starlight 2 seems decent enough. I might prefer a 2 hour version of it being the weekend and having a bit more time. Or I could do the starlight then join an easy group ride for another hour or so.
True, I guess I’m too much of a skeptic to take those statements at face value…
Yeah, I am making the assumption there is some good data in their rides. They have said they are doing decent volume for a few months now so it should be enough to get a reasonable idea of their fitness.
so sounds like the system gave you appropriate workouts then. Glad that got cleared up. 
because that is what you told the system……this isn’t a TR issue, it is a “data in” issue, compounded by you being an outlier.
I would just pick a few workouts that seem reasonable and start loading the system with good data and it will adjust quickly.
Heart rate is such a risky thing to include, because it is impacted so heavily by variables that TR cannot be aware off. The data is pretty poor generally (huge variety in HR monitor quality), plus temperature, hydration, fatigue (TR knows a little about this), sleep, etc. Overall I think not considering HR at all for adaptive training likely results in a better quality workout provision overall for TR users than if it did use it.
The simplest approach would probably be a data upload plus survey that seeds you to a certain set of PLs right at the start, then adjusts down as well as up. I’d have been best off around 3-4 PL rather than starting at 1, so that was also a frustration for me. That said, the new ML model sounds like it’ll improve things.
I’m not really sure what the point of PLs is for endurance and tempo TBH. The intensity of those sessions is better determined by your level of fatigue.
Just completed the 20 min ftp test. Result was 300avg and ftp 285w. I prob lost the 3 watts in the 5 min effort before the 20 min. So the ai detection was spot on for ftp.
One thing I noticed in this integration is that erg mode does NOT turn off in Zwift for any workout segments nor the 20 min effort. Have to turn it off manually.
Curious what your weight is (w/kg FTP) as your FTP is impressive as is for a new cyclist, but not super surprising given your athletic background.
83kg so 3.47 w/kg
Very solid. Sounds like you’ll be picking it up pretty quick with a lot of potential. Don’t overlook the cutback weeks. It’s easy to feel like they aren’t as necessary vs running since it’s low impact, but still very much needed.
Disagree. I think TR has already said they use HR data, but not to what extent. Sure there’s variance, just as there is with power data. Also, even if my HR data isn’t accurate, it’s consistency I care about anyway. Those other externals are factors, but “it’s hard” seems like a bad reason to not do something.
Think I read somewhere that FTP tests should be completed using the Zwift version for now
It’s not consistent. Power is a measure of output, 300w is always 300w. Heartrate is a response. The reasons for any heartrate value could be extremely varied.
Don’t get me wrong - it is useful to track as an individual or as a coach, and you build it in to the overall picture to help inform decisions… and therefore logically it could one day be considered by AI/ML, but we’re a long way away from that.
Would be good to get some insight from TR as to how if at all they use it, but I am very confident that adaptive training doesn’t consider it for any decision making.
Just think about it for a moment: TrainerRoad would need evidence that you have consistently worked out over the years and performed well. If you look at the workout history, do you see that reflected?
Your current numbers are good, but not exceptional in any way. Also here there is no sign (yet) for the algorithm that you have tons of experience.
How should TR know if you don’t tell it? IMHO you should still take it more slowly than you want and start with a bog-standard plan first, slowly ramping up intensity and volume. That’s the advice to cyclists that get into running: start ridiculously easy. In the converse direction you don’t need to be quite as cautious (for reasons mentioned already), but still.
Heart rate is a secondary metric in cycling (unlike running). TR’s algorithms do include heart rate to my knowledge, but in cycling the primary metric is power. Heart rate is a metric that needs context, much of the context is not contained in workout data.
I know this is getting a bit off topic, but I’m starting to question this, yes 300watts is always 300 watts, but the factors that affect your heart rate (illness, dehydration, rest e.t.c) don’t they also effect your ability to produce your threshold ? And if you were to do a FTP test on different days where your heart rate has been affected by these factors, you would have a different result from the test.
So the question is, yes 300 watts is always 300 watts, but as a output from a system that is affected by illness, dehydration, rest e.t.c which is visible by internal metrics like heart rate, is 300watts always the same % of the Threshold power
Meaning what exactly, in the context of training?
I could say 130 bpm is 130 bpm. So what?
Yes, but the question is what should you do about it? Moreover, fatigue can lead to increased or lowered heart rate. So it is not as simple as looking for elevated heart rate and then ramping down the difficulty of the workout (or the next workouts).
That’s precisely the issue: your threshold does not change quickly, so if you want to stimulate certain adaptations, you need to stick to the correct zones.
That’s not correct for heart rate as many factors influence heart rate. So 130 bpm at 70 % FTP means something different than 130 bpm at 62 % FTP. What it means precisely depends on the context. In my experience, heart rate is a strongly context-dependent metric, at least if you want to interpret it and react to it if necessary.
Except it isn’t that easy. You can shift some of the load from your muscular system to your cardiovascular system, which leads to increased heart rate.
Totally agree and I don’t know the answer, I’m just questioning the statement “300watts is always 300watts” and “a watt is always a watt”
I do all my Z2 on HR these days (talk test) and watts output at the same HR differ between morning and evening, producing more watts in the evening, so I would presume that if did a FTP test in the evening, or all my workouts in the evening AI FTP would see it differently, so my FTP result would be different, so 300 watts would be a different % of my FTP
Like say, not sure I have the answer and have a best answer, just questioning, and I don’t feel that ignoring HR because Watts are watts,
It seems like you have a decent understanding of training principles (not to mention talent) as evidenced by your 2:30 marathon from a few years ago. You probably know this already, but the bike is just different. I also came from running and at first I too felt like recovery days were a waste and way too easy, especially after marathon training. A “recovery run” that is easy is still harder than a recovery ride on the bike. As you mentioned, on the bike there’s times the heart rate barely hits what you would on a brisk walk. So I get where you are coming from.
All that said… it would be nice to hear what your goals are with this. Is it general fitness… a goal race… to get faster? As mentioned by many, and you know this, you need to gradually build into it, even if it feels easy at the start. It would help if you would be willing to post you calendar. You mentioned your marathon was a few years ago. Was there training between that and when you started 7-ish weeks ago that hasn’t been uploaded?
I know it’s hard to get the correct tone on the internet, but the vibe has been a bit critical (maybe that’s intended or I’m completely off here). But based on the limited data we have I can see how and why your training programmed the way you are. As already mentioned, without AI knowing how gifted you are as a runner, you are going to need to take the reins and dial it in.
I hope you stick with it. My biggest regret is that I held on to running way longer than I should have and didn’t find it sooner. Best of luck to you!
Nope the graph you see is what I’ve done. I moved due to work a few times and I couldn’t keep up a running plan at those mileage levels as the training always adds additional time than just training as you all know. A 2 hour ride/run and we have the setup before for nutrition, the stretch shower food rest after and it can be 3-4 hours if you workout and I couldn’t do that having to box stuff up and move.
I kinda like seeing time trials so I may try some of those but I’d need to get a tt bike so not sure how much I want to invest. All I really needed were shoes for a run not even any other clothes 
I think the main thing is just general fitness for now and see where I land after a few months. And lose these couple extra pounds.