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First test with HR or wait for power??

Bob IrwinBob Irwin
in OutSeason (January ‘10)

I'm going to be training with power this year.  I'll order my PT next week when Rich gets back from the holidays.  The first week of the OS pkan says to do an FTP or LTHR test on Monday.  I obviously won't have my wheels by then.  So, I guess my options are: 1) do the LTHR test and not be able to measure the difference in power to my next test 2) do the test on the exercise bike at the health club - it measures power (not sure how accurate) and average power - not normalized power, so I'm not sure that would work - I certainly don't plan to do future tests at the club or 3) wait until my new wheels come from wheelbuilder, and then to my test.  Thoughts??

Comments

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    There's little value to the OS workouts unless you know the target range you should be working in. Also, "you never know" exactly how long it will be until you get your power set up in your home and working. I vote for testing with HR method on the first day of the OS, and using that LTHR for the first four weeks, while you learn the ins and outs of your new power gizmo.

  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    X2 what Al said!
  • Linda PatchLinda Patch

    I think the HR test, and the subsequent weeks of training, will give you useful parameters for helping you figure out what to shoot for in  your first power test. Power will turn everything on its head once you get it, but the HR range will at least give you some info. Looking forward to helping you along with the power info when you get it!

  • wieczynskiwieczynski

    You're not alone.  That is exactly how I started EN last year.  You'll feel like the kid without the lollipop for a while, but it all works out.

  • John StarkJohn Stark

    HR like the others have suggested. 

    We have the Cyclops bikes with power at my club and all 4 appear to "feel" different when I am attempting intervals on them.  No way to really knwo if the the data is the same as my PT, but it feels different.  And it would since it isn't my bike.  :-)

    And note that based on what others have experienced in the past, you may overshoot your HR the first few intervals if you haven't done EN sessions before (i.e. not complete the intervals cuz you start out too hard).  After a few interval sesssions you will get your actual zones and will then make things happen.  So don't get discouraged if it happens.  But who knows, you may be a superstar from the start like KONA Geoff was. 

    And having Nemo (and Linda?) in January OS is a HUGE bonus when you get your PT.  They are power WSM's (Wicked Smart Members) on steroids!    They rock.

     

  • TerryOTerryO
    I'm a newbie and was in the same situation. I'm going Quarq and am ordering everything power as soon as the Joule is released. I've got a vacation coming up so I might not be in power until the end of January (or later). I'm in the Jan OS but wanted to start back on the bike early since I'm not really running. I did a few of the workouts from weeks 3 & 4 of the Nov OS plan which was originally loaded up for me. All of the main sets are 95-100% of FTP which is basically as hard as you can maintain for that period of time. I just figured out the highest gear I could maintain on my trainer for that long (2x12, 2x15, etc) and have stuck with that for 6 or 8 workouts. After a couple weeks I might try to step up the gearing but right now I think I'm working as hard as I am supposed to, even if I don't have a number to guide me. "The rest of the time at 80-85%" just means a gear with a little less pain in the legs. Once I get the PM I'll FTP test and do it appropriately, but I think this is working out pretty well for me for now. It just seems to me that trying to dial in HR is a waste of time when I know my power is coming shortly. The power thing will take time to learn, but I'm trying to learn as much as I can before hand. Plus, even with a lot to learn, I should be able to at least test and set my zones right off the bat. Just my $0.02.
  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak

    Bob,

    I'd start with the HR and when you power meter arrives post a note in the forum about working in a test.  You can work in a 2X20 test on a a Tuesday depending on how you are feeling recovery wise. 

    I received my powertap at the end of week one, due to travel from work I did my FTP test Tuesday week 2.

    Gordon 

     

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