I did Cloudripper -2 today which is listed as a threshold 4.0 workout. I went in at threshold 3.7 so that should have been +0.3 on my threshold zone. However, after completing the workout, my threshold zone was still at 3.7, and the workout itself appears only as a threshold 3.6. What’s going on here?
Can you post the completed workout?
Like a screenshot?
What are you looking for?
The AL and was there a pause?
See how the screenshot @LacticacidMCB shared shows what the predicted vs. actual was for each zone? It would be nice to see yours to see if it predicted a 3.7 and you got a 3.7 or if it was different.
Yup on both counts. It predicted something different than I got. And there was a ~1 minute pause (bathroom) in the rest between first and second sets.
I know things like that didn’t used to make a difference despite the fact that I remember Nate mentioning on the Ask a Cycling Coach podcast that even small additions to the rest interval would make a difference. I guess the algorithm now accounts for that.
Which brings to mind another question: is there a setting where I can select if I need to get off the bike for a bio break during a recovery interval it can keep the workout going? I realize it will still be logging 0 watts instead of the 105 (or whatever) I’m supposed to be doing during that time, but at least the rest interval would remain the same length and then, theoretically, would be closer to target, despite the short period off the bike.
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That one minute rest is almost guaranteed to be the reason for the lower score. Funnily enough, it literally says so in your screenshot. The AI doesn’t grant any leeway with the scores: you take a break between intervals, it will reduce your score as you had more time to recover than originally planned for the workout. It makes sense and is in most cases a better reflection of your work, even if you personally do not like the outcome as the scores are lower and most likely also the prediction took a hit.
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I haven’t used this because I actually think it’s good that TR pauses and those pauses impact the workout, but have you tried turning off the “Pedal to resume/pause” setting? I wonder if it would keep the workout moving?
I don’t think this will help. The setting is primarily there to enable users to take a break during a workout simply by stopping to pedal and to continue by pedaling again instead of having to do this manually via the app. Yes, the workout would resume, but with 0s for power. It will still count as a break of sorts and lower the score as you didn’t perform the required power. This will be especially harmful if the break happens to cover an work interval and not a rest one.
In the end, all training data is a time series of data (power, HR, csdence, etc.). If the series doesn’t follow the requirements within a margin of error, the score will be affected. Having a range without data (as with the toilet break) or zeros (with the disabled setting and not manually pausing) will both cause this to happen. With the break you’ll at least run the following workout.
Small note: If you do your workouts outside or in Zwift, you can always „safe“ your score by doing additional work after the workout - basically adding another interval. In TR itself I don’t think that’s possible (yet?)
Thanks for the feedback, but I’m not sure I understand your comment. The question I was replying to wanted to know how to make the workout continue to run while they are off the bike. They want to get the zeros for the entirety of their bio break time. Are you saying it won’t do this? (Not arguing, trying to understand how it works)
Hah! It does indeed say that. In 4 years of using TrainerRoad, I had never spent much of any time looking at those screens.
All good, looks like I didn’t pay full attention to the previous messages.
All I wanted to point out was that even with the setting disabled and the workout continuing the outcome would likely be the same or worse. The workout will continue, but for obvious reasons without power. So the score likely still will be lowered.
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Without auto pause the workout continues with 0 as power input. It affects the score less as this makes rests easier but not easier and longer. I’ve turned it off since partial credit came around
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Thanks. And that’s what turning off the setting “pedal to resume/pause” does?
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Yes.
Edit: the side effect is that you have to click/tap “Start workout” manually as opposed to just pedal
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For sure, logging 0 watts for some interval off the bike would likely impact the score because of logging 0 watts for some interval instead of 105 or whatever I’m supposed to be logging. But in with the current settings, not only does it log those 0 watts, it’s also increasing the duration of the recovery interval for however long I’m off the bike. It’s a double whammy. Basically what @Savov7 said.
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