I have recently started “General Masters Low Volume Base”. I just completed my race season, and was looking forward to more chill sessions and building my aerobic engine. However, Adaptive Training is starting me with 3 “stretch” sessions (Vo2, Endurance, and Threshold) from the gun - week 1. I assumed I’d be doing “acheivable” maybe “productive” sessions, but not sessions that I was already doing in the “specificity phase”. Is anyone else dealing with this issue??? Or is Base supposed to crush me with stretch sessions. PS: my “A” race is in April 2025.
I did go to TR Support but that was useless. One support person agreed it was excessive, but the response was “use alternative workouts.” Thank you TR. Looks like I am going to build my own plan while … wait for it … paying $$ for Adaptive Training.
Clearly Adaptive Training AI has greater belief in your abilities than you. I don’t understand what you expected: if you are served harder workouts than you think you can handle, you choose a easier alternative. What other options are there?
AT is constantly updated. With early versions I ran into issues when my PLs were reset after a training break, and I had to constantly override the system until I got to a PL that actually corresponded to my abilities. Sounds like AT is now trying to do that, too.
I’d just trust it and try. Even if the workouts are too hard, it’ll see that right away and adapt your training plan accordingly.
I wouldn’t call that useless its reasonable advice, modding your first couple of workouts until the system gets to know you better and can adapt appropriately. If it continues in the longer run contact support again you might have a bug.
We’ve been looking at the workouts on your TR Calendar to see what’s up. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening with each workout:
Endurance session (Thursday, 9/12):
Your recent performance and workout survey responses have led Adaptive Training (AT) to increase the difficulty of your Zone 2 workouts a bit faster than usual. AT has recognized that you’re capable of handling more challenging sessions, so your plan is adjusting to better align with your current fitness level.
Threshold session (Saturday, 9/14):
It seems your plan found a gap in our workout library, which we’ve just addressed. Currently, your Threshold Progression Level (PL) is at 1.0, and the plan is calling for a 90-minute Threshold workout. However, we didn’t previously have any 90-minute Threshold workouts at Workout Level (WL) 1.0.
To fix this, we’ve created several new workouts to fill that gap. Here are a few alternative options you can now select:
VO2 Max session (Tuesday, 9/17):
Similar to the Endurance session, your recent progress and survey results have signaled to AT that you’re ready for more challenging VO2 Max workouts. As a result, the system has increased the difficulty of your VO2 Max sessions a bit faster than usual.
I wouldn’t say your Base plan is trying to “crush” you—AT has simply recognized where your fitness is at right now and adjusted your workouts accordingly. Go into these workouts well-rested, fueled up, and with a positive mindset and I’m sure you’ll be the one doing the crushing.
I hope this helps clear things up. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to let us know!
And this is a recipe for disastor. I just came off of my race season, with loads of Vo2, races that I pushed to the limit, and now I am starting to prep for 2025. Plan Builder has me at 3x hard sessions a week. I’m 47 years old, needing a mellow base season, IOW, there is a context that a bot does not take account of (that a coach would). For all of those who wanna say HTFU, I know how to reach my potential w/ a 335w FTP and Cat2 rider, but I also know what’s too much for my body.
You could also go with a low volume Masters plan that’s only 2 intense days per week. You can reduce it further by changing one intensity day to an outside solo ride and noodle along.
So BASE is supposed to look similar to the Speciality plan I literally just wrapped up? Yeah, this is why I had a coach for my 2024 season instead of a AI- and it was successful. Thought I would hop on an actual TR plan, or get constructive feedback. Would be great to hear on the podcast why 3x hard intervals during BASE is a good thing for a Masters athlete.
Are you on a master‘s plan? When you create a training plan, you should check the master‘s plan option. This will limit you to (up to) two hard intervals per week.
Traditional Base LV or Polarized Base LV might have a mix of rides more in line with what you are looking for at this stage of your preparation for 2025.
But I still stick with my earlier comment “Just ride Baxter 3 or 4 times a week, That will do it for a few weeks”
