'you KNOW that is too high...you are going to blow up.'
What are your all's thoughts? Has anyone done an FTP test, but *not* looked at their power while testing? Was it higher or lower than you expected?
Thanks,
Joe
Comments
I just posted a very similar question in this forum a few minutes ago ... should I watch the display or not when testing with power, in my case for the first time? Look forward to seeing everyone's feedback on both of our posts!
jc
RPE changes throughout the test going from too easy at first (PM keeps you from going to hard) RPE then progresses to too hard (PM keeps you from backing off too much). I have tried to do sections of my FTP without looking and I usually drift a bit lower but when I look I know what I was last capable of (via last test and all FTP intervals) that I simply move the needle back up. You really are more capable than you think you are and I think the PM just keeps you honest. I mean lets face it about halfway thru every FTP interval I do I start thinking I am never gonna finish this one and somehow someway its over and I made it.
I like your idea of starting at 260 and going up from there the test is plenty long enough for the breakthru performance but you have your absolute floor set!
Tim
First test of the year I don't look for a specific number and try not to look, just ride hard as I can. Once a reliable ft is established, I chase the number I want in subsequent tests and I need the yousuckometer to tell me if I have any value as a human being and if it says no then I work harder. If it says yes I don't believe it and dip into my special needs bag of self loathing to make me work even harder. And it is nice to have the data so as to not lock up the engine half way through the test.
During a bike race or group ride I don't look at the numbers much and just chase whomever is out in front of me- and there's always someone, so no problem there. I'm motivated by peer pressure and my feelings of inadequacy so I pull even harder. And RPE in a race is reliable. But the competitive group scenario is not a time trial. It ebbs and flows.
Racing in a real individual time trial with the powermeter covered would be a nice hybrid of the two.
Although very new to the power world, I'm really trying to understand how all the numbers change based on what I do and feel. I believe that a good strategy for a 42' FTP test can have an impact on your overall number at the end of the test...still learning what that is for me...
Having a ton of fun with my new joule which has increased my training quality a lot. Worth every penny.
I vote to look at the numbers during your test .
As per the guidance in a recent thread by Jim Moss on how to approach an FTP test, I keep my eyes locked on the power numbers and do the first 20 @ what I think my FTP is, and then try and push up in the second 20.
So I think the power numbers really help me push a bigger number :0
One key to racing success at any distance longer than 45 seconds is learning how to modulate (titrate, mete out, etc) your effort level. As noted by others, it's a learning process, and all pieces of information about your status - HR, RPE, Power/pace - are valuable and will help with the learning curve.
Use each workout to help imprint the power numbers with RPE, and how the RPE changes from begining to end. Use what you've learned on race day or testing day.
I'm in the camp of using the watts to rein myself in at the start, and push myself towards the end. I've never found myself with energy to spare at the end of a race or a test because I guessed too low at what my effort should be.
I'm always able to do more work, push higher watts, when I nail my nose to the display. When doing very hard intervals, my watts almost always drop off a bit when I look away, moreso on flats vs climbs. The net is always put up a higher total number when I pay very close attention to the dial.
Motivator. I'd read up on this:
http://bit.ly/IK2LtO
The advice to really back that first 20' off from 100% is, IMO, money.