Those are some impressive gains in power output at an endurance level. Inspiring for sure. I think for me improving Zone 2 endurance is rooted in health and metabolism first (I am a clinical exercise physiologist, rather than a sports focused exercise physiologist) and to just be able to get farther out there. Maybe some local races in the future which would dial in the training considerably. We have some inspiring rail trail networks that go on for hundreds of miles in eastern PA, so, it would be nice to crack out my first century this year hopefully. I think the endurance focus is going to be more of my plan moving forward too. I definitely don’t see myself going above sweet spot low volume plans here on TR, just adding in more Zone 2 in between those intervals. For periodization of your endurance rides, do you find that you just up the volume progressively as the season goes on? I am currently trying the sweet spot approach for base and then polarized later this season to allow myself to handle anaerobic and VO2 work. Can’t beat more endurance rides in the summer either when that time comes.
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