Training for Time Trials

[mudmucker]

He calls it the CTS (Carmichael Training System) field test and I'm sure it's the same. Yes it's 2x8's or a 3-mile and taking the average. He says (from empirical data) that this average is usually just slightly above lactate threshold and claims it is very close to a person's lab tested lactate threshold. The information in your book is probably similar. What I like about the Food for Fitness book is that he explains how to eat, the way fuel usage changes as intensity increases and helps you to apply it to your own training and nutrition. He ties this all in, including nutrition, with periodization.

In answer to your PM, I have found that it was a little harder to find my "spot" in the very beginning of the season when I did the test. I don't train to race and I typically don't train regularly for biking come late fall through early winter but just do other things. So in early spring when I start up, it it takes a few runs, like maybe the first 5-7 rides to get that groove back with bike fitness. It's then after that the number that I achieve from the test actually works out well. I keep a close eye on it and if my AHR is higher along with a difficult perceived effort for a particular ride I feel it later in terms of fatigue and/or recovery so I tend to trust it.

Then of course there are those days riding when your body revolts and doesn't want to do things as well as the day before. Or I can leave feeling really crappy and have a great ride. In these instances I do trust the number and sort of hold to it. If I'm doing hill intervals I ignore everything and go by how I'm feeling. I'm usually surprised how my body responds and I see improvement by sometimes, 2 rides later.

As an athelete I know my body well though. So I'm of the opinion that I'd ignore what others say about you working hard enough.