Should I test?
Hey, crew--
As some of you may recall, I spent the first 8 weeks of the OS unknowingly riding with a faulty Powertap (and consequently with an incorrect FTP number). Sent it to Saris for repair, got it back 2 weeks ago and tested so I could get an accurate FTP number for training.
Question: Should I do the scheduled test on Monday even though I just tested 2 weeks ago? Or just treat it like a regular OS workout week? Not sure what kind of bump (if any) I could expect in just 2 weeks.
Pros of NOT testing: Avoid burnout; Avoid hit to fragile confidence if number is same or lower; Avoid irritating wife and kids by fretting about it all weekend
Pros of DOING the test: Could see a bump; Good practice doing tests; Building Mental Fu skills
Thoughts?
-Chris
Comments
Chris,
Do the test. It'll be good for you.
It's just another 2x20' regardless of the outcome. During week 8, I was burned out, fatigued, and just done. I saddled up and did the test anyway. A few minutes into the 2nd 20' I knew it wasn't going to happen. I couldn't hold my numbers at all. I finished it and just treated it as another 2x20 and for me, just to say on the bike and keep the pedals turning was in and of itself a huge accomplishment for me. I didn't bust out a great test, but I learned how to deal with setbacks.
FYI, my pnorm for that 2nd test was 290. My Nov test was 300. A few weeks later, I did the sneak attack FTP and yileded a 305.
Doing these are good mental toughness tests.
My 2 cents.
Dave
What Dave said. Other possible benefits
if the test goes well:
-new FTP, new levels, more pain in future workouts
if the test doesn't go well:
-learning that there is life after a bad test, it happens to all of us
either way:
-another opportunity to learn not to be scared of testing yourself. We've got nobody to answer to but ourselves on these tests. Back when I was a rower, I was scared to death of doing the 2000 meter tests on the erg (rowing machine, equivalent of rowing pain cave), because I'd convinced myself that it was life or death, everything was on the line, and I might never recover from a bad test. Only when I finally went into a test saying "F this, my life doesn't change depending on the outcome of the test" was I able to start to test well.
Mike
As usual I agree with Mike and Dave. Testing is really as much about getting an awesome amount of work done in 42 minutes as it is about having or validating a number. If you had the mental capacity or lack thereof you could do a couple of tests a week, it would really only injure your will to live. As you become more experienced with using power, testing, racing with power etc you are going to always have a really good idea what your FTP is at any time. The only reason to do the tests at that point is for the workout.
Give it a rip. If you come out with a higher number, great. If you don't, continue to use the bigger one anyhow. My money is on you coming up with a bigger number. Oh and do not annoy your wife about it all weekend, save it for Sunday evening.
OK, I'm in for the test! As you guys say, at the very least I get a good workout in and maybe learn something in the process.
And I suppose I gotta do my part to represent the East Coast (Mid-Atlantic Chapter) for the Carrot Awards!
Thanks for the needed kick in the butt!
-Chris