Ok, I posted this question before and got little in the way or responses. Probably because I wrote a book. So here's the short and skinny.
Lets say athlete A is capable of riding a hilly and challenging 1/2 iron course at 240 watts and still run real well off the bike. During this race he/she was not concerned with big efforts on hills and burned several matches, however finished up in good shape. Norm power was 248.
Take this same athlete and put them on a flat and fast 1/2 iron course. Should the athlete make a change to their pacing to accomodate this type of course?
For example, should the athlete try to keep a nice constant effort and average 248 (norm power) without burning matches? So they have a higher overall power, but it is all nice and steady.
Or, one person suggested actually lowering the wattage on a flat course as it is harder to keep the wattage up.
Or is a watt is a watt is a watt and 240 on a hilly course is the same as a flatter course.
Anything in between.
________________
Blogging
Lets say athlete A is capable of riding a hilly and challenging 1/2 iron course at 240 watts and still run real well off the bike. During this race he/she was not concerned with big efforts on hills and burned several matches, however finished up in good shape. Norm power was 248.
Take this same athlete and put them on a flat and fast 1/2 iron course. Should the athlete make a change to their pacing to accomodate this type of course?
For example, should the athlete try to keep a nice constant effort and average 248 (norm power) without burning matches? So they have a higher overall power, but it is all nice and steady.
Or, one person suggested actually lowering the wattage on a flat course as it is harder to keep the wattage up.
Or is a watt is a watt is a watt and 240 on a hilly course is the same as a flatter course.
Anything in between.
________________
Blogging