I've been hammering away on the trainer lately. Last week I biked more miles than ever (80 on the trainer so probably equal to 100 on the road) and swam more yards than ever (11,000++). I know the swimming is hurting my bike recovery, but for now it is what it is.
Until this last summer I'd never really biked. I hear all this talk of FTP's in the high 200's, 300+, pros at 400+. I'm competitive on the bike in the races I've done, but it's likely due to the level of competition and target audience of those races. I'm guessing my sprint type races are done right around 200 watts.
I don't have power so all summer I spent my time trying to train my rides around 22mph. I was able to do that much of the time on up to 50 miles per week. Now I have the trainer and the Kinetic power curve so can be a bit more scientific. For me one hour on the trainer at 18.5 mph is a pretty good effort and should be in the 210 watt range. Most all of my trainer rides thus far have been more of a sustained steady effort. I feel 230 watts on the trainer or 19mph (for an hour) would be pushing the limit pretty good and may be real near my FTP. I've done some one minute work at 21mph or in the 280 range and that is VERY difficult for me (5 x 1:00, 5 minutes spin rest). An FTP of 300 just seems like a complete pipe dream for me.
So my question is at 150# is 300 FTP realistic for me....ever? 300 watts seems to require an incredible amount of muscle to maintain. I'm 34, don't have unlimited time to train, am a born runner....etc. I also have pretty sever back issues that luckily don't bother me even in an agressive position. I will likely never bike a 200 mile week.
As a runner I feel biking and running are a bit different in that biking seems to require more pure muscle to make power. Maybe pure bikers are intimidated by the run like I am of the bike I don't know. I know I'm pushing pretty good in my races because my run is not near my open run times!
I'll stop rambling now :)
24 Hour World TT Champs-American record holder
Fat Bike Worlds - Race Director
Insta: chris.s.apex
Until this last summer I'd never really biked. I hear all this talk of FTP's in the high 200's, 300+, pros at 400+. I'm competitive on the bike in the races I've done, but it's likely due to the level of competition and target audience of those races. I'm guessing my sprint type races are done right around 200 watts.
I don't have power so all summer I spent my time trying to train my rides around 22mph. I was able to do that much of the time on up to 50 miles per week. Now I have the trainer and the Kinetic power curve so can be a bit more scientific. For me one hour on the trainer at 18.5 mph is a pretty good effort and should be in the 210 watt range. Most all of my trainer rides thus far have been more of a sustained steady effort. I feel 230 watts on the trainer or 19mph (for an hour) would be pushing the limit pretty good and may be real near my FTP. I've done some one minute work at 21mph or in the 280 range and that is VERY difficult for me (5 x 1:00, 5 minutes spin rest). An FTP of 300 just seems like a complete pipe dream for me.
So my question is at 150# is 300 FTP realistic for me....ever? 300 watts seems to require an incredible amount of muscle to maintain. I'm 34, don't have unlimited time to train, am a born runner....etc. I also have pretty sever back issues that luckily don't bother me even in an agressive position. I will likely never bike a 200 mile week.
As a runner I feel biking and running are a bit different in that biking seems to require more pure muscle to make power. Maybe pure bikers are intimidated by the run like I am of the bike I don't know. I know I'm pushing pretty good in my races because my run is not near my open run times!
I'll stop rambling now :)
24 Hour World TT Champs-American record holder
Fat Bike Worlds - Race Director
Insta: chris.s.apex