Ok, so I finally looked up what the rest of these other metrics mean, or estimate, and the software is definitely pulling in running power.
My FTP is just over half of the mFTP but my running power is typically in the 450~ range when I use Garmin’s Running power.
Last summer, TrainerRoad had no Forum; all discussions were on FB. The TR FB user group conversation remains active today.
Similarly, Tim Cusick, WKO product lead, recently disclosed on FB that they will be shortly launching a new customer platform.
There was Reddit, which was used quite regularly until this forum popped up. Also, support always answered my questions so crowd-sources support wasn’t necessary. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I just can’t understand how anyone can remain on Facebook. How much abuse can people take before they’ll give it up?
TrainerRoad had a Reddit back then, and it’s still active.
Yes, now I recall Reddit. I didn’t find it had much so I relied on TR FB prior to this Forum (which I think is great).
Given the value of the TR Forum, I’m looking forward to what TP/WKO has to offer. Tim has hinted at more than just a discussion group for functionality, but we’ll see.
FWIW: For a while, I was active on both TR FB and TR Forum. I made a couple of suggestions to others to move the dialogue to the Forum, including links to the threads. But old habit sometimes don’t seem to die.
From a customer support standpoint, I have found both TR and TP to be excellent.
I got an email offering an additional 14 day extension. It’s possible they’ve realised the trial just isn’t long enough given the beta quality right now.
Mike
You can file a support ticket and ask for another trial.
Yes - I flagged this on the FB group. As of the update last week, it pulls in running power for mFTP and VO2max etc. I mean, I like the idea of having a 400 FTP, but for cycling, not running…
Yes. Quite likely judging by FB user posts. WKO4 has been stable for so long that TP/Tim may not have the experience of the potential user questions/issues, perhaps due to lacking a formal Beta Test program. In this area, TR is doing a great job with its Beta program. The most recent TR beta software release was full of holes/bugs. But the staff was great at responding ultimately leading to a solid public release.
However, skipping the trial and going straight to purchase was a no-brainer for me for multiple reasons:
With each passing day, I get more frustrated with WKO5. I want to like it. I really do… but I cannot for the LIFE OF ME, figure out this interface and why (on the Mac), sidebars always slide in/out. How do I keep stuff static on the desktop?
Signed,
Angry in North Carolina
It’s not great is it.
You have to pull the sidebar out until you can see everything to stop it popping out. Once you’ve done that I’m not sure there’s a way to collapse them fully. I much preferred the old way with the show and hide buttons up top.
Mike
Does anyone have experience running WKO5 in a VirtualBox on Linux? I have a Macbook but would prefer to use a desktop computer.
Of course I probably should poke around in Golden Cheetah anyways since I already have that installed.
Yeah WkO5 is disappointing at best. I find myself using Golden Cheetah and Intervals.icu now more.
I have not found a way to hide the side bars. Only bring them out so they don’t jump around like a crazy person.
nothing wrong with WKO4…
4 is a bit slow for me on my laptop
I’ll probably stick with WKO4 until they have a cloud based solution, or someone builds a better mousetrap.
I am sticking with WKO4 for now.
TP normally have an offer around Thanksgiving - Black Friday and I will see if it is better than the current upgrade price.
Potential WKO5 user looking at determining whether this is worthwhile purchase;
I have TP Premium, I have TR Analytics.
My current workflow is to really 1) calendar build at a macro level first, figure out key races etc., and then build and schedule plan around it. From there I then begin to tweak plans and calendar dates around to ensure I am hitting form in the right spot or not being overtrained right before key dates.
I use TR plans 95% of the time, base, build, spec, playing around in TR calendar, and then manually build those out in TP calendar so that I can look at CTL/ATL for key dates.
Then as I begin to execute the plans I am using combo of TR analytics or TP analytics to see where I am power curve wise vs prior periods/years to track progress.
Not all the sexy.
My Questions:
A) What of the above will WKO5 allow me to do? Can you do the calendar build etc. to get the forward looking CTL/ATL.
B) When it comes to modelling and analyzing intervals, what am I going to be getting out of that data which will help me tweak the already created plan to get the most out of my abilities?
for anything beyond today/tomorrow (part of TP Basic/Free), you probably want TP Premium or a coach provided plan in your library. In WKO4 it is possible to add future workouts with TSS/work/etc and see future PMC stuff, but the workflow is tedious (one at a time). Just tried that and it worked, but syncing to TP Basic/Free they don’t appear on app.trainingpeaks.com and hence if you want to do planning you are going to get frustrated without paying for TP Premium.
WKO4 introduced optimized intervals, primarily for working above threshold. You would use that data to modify TR workouts (primarily vo2max workouts).
I have TP premium and as you mentioned you have to add that one at a time manually to build out the year. This is why I use TR first (used to be excel) for the purpose of macro planning and then input into TP. If the workflow is the same for WKO5 as you described then that is fine.
My big driver is while TR gives you a good rolling TSS average it’s hard to get down to the daily level where you are at. I know I race better with a bit of stress in the legs (form -8-10) so I can target specific days in advance of an event to do this without being to over stressed.