dcamp2

iTrader: (4)

Drugs sound like a legitimate option at this point.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Well, my season is fucked. This is sad. It was time for a new FTP test two weeks ago, did it, went form 265-275 (I'm pathetic). I've done four workouts since and can't get through them. Washington +4 and Fish -2. I'm melting down, getting the shakes 50% or 75% of the way through, then reduce power and cannot finish the workouts. Do I lower FTP arbitrarily or start over on the sustained power plan? I'm a little bewildered by this, really wanted to see 300w before CX season in Nfovember but now it's pretty clear that won't happen so I'm not racing CX nor road.

ridethecliche

iTrader: (2)

Have you done a MAP test?

If you can't even get through a workout using the new FTP numbers, then you either had fantastic form on the day of the test or your PM wasn't calibrated correctly. You can push your FTP up using a lower number for setting your workouts far more efficiently than you can pull it up using a number so high such that you can't even get through the workout. Gains are far higher if you can actually do the workouts you're supposed to without dying.

If you're shaking etc, then it sounds like you're bonking or going hypoglycemic. Have you been sick at all lately? How's your diet and sleep lately?

I know the low FTP feelz. When I used to race, my FTP was like 240-250. I had a 1350W 5 sec and 1430W jump though lol. I think I averaged 1000W for 30 secs when I was in flying form. Those were the days...

EErockMiata

Do you listen to the trainer road podcast or read the trainer road blog? I'm not a cx or road racer, but I listen to the podcast off and on and they give some great insights on what to do in situations like this. Have you done their new ramp ftp test?

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Well, I did it with a Cycleops Hammer and Stages, both were within error for virtually all of the workout. Sleeping fine, not sick. I'm on the same diet I've been on for a while, ate corn grits or raw-egg-over-rice before each workout so I know the sugars were there. I did the FTP test a day after riding ~70-miles with many cat-2 and cat-3 guys, had some fatigue. Reality is here though, 275w FTP putting me at 3.3w/Kg means I'm not racing this season.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I did the new ramp. Which podcast episode do you suggest?

ridethecliche

iTrader: (2)

Ramp FTP test sounds like MAP test.

https://zwifthacks.com/app/map-ftp-calculator/

Protocol: https://online.thecyclinggym.com/art...training-zones

Basically, warm up for 15-20 mins then test.

Start at 80W. Ramp up by 20W/min till you can't hold power anymore and/or your cadence falls well below your normal range. Few places to calculate what that should be in FTP, but more importantly it's a good way to set your zones. Test is over pretty quickly and is less taxing than an FTP test. Besides, the zones matter far more than an exact number for FTP.

I remember going through and comparing results on the racing forum on bikeforums with this vs ftp tests with a bunch of the folks on there. I preferred to do MAP testing because FTP tests made me useless. I mostly raced crits and my goal was to hide and save myself so my FTP didn't ever really matter. I just needed to train in the right zones so I wasn't lollygagging during training rides.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

So it sounds like in three months, I made no increase to power. Ugh, why am I doing this?

ridethecliche

iTrader: (2)

Because you hate yourself and like to suffer?

That's why I used to ride a lot anyway...

Don't be so numbers driven. It's hard not to be, but there are a lot more metrics to it than just that. Races aren't won on FTP alone....especially crits (if that's what you're into).

hustler

iTrader: (6)

How am I supposed to race against dudes from Super Squadra, Elbows, and Tilt with a sub 4w/Kg in CX as a cat-4? I don't see how anyone ever moves up.

TurboTim

iTrader: (9)

Race where they don't?

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

Step back and look at why you race.

Is it solely so you can get on the podium?
Or is it primarily because you just plain love racing your bike?

If it's the former, you will burn out, if you haven't already. You have to love riding, training and racing your bike. Results are just motivation to push harder and suffer more. It's cat 4 for CX, no elite state championships. You are taking yourself too seriously. That always leads to
an unhappy bike racer. Take your racing seriously, but have a constant sense of humor about yourself as a racer. It's a bicycle race. A source of joy, a distraction from the pressures of everyday life and work. It keeps you fit and allows you to eat more, drink more beer.
A cool tribe to belong to.

Any misgivings you may have about inequality in the races yo choose to participate must be brief, not the sole focus of your training. Brush it off, focus on the work you need to to do to improve. Race your best. Enjoy that. Results need to be secondary, particularly when you are a ways from your ultimate athletic potential, still a few upgrades from your best. The work is the reward.

3rdCarMX5

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if you want my perspective, but I am a numbers guy as well so I figured I would offer it. Numbers are numbers, they don't line up perfectly with results. Numbers are no guarantee of success (with a few exceptions), and hitting them only serves to move your expectation to the next level. My experience, from the other side of the spectrum, is that hitting your threshold targets and sucking in the race feels just as bad.

With that out of the way, there is no way to diagnose your workout over a forum but one thing to think about are allergies. I have really bad allergies and when they act up, I might as well be asthmatic and overtrained and just pack it up for the day. The difference in power is like >20% on a bad day, and if it is windy in spring- it may just be a bad week. Don't look at one week as decisive. Freshness and fitness go together, and I would rather perform when it counts than hit some TSS.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

In road and crits, I'm racing away from the pile-ups, do not like it, constantly getting pushed around and into barriers and curbs. In CX I typically race beyond my fitness. However, I'm getting to a point where I need to post some results or need to save face and stop racing. I'm 37, going to be 40 soon and will have to race in Masters, that won't be pretty. Racing is fun, but not when you're getting lapped and pulled.

I think I just answered my own question, think this might be over.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Sadly I'm free and clear of allergies. I know what you mean by hitting numbers, but those are tickets to the show. It's like when I did group rides, which I don't anymore, and you're the guy that gets shoved into the grass, dirt, or curb because you're in the way? I don't want to be that guy anymore.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

ridethecliche

iTrader: (2)

Take a break. Go ride your bike for fun.

You can still be a Fred and hang.

Also, it sounds like a lot of your issues have to do with positioning. Have you watched any of the sprinterdelacasa videos on YT?

EErockMiata

i still stand by my race a mountain bike comment. basically every single thing you've listed in the last 2 pages of posts are things i'm glad i don't have to deal with in mountain bike or gravel racing.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I go to the edges when I know the adults are going to attack or drop me on a climb, don't want to be in the way. Thanks for the link, will look at those for the day when I have the fitness to be there at the finish.

Right now a few of my friends are trying to get me to join their team for a 12-hour but I think it's a bad idea, will be the slowest in terms of fitness and bike handling. I really want to try a different tire. I still have the concern over getting lapped by the guy who won DK last year and pulled so I don't see much logic in joining the team or doing my own 4 hour race.

That last gravel race I did was scary. It was cool to get third but it wasn't exactly an A-race since anyone with an ounce of fitness was racing Dirty Kanza the same day.

EErockMiata

the reason to race mountain bikes is that even if you don't place well, it's a blast. it sounds like you're just taking things too seriously. Racing (all racing) is just 95% disappointment with 5% pure joy. If you're not enjoying the journey, you're in it for the wrong reasons. the 5% joy isn't enough to full fill anyone doing it.