Power File 4.27.09: Until Failure +3

I wanted to do 1-minute intervals today because I'm anaerobically challenged. So I decided to do crank them out at a couple of notches below eyes-bleeding intensity so I could do a fair amount of them, and then proceed "until failure." That occurred after the 8th one, about one hour into the workout. As I was ready to noodle home, it occurred to me that I felt at the end of that interval about the same way I feel at the end of a 60-minute race, when it's time to sprint but I typically have nothing left to give. "Until failure" is coming a little too soon. So I did one more. And then one more. And another one after that. They weren't as strong as the first 8, but I think that's OK. You can sprint in the first 1/3 of the race when you're still fresh, but it probably won't put you on the podium.

Comments

[cliff]

Thats what you have got to do. The power meter book has a great section on WHEN to stop. I think it says a 10% reduction.

[cliff]

p.76-77. for 1 minute intervals, they say that an average power drop of 10-12% is the breaking point; point of dimishing returns blah blah blah

[thewrobb]

OR..throw away the power meter and sprint to as many green signs as you see in one hour then go home. OR..wear your ipod and listen to some gangsta rap and sprint everytime you hear the phrase "bitches aint shit".

all the same

[Mike May]

I get the physiological component of diminishing returns. But there's a psychological aspect too, isn't there? There's got to be something about putting yourself through suffering in training that makes you more mentally prepared to commit to suffering in a race, even if the training suffering isn't yielding a direct training benefit.

What's' the Power Meter book? Coggan?

[cliff]

yes, Hunter Allen/Andy Coggan book: Training and Racing with a Power Meter.

I think you are talking about the ability to make yourself suffer, dig deeper, further intot he pain cave, discipline, doing stuff you don't feel like doing because it hurts. If you realize how much pain you can push through- you are more likely to do it in a race. It ups your MOJO. Don't throw away or sell your power meter like wrob did
My $.02

[Mike May]

Yeah, it's MOJO. Someone should make a MOJO meter. Bet Wrob would buy that.