JB's Adventure Blog: After the Storm

After any storm the sky clears and the impact can be assessed. No, I am not talking about the Christmas wrapping paper, boxes, tags, unpacked bags and leftovers. I am thinking about testing.

How out of shape on in shape am I? And perhaps the real questions are what zones and type of training tweaks do I need to get back on the curb of the best I can be?

The answers to these questions invariably are skewed by a headache, some sore legs from the XC skiing or whatever. The lab-style of the FACT testing Hunter (Peaks Coaching Group) and I have gotten accustomed to does have some short falls too, but when it comes to lactate balance point it is usually very accurate, even if I am a little rusty, tired or whatever.

The FACT test is a standby and when combined with field testing it gives me the bull's eye I need to fire up my fitness.

In addition to the FACT protocol I do the the CP 60s, 5 min, 20 minutes: no better results than performance and my favorite sprints! No, I hate sprints unless I am sprinting for a real finish line.

SO. A challenge in and of its self; testing is as much a measure of determination and grit as it is of fitness! I better get another wicked iTunes playlist started.

Be sure to check back for the results here! I think I will wait until the weekend since the lifting and fix grear have me SO sore I am walking like an old cowboy!

Jeremiah

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 9:38 AM

Comments:

Hi Jeremiah, I´m fran and serious amateur MTB cyclist from Latin America, trying to reach my highest level in this sport competition, and I´m training with a PT on the road, and I was reading your comments and it will be great to know your ftp, or if you don´t want to publish it, at least your max 20 min and 5 min power numbers. THat way one can make and idea of how "far" or "close" I´m of reaching what I want :$

thanks a lot!

# posted by

fran : 3:41 PM

Hi Fran
I see you do some coaching too. ;)
it is a lot more complicated than that!
Because skill, muscular endurance and anerobic repeatability are so important 1 test is just 1/4 of what it takes to race at the top pro level. Killer instinct also cannot be taught!

7w/k for 5 mins max
6/wk for FTP
5w/K for FACT balance point.

That would put you at world class numbers and are about what I could do when I was 8th at world championships.

You should work with a Coach! Hunter Allen is one of the best and we have found the recipe!

My test will have to wait until next week i had to get a few good rides under my belt first!

Venga!
Jeremiah

# posted by

Jeremiah Bishop : 9:57 AM

Thanks a lot for your answer Jeremiah.
Well, I must say that you have my total respect with those numbers, they are amazing. As you said, those digits are not all. Technical skills, luck, having a good day, a lot of things could make up your race.
I think that Absalon should be arround 6.13-6.22. But that sounds incredibly huge for guys with a max weight of 70kg.
Even for a 6 watts/kg, you should be doing 410 watts with 68kg FOR ONE HOUR?!...

Taking the leap to road racing shouldn´t be too big with those figures ;)

Well, right now I do not have the money to pay for Hunter for being my coach. I will love to, but in the meantime, I´m coaching myself, with the book from him and Coggan, plus a lot of "hand picked" information arround the net and self experience.

BTW, how old ar you and at what age did you start racing (not riding, almost the same, but not ;) )?

Thanks a lot Jeremiah, and excuse me, for all the questions. It´s cool, to have a nice conversation with a pro MTBker.

bye

420/70

# posted by

fran : 7:07 PM

My pleasure what comes around goes around.
I said around 6 watts per Kilo. So yes my Field test power is close to that 410. Feild test power is usually 5%-7% higher than true LT remember.
My Fact BP is 5w/k when I am hot. And 7w/K is also Ball park but I have gotten just to that. As for Absalon I think he has high Lt for sure in that range that is why he has plenty of offers to race the pro tour. His skills are awesome and I think his recovery is one of his super abilities that no one talks about when they define there training goals.

Happy training. Jeremiah

# posted by

Jeremiah Bishop : 3:45 PM

After the Storm

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