I’ve been using TR for over a year and have made zero FTP gains according to AI FTP. My durability is definitely higher, but my FTP isn’t. Yes, it’s strange.
What do folks think about doing an 8-12 week base training phase instead of the standard recommended 4-week base training phase? I don’t have any planned events, and I’m just trying to improve my speed while enhancing my overall fitness. Plus, the weather’s nice, so I can do a bunch of endurance riding outside before winter comes.
8-12 week base is pretty standard for traditional prioritization (think of a high school cross country team running over summer break for the fall season).
As for not improving FTP… There is more to fitness than FTP, as you mentioned. Your “durability” is much better. Things like holding pace longer, taking shorter recoveries, etc. are just as important in the big picture. But why has you FTP not increased? We would need to see more. Can you post a link to your calendar?
Other factors such as age and training history are also just as important. As I am getting older I find that I more holding on and trying to slow the decline than anything else. All that said, if the weather is good and you want to ride outside… Go for it. Bring that added base and fitness into the interval sessions this winter!
Hey @ddetch 
Can you send me over DM your username so I can take a look at your account?
It’s JDM
12 weeks is the standard in TR when you do a complete training plan. It’s usually 3 blocks of 4 weeks. Within each block are 3 work weeks and one recovery week.
I’ve had the 12 week base shortened but only when my second A event is a few months after my first A event.
Is it possible you’ve been focused on widening the base but need more focus at the pointy end? I’m not sure what your training history looks like, but I’ve seen coaches recommend a VO2 block when athletes are stagnating. There’s a lot of “if’s” in there though, and as Caro mentioned maybe you just need more training consistency? Or maybe you’re an older athlete who should be focusing on slowing deterioration instead of looking for increases?
I’ve just been following the training plan that TR has given me. I think my consistency is generally good, but maybe not? For my last 3-month base/build/speciality block set to “Increasing FTP,” outside of a 6-day vacation where I did zone 2 jogging, I did all of my prescribed workouts. I did most of my hard intervals (2x/week) on the trainer to ensure I hit them right.
AI FTP said my FTP was 218 at the beginning of the block, 217 in the middle, and 216 a week after ending. I’m in my late 40’s as well.
I finished a 2-week break from structured training and started a new base phase today!