Older/Experienced riders, Build or Hold FTP

Training
41

Pull out the dumb trainer in preparation

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42

At least the Tacx line will run without power, but maybe they should add a generator to power fans? There are researchers that are walking around mumbling that we are WAY OVERDUE for another Carrington level event, and the sun has kicked it up a bit, leaving damage in its wake. Several satellites were knocked out and long run power lines were trippedā€¦ Living with a star within 8 light minutes can be excitingā€¦

There is a poorly written book out describing what a Carrington event would cause, but itā€™s so wildly inaccurate that itā€™s not much of a recommended read, yet I jumped on the grenade to save humanity. :grimacing: (Aurora)

43

Itā€™s a good question, Iā€™m also a long time TR user and same power meters so Iā€™ve got consistent data gathering.

I experimented with simply higher time last year for the first quarter, 50% more time in the saddle, higher TSS - nada.

This year Iā€™m making hard days harder and easy days easier, as well as aiming at increasing overall load. No progress so far.

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44

Donā€™t forget Robert Marchand who increased his vo2 by 13% past 100yo. He beat his own 1h world record at 103yo.

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45

Got a PM at 43, hit all my power PRs at 50 during Covid. Now 53 and increased volume about 40% this year in preparation of the GF Marmotte and already huge improvement and likely to exceed those PRsā€¦training time, not age is my limiter

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46

Almost certainly the case for 99% of amateurs.

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47

Thats what im trying to fathom. doing 4 sessions a week with no benefit may just be making me tiredā€¦BUT what if just did a VO2 max, a tempo, and a long ride each week, and kept my FTP where it is.

Is the extra session worth it if my age is capping my FTP

48

Yes

49

Most likely you are more limited by time to train and recover, as well as nutrition, than age. 6 rides a week plus weights, totaling 15-20 hours is doable and will still have benefits into your 50s and sometimes 60s. Youā€™re still young enough to do this with good results.

1 Like
50

Maybe thats the key, ride more, but as a triathlete im trying to fit my 3 runs and 3 or 4 swims in. Plus a teaching job, which everyone knows is the hardest job in the world because we complain about it so much :stuck_out_tongue:

2 Likes