Home› General Training Discussions

Training at new FTP this late worth it?

TK651TK651
in General Training Discussions

Finished the last threshold test yesterday and I am wondering if it is worth it to adjust the last three weeks to the new FTP?  I am in week #17 fast approaching the start of tapering before Louisville.  It was a 5 pt bump (277-282) but I am unsure if there is any benefit at this point to adjust the remaining training.

Previous tests have been consistant to what I have been using (verified in time trials and races) but this week the FTP Fairy sprinkled some increase dust all over my bike.  I like the increase (shows that work works) but not sure it is that meaningful at this point.

Thanks for any thoughts comments.

Comments

  • GeneGene

     My advice is to do RR2 off the new FTP, and reevaluate how you feel. But I would race the first half off the old FTP, unless the RR2 is a breeze. If it works right you can bump up your 2nd Half of the race with the new FTPnumbers and neg split the race. The difference is only somewhere around 10 watts at .7 IF. 

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    I'd err on the side of not bumping it up for racing. It'll yield nominal results and you might risk going too hard, but like Gene said I think it might be worth testing in an RR. I think for training though you'd be okay using your higher FTP.
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    Your "new FTP" is your FTP. So I think you should train with it and race with it. One of the great things about a higher FTP is that you can race a % of it and it's a higher number. You go faster. That's why you train!!

    Of course an FTP test is condition-specific, so if your new FTP was set on a nice and cool day and then it's 100-degrees in Louisville you will need to adjust...but that's the case with your "old FTP" as well.
  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco
    I'd train with the new FTP, race with the old one.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

     Kevin ... A five watt bump for you equals nearly six minutes faster on a 5-5.5 hour IM bike split. If you can hit the new power levels consistently in training, why throw away six minutes on race day?

  • Peter GreaggPeter Greagg
    What Al said.
    You earned the right to go faster in the test.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    Train with new, do final RR with new, see how that goes and decide from there about what to do on race day. Congrats!!
  • Keith WickKeith Wick
    One other thing to remember about the new FTP in terms of the actual race is that you are fatigued right now, so the test reflects some of that fatigue. On race day, you'll be fresher, coming off a nice taper
  • TK651TK651

    WOW, thanks for all the great responses, comments, and ideas.  I think I will adjust tomorrow's RR to reflect the new FTP.  If the run feels good off the bike (wait does it really ever?!?) or less crappy, then I will give some serious thought to racing with it.  Should it feel bad and I end up crying for my mother, then I will keep it down.

    I like the comment that I did earn it by working hard but the catch was that the test temp was only 88 degrees and not Africa Safari hot like Louisville.  None-the-less, this whole season of racing and training on the bike have been the best yet.  Faster race splits, faster training paces, just overall stronger to compliment all the speed on the run I re-discovered.

    Yes, I am drinking the kool-aid, along with a nice IPA, and I am thankful for the teammates and their entire knowledge base that they are willing to share.

    Many, many thanks from MN.

     

Sign In or Register to comment.