Over-Unders vs 30/30s

[Day]

Hi All

I am doing the Sweet Spot Base 2 block at present and have noticed that whenever I get a program on Trainer Road which effectively is an over-under interval program it kills me. I have never completed a single over-under workout without having to pause the session at least 3-4 times and I run out of energy…I then crawl to the end of the workout before slumping off the bike absolutely knackered.

But when I do a short sharp interval program (today I did Taylor -2 which is 14x30 sec intervals with 30 secs rest - 3 blocks) I have to put the intensity up. Today I went up to 107% and then popped on an extended 30 mins of lower level riding at 65% ftp as still felt fine.

Can anyone explain to me why I am dying on one whilst simultaneously finding the other pretty easy?

Thanks in advance

[mcneese.chad]

A couple of existing discussions. I may merge this one when I have. Items time.

Are over-under workouts suppose to be this hard?

I was cramping pretty badly in my abdomen during the last section of tunemah. Had to close my eyes and let the power fall where it may, that’s how bad I was feeling. Anyways, I finished at 100% TSS. I didn’t fail, but I’m worried how will I be able to complete McAdie +1. Could my FTP be too high? heart rate was 98% of max. Very uncomfortable.

Struggling with over-unders in plan

Hi, I am finishing up SSB1 mid-volume. I have managed all the workouts ok except for the over-unders McAidie, Tunemah, Palisade & McAdie+1. I had either crashed and had to take breaks, or had scale the workout down to 95, 96, 97% etc only managing one or two intervals at the full 100%. I know these are supposed to be hard, but the seemed REALY hard. So my question is would I be better to repeat SSB1 in an effort to get better at this obvious limiter, or just forget about it and move on? My sea…

Over-Unders. Love 'em. Hate 'em

After doing Over-Unders (Palisade) after a break of over a year, I can safely say that this is one type of workout that I have this love/hate relationship with. From my experience, this is sort of thing that I tend to get biggest benefits from, but man… do they hurt! It’s not as much of a physical pain, rather than mental, particularly once you get to the 4th and 5th interval! Curious what others think of these type of workouts. [image]

[Captain_Doughnutman]

@Day

Can anyone explain to me why I am dying on one [over-unders] whilst simultaneously finding the other [VO2max] pretty easy?

Weird. I don’t remember writing that but it sounds just like something I’d write!

Yeah, go read about all the other peeps who have the exact same and very common issue.

There’s a lot to unpack for each strength and weakness…if you still have questions after you’re done reading, let us know.

[QuittingBikes]

@Day

But when I do a short sharp interval program (today I did Taylor -2 which is 14x30 sec intervals with 30 secs rest - 3 blocks) I have to put the intensity up.

It’s because Taylor -2 has a 0.83 IF, which is low for a VO2max workout.

Keep working at it. Absolutely do not let yourself touch that pause button on the next over/under workout.

[rocourteau]

There’s a pause button?

[PusherMan]

You might need to give it a couple of presses to get it to work…

[rocourteau]

No such thing on Win10 - anyways a) you stop, it stops, and b) you shouldn’t stop in the first place.

[PusherMan]

@rocourteau

b) you shouldn’t stop in the first place.