Help me understand TR's AI FTP

[Gwydion]

Hi, I’m in my first couple of months of my first TR training plan (gravel climbing) and have some questions to understanding how the FTP is meant to work.

I skipped the base phase (user error) and started in the build phase with an AI detected FTP of 215. This was after a long break over the summer, where Wahoo ramp test had set it at 249.

215 felt pretty spot on for coming back, but I feel I got fit again quickly and was looking forward to the TR message saying the next AI FTP measurement was in x days. I was about 2 days out I think, when the Speciality Phase started which immediately disabled the AI FTP measurement (so that countdown was irrelevant!).

So, am a bit confused whether I should replace one of the speciality sessions with an FTP ramp test, or whether I should keep the scheduled sessions for the next three weeks? Or maybe manually re-enabling the AI FTP during Speciality is also an option.

Recommendations?

[kevistraining]

With TrainerRoad your workouts can progress in two ways - your FTP increases and/or your workout levels increase.

I think TR believe that during speciality the best way to progress is via workout levels alone.

If you feel that the workouts are productive I’d leave your FTP alone for now.

Personally I never want to do a ramp test again

[Gwydion]

Thanks, that helps a lot. Yes, the first speciality workout yesterday was hard to very hard, so ok for me to stay at that level.

[kevistraining]

Just out of interest what workout was it?

[Gwydion]

Teutonia.

Here it is in context:

[kevistraining]

Looks ok to me

[eddie]

I agree – things look solid to me.

These next 2.5 weeks of Specialty will be really productive. Once you get through them, you’ll likely see a decent fitness boost.

I’ll probably never do another ramp test again!

Just shout if I can help out with anything down the road!

[Gwydion]

Thanks, that’s reassuring. Impressed with TR and also this forum