tmctguer said:i just completed a Functional Threshold Power test as described in "Training and Racing with a Power meter" by Allen & Coogan. My watts were 280, so taking 95% of that equals 266 FTP.
i am 50 years old, a recreational cyclist, about 170 lbs (77kg), and ride approx. 75 - 125 miles/week.
are there any off-season workouts i should be focused on to improve my FTP? i see lots of posting about Level 4 rides and 2x20's.......based on what i've read in Allen & Coogan's book, i should be focusing on workouts at about 90% of my FTP, or about 240 watts.
am i on the right track? I would appreciate any feedback on how to spend the next few months on my trainer during the week and on the road on Sat's & Sundays.
i have no desire to race -- only to continue to develop as a good recreational cyclist.
thanks.
Along with the above suggestions, which are all good. Make sure you
also incorporate plenty of cadence work, so that your muscles do not get used to just droning along at 80-90 rpm. If you have 1-2 cadence focused workouts per week, where you do fast pedaling intervals, short bursts, and generally change cadences a ton, that will help when it's time to get back out on the road this spring. Here's a workout that I prescribe quite frequently.
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cadence drills--- 35minutes fast warm-up with Cadence in 90-95 range, then do (10) 1 minute on, 1minute off High pedaling cadence efforts. Cadence over 105 for ON, 85 for off. Don’t worry about HR’s, just Cadence.
Then 5minutes easy, and then do (2) 5 minute efforts trying to get HR to 165 and hold there. Keep cadence at 100rpm. Don’t worry about speed. This is about improving your cadence at LT, not about going the fastest... Build it up, so you don’t blow. Rest for 3minutes between each . Finish with 6 more one minute on and off cadence drills- 105 and 85. Cool-down.
Hunter