Yep, it’s certainly not an ideal metric for everyone.
I find it reasonably accurate, if I have correctly estimated my RHR. My max HR is quite stable and has been for years.
I feel the takeaway is you really need to look very long term. Are you progressing from year to year? If not, change is needed.
I suspect that with time poor athletes this metric could be rather disappointing. As, from my experience to see sustained improvement you really need to slowly increase your volume and distribute your training in a logical manner.
Once you’ve reached your weekly intensity ceiling and have done for some time, there’s not really much more that can be done.
Yep, that sounds exactly like my problem: Doing too much (volume or intensity) and not being used to it. Too bad I really like those long rides outdoor.
I made good experiences with this. But yes - super slow, especially uphill (difficult to comply with, my FTP is low compared to some here) and I live in a hilly region. Also 80km take forever in any case I feel much better during and after riding.
One thing I try and get across to people I ride with or coach, who cares how fast you’re going on training rides?? But there are those out there who literally won’t ride with you if you won’t maintain 20mph average on your ride. It’s so dumb… time in the saddle is what matters, not how far you go.
Yep, agree. Just can’t always force it when you are building to high volume. I think it’s one of those things that just kinda has to come around with time. Endurance pace when riding 10h/wk is going to be different than endurance pace when moving up to riding 20h/wk for a while for a lot of people.
The people I’m thinking of specifically (some locals) aren’t riding “zone 2”. It’s your typical every ride is too hard type Crew.
in any case I feel much better during and after riding.
