I have pondered whether I should post this question, because something similar has been posted many times before!
However, I am frankly at my wits end, and before I do something drastic I just wanted to get a second opinion(s).
Background:
My rest / nutrition / sleep / non-workout stress, is all managed well, and nothing in that respect has changed, I am confident in discounting all of that as causing my problem.
FTP History
Pre-Sept - 2019 - Time off bike following AG Worlds to focus on Marathon running
Sept - 2019 - 256w Ramp Test [SSB1]
Nov - 2019 - 262w Ramp Test [SSB1]
Dec - 2019 - 268w Ramp Test [SSB2]
Feb - 2020 - 273w Ramp Test [Long Distance Tri Base]
May - 2020 - 254w Ramp Test [plan-builder Long Distance Tri Base]
Aug - 2020 - 222w Ramp Test [plan-builder Long Distance Tri Build]
Spet - 2020 - 202w Ramp Test
My workout compliance has been good (not-prefect but solid) see below.
So from May, I have had a long slow decline.
I have preserved as long as I think I can with the whole, A ramp test is a ‘snapshot’ and you cant fail etc, but, theres a decline over time and I need to put a stop to it.
Workout Compliance
Before the decline I was completing ALL workouts solidily.
At about the time of the decline I started to struggle with all workouts.
More recently I have been feeling very good with sweet spot and long sustained workouts my Vo2max efforts have been a struggle, and compliance at approx 70%
Observations
Now whats odd about the latest Ramp Test of 202w is I was completing the SS workouts fine at 222w so was expecting a bump of my usual ~2% (when things are going well)
Outside I have been setting 1min / 2min / 3min yearly PR’s, despite struggling with workout compliance at times with Vo2max workouts.
Finale
So what do you guys think I need to do, to stop the decline.
Or
What do you think are the issues.
I have even carried out a comparison between my PM and trainer to make sure there is no issue there etc.
Plans
I was going to start again with SSB1
I have three options as I see it:
(1) Do nothing, accept the latest Ramp Test result, and progress my SSB1 plan.
(2) Fudge my FTP figure, but use a different figure for Vo2max / SS.
(3) Sack off TR completely look elsewhere, which, might give me a new / different training stimulus.
Sorry for the long post, but, frankly I don’t know what to do for the best.