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Reading power when training
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How do you read power?

As you know it jumps all over the place.

So how do you determine how your holding power.

I currently have my garmin at 3 sec average

Any tips would be great

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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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I have one field set for 3s avg, and another set for lap avg. In training lap avg is set at 1 mile and in races it is set for 4 miles.

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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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I use a combo of 3SA and RPE. You get used to it
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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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Seek to control it- If you let yourself have this huge band, you will never learn to keep it even.
That said, it can help to have an interval screen that shows actual power and also average power for that interval.
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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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I have on one screen on my 520:

3 Sec P
AP
Power as Percent of FTP
TSS
IF and Cadence

Second Screen
3 Sec Balance
AP
NP
Cadence

I have been focused almost entirely on the first screen as a means of pacing
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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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3sec and lap power. Set Garmin to auto lap every 1mi or whatever.
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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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3s average shouldn't be jumping around too much. If you're keeping a steady cadence, I would expect the power reading to be +/- 10W at most.

But like the others said, 3s power, Lap average, and cadence help me keep things pretty smooth and feeling like I know where I am.



-Andrew
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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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surfNJmatt wrote:
How do you read power?

As you know it jumps all over the place.

So how do you determine how your holding power.

I currently have my garmin at 3 sec average

Any tips would be great

You should learn to pace by feel.
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Re: Reading power when training [Trev] [ In reply to ]
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It shouldn't be too jumpy at 3 sec. average. If you're using a Garmin, you can also set it to 10 sec., but I feel like that's too much smoothing IMO.

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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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When I first started with power I'd try to hold a specific power, which made it jumpier because you're chasing a moving target. Then I moved to trying to hold a specific cadence for a given terrain, which really smoothed out the power readings. Now I try and focus on a consistent leg tension/pressure. Try different things, you'll find something that works for you.
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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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I can't do 3/sec reading its to jumpy for me to, I use 10/sec readings and have never looked back.

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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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Im only using the PM for a 2 months. But I have both the 3s and 10s average. i use the 3s to aim for a specific power. The 10s i use to see if I need to push a little harder.

But it is hard, I need some more practise.
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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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10s power for "instant" power, avg lap power for intervals during workouts

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Re: Reading power when training [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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Here is my Garmin 520 display

Lap Time (or Workout Time Go Time)
Overall Time
3 Second Power
Lap Avg Power Cadence
Time of Day Heart Rate


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