Yesterday, my plan had me doing an anaerobic workout (this are basically sprints?) This is the first such workout I’ve been recommended so I’ve done absolutely zero training at that level. I was unable to hold high intensity for the recommended time which didn’t surprise me. You’ve got to train that intensity to succeed at that intensity. At the end of the session, after I’d filled out the survey, the program suggested a drop in my FTP of 4 or 5 points. I’d just nailed a VO2 max workout 2 days earlier and a threshold workout 2 days before that and was feeling good with my FTP.
I’m curious about whether I am misunderstanding training in general. Even though I’ve never trained anaerobic zones, should I be able to hold such a zone for 45 seconds or a minute immediately? I thought, like with any other progression, you train at 15 seconds with a certain amount of rest, then the next workout 30 seconds with less rest, etc. Are anaerobic workouts a different animal completely?
anaerobic work, if done enough, does begin to affect FTP. this is a good recent vid where Tim Cusick (who does great education) explains a bit about this https://youtu.be/82yws_2_KTY?si=zs5dywt9XohVRWIh
that said I wouldn’t trust what the recommendation gives you, I think you have to do a lot of anaerobic work for that to have a real effect. the level of sensitivity TR is giving to FTP is a bit ridiculous
I took a look and this decrease was an FTP Adjustment due to “failing” (not being able to hit all of the workout’s power targets) the Anaerobic 1.5 workout.
Unlike AI FTP Detections, these are adjustments triggered when necessary to keep your training on track. Accepting an FTP adjustment won’t affect the 28-day timer linked to an FTP detection.
These FTP Adjustments normally happen on Specialty Phases since we don’t run AI FTP Detection there, but FTP decreases are unique in that they can also occur outside of the Specialty Phase.
In this instance, if you fail a level 2.0 workout and your Post-Workout survey response for that session is marked as “too intense” or “training fatigue”, AI FTP Detection will suggest to decrease your FTP by 2%. As I mentioned, this small change in FTP is meant to help get you back on track with your training, and set you up for success in your future workouts.
I would look at this as a 4 to 5 watt calibration nudge to your FTP to improve alignment across all zones.
One tough anaerobic day does not outweigh multiple strong threshold and VO2 max performances. Give it a few exposures as you’re new to them. You’ll be surprised how quickly those efforts become manageable once your body learns what’s being asked of it.
It makes sense. I took a look ahead at my training plan and I’ve got a bunch of VO2 max and anaerobic workouts upcoming. It looks like some have shorter intervals than I had yesterday so, hopefully, I’ll be succeeding at least one anaerobic workout someday! I’m not really worried about the ftp decrease since mine isn’t that high anyway! Thanks for the info
I’m not really worried about the ftp decrease since mine isn’t that high anyway! Thanks for the info