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Square One

Either I've lost cycling fitness due to running or the Computrainer has brought me back down to earth** ... or maybe a bit of both. I did 1 hour on the CT last night in my Endurance HR zone (132-145) and had to keep the load at 150 watts.

Strength? What Strength. I guess I'm back to square one.

At least I've got tools I can trust and it is the beginning of base training. I've got almost 7 months to prepare for La Marmotte and I know where I am starting from. More importantly, this year I understand what matters and what doesn't.

Here are my estimated zones based upon an FTP of 250 watts (HR then Watts);
  • Recovery 131 or lower, 139 or lower
  • Endurance 132-145, 140-189
  • Tempo 146-152, 190-227
  • Threshold 153-162, 228-264
  • V02max 163+, 265-302
  • Anaerobic Capacity 163+, 303+

I don't feel ready for a proper FTP test - dusting off the cobwebs from the running. I'll do a test next weekend making sure I get a bit of rest beforehand. So for now I reckon 250w on the CT is realistic - wonder how it will translate to powertap numbers on the road...

** Looking at the ascent of Ventoux from last summer, I was pretty much at my best that day and managed 11.8km/h up the average 7.5% over 21km in 1:47. - that equates to an average power of 235w according to kreuzotter (I didn't take the PT on the trip). The wind wasn't a factor in the forest and the section out of the forest my heartrate went berserk. Maybe I've been kidding myself all this time on the Tacx. Certainly my long rides all have an average of about 180w on the PT at 145bpm.

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