We’ve had a bit of a natural disaster, and my A race (next weekend) has been cancelled. We’ll still be travelling - but not even 100% on the plans. Needless to say, my plan runs out with a recovery week the week after next.
For now - what is the best approach ito TR Planner setup?
Do I delete my A race and do some rides or runs wherever we go, which won’t add up to a 200k MTB event. And then wing the week thereafter before I kick off a new plan to next A race in Sept?
Is it better to rename current plan and simply extend it to Sept event, making the weekend holiday mode - travel days are already marked - and carry on from what I have? (Actually leaning towards this option)
Or are there something better I have not thought of to do? And yeah, the motivation is also a bit lagging, but that is quite a normal reaction, I presume.
I have searched, but only found treads from COVID times, and TR has made significant changes since, esp. this year.
Doesn’t have to be a race. You could also „recycle" your fitness peak for a challenge of any kind: got this climb you wanted to PR on for ages? Now is the time.
Personally I’d keep the plan as is and ignore the race (optionally do something else). This should still provide you with some recovery from the usually intense specialty phase. Once you feel recovered, start a new plan.
Problem is, there’s not many races around, let alone of that duration now. I’m in South Africa and we’re heading into winter.
Esp. with the unknowns of the weekend, which may force me to do more (and more tiring) trail running than riding, I might go for the "new plan after an easy/recovery week next week. Just let the plan run it’s course and start one for the next race.
FWIW: My understanding is that at the current point in time in my plan, AI looks only at data from actual uploaded activities irrespective of what had been in the plan, what the objectives of the plan are going forward, then adapts the plan accordingly. What I think that means is that at any point, I can edit my plan to reflect any future changes. Ai knows where I’m at based on all my prior activities, then adapt/optimize the plan to meet the new future objectives. I think the same basic thing will happen if I delete my current plan and start a new one.
I think any of these options would work. Just make sure that you take time to rest and recover before starting your next plan.
That recovery week isn’t just for recovering from the race; it’s also there because you’ve been training hard for a long time, and likely need some rest before getting back into training.
I am going to stick to this, and start a new plan after my recovery week. Esp. now that I know we’re going to the other side of Montagu and I can get to ride some of the Epic stages’ trails and climbs! I suspect I will need that recovery week if all goes to plan.
@Eddie On another note - some feedback on my AI training. Yes, I have also been one of those “stagnated” on FTP since my initial FTP when we moved across. At times it’s downright weird to see prediction behaviour.
BUT… I can literally now sit and cruise at a low HR in what would have been a sweet spot zone in end-Dec begin Jan when we moved to AI FTP. I had a session 2 weeks ago that I did comfortably and could rate (as expected/predicted) as moderate. It was 2x 20min in what would have been OVER my FTP at that time - it is now comfortable.
What do I struggle with? I have a front deraileur that does not work, so… I’m stuck in big blade up front. So any long threshold and VO2Max intervals become a horrible grind towards the final interval. I have obtained a Zwift click, so considering switching those workouts to non-ERG mode. Suspect that will take a couple of hits, misses and giggles, but at least I may be able to complete some then!
But despite some weird behaviour on the AI FTP prediction, I honestly can say the results are there to be seen - in training at least!
I run a Zwift cog in the rear and control the power through my garmin head unit resistance on the trainer. This basically gives me about 5 usable resistance levels between seated and 88 rpm for 130 watts to standing at 70 rpm for 310 watts, then 3 gears between. I have higher and lower as well through the resistance setting, but rarely need them. Just a thought.
