100% you should be. I just finished a podcast on this with WHOOP (to release this week) and one of the take home messages is that its really hard to get too much Z2. I’m just about to publish a blog on this too to show the science behind why that is case.
The problem is that usually we see the opposite issue. Most of us out there are ‘time-crunched’ athletes unable to afford the 1-2 rides like you, which are more optimal. So we more err on the shorter time end, especially in an onboarding situ. But once you get going with the longer stuff, the AI will catch up and recognize what you’re more capable of. Our time constraints features is also just about ready which will also solve this for others who are just onboarding…
I think you can do a lot without losing information or functionality: Reduce the symbols a bit, instead of the big “plus” for adding session a small one, the “workout wizard” actually is an edit/details functionality. Also I don’t care for my daily fitness/fatigue/form in the calendar.
Originally I meant during the onboarding process. But it doesn’t matter, I think people will mostly find their way around. I just have so many questions (What are differences of the various plans? How flexible is the plan? Does AI aim for some ramp/volume/intensity distribution? What if the compliance is bad because of longer rides outside? - You don’t have to answer these here, they are just examples.)
What is the idea of the test week? To get numbers and compare them later?
I did a 20min test not long ago, so I have these numbers. I will try the other test since these numbers are missing.
I do like the plans so far. I halfway know your research, so I knew roughly what to expect. I’m looking forward to trying out how it fits with my training.
The test week is important (we feel) because we want your training prescriptions to be precise. If you take a standard off the shelf plan, the prescription is usually pretty vague and the athlete could be anywhere in the intensity spectrum. By testing early, we can calibrate you in relation to your plan and get the training correct sooner rather than later. All that said, the plan and your zones update if we see you have more capacity than you originally declared (or tested for).
Importantly, due to the number of comments we’ve received on the test week and onboarding, we have removed the requirement for a test week to be inserted into a plan when you onboard into Athletica.
Apologies @Dougal.Doughnut. Indeed, the new features we’re implementing combined with an increase in users is putting strain on our system. We are now back up and running…
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Thank you!
Yes - its a well taken point and is relatively high up on our dev list. For now however historical import past the last week is unavailable. Nevertheless, in our subsequent test week we use our Quod et al. 2010 power profile test first created at the AIS and analyze your results in accordance with best practice power profiling.
Thanks and shall do. We have the first phase of historical downloads operational now so onboarding for new users includes history back to 6 weeks prior. More work to do to deliver immediate threshold and predicted fitness from that data but making progress.
Many months on, I thought it might be time for an update on our progress.
Latest releases now live addressing many of the key points made by the TR Forum team (thanks all).
New onboarding. Just a few steps to your plan.
2 wk free trial.
Automated 6 week historical upload from Garmin Connect when onboarding so you attain your current power/speed profile immediately.
New (less busy) UI
Duathlon plans now live
Based on comments I read elsewhere, note that the Athletica adapts the training irrespective of a ride done indoors or outdoors, or whether you run, swim, row, kayak, etc (so long as activity is recorded).
Not yet… but I’ll be starting the 2 week trial in the next couple of days to take advantage of their Black Friday discount. I’m mostly interested in what they propose for strength training, and I’m hoping that their platform independance for executing workouts is going to make the workouts easy to do outside.
@plaursen I have an A target on May 18th, and I laid out a plan for that. The ramp up starts right away, but I’d really rather not start in earnest until January. What would be the best way to tell the system I just want maintenance through December, or do I just ignore the workouts?
Trying it out now, and it looks interesting. Personally, I like the there don’t seem to be individual workouts in the plan that would destroy me, but it’s certainly given me plenty of load overall. I think I’ll have to do a couple of weeks to really have an informed opinion.
Hi @Jesse_Vernon1. Best practice for most cyclists is to do a ‘train-to-maintain’ phase until January (i.e., 6-8 weeks). You’ll find that in your settings (Races or Train-to-maintain). This ultimately keeps you in the base phases, which, I agree shouldn’t destroy you but allow you to hold onto your aerobic fitness. When the time is right in January, reset your plan for that race.