Greetings to the forum. Like the majority here, I am looking to improve performance without entering into the realm of paralysis by analysis. I'm a 54 year old male, 5'10" 167 lbs, BOPer. I have three 70.3s and one IM under my belt over the last 3 years. I'm currently training for IMAZ 2019.
Over the course of the last 22 weeks I have half-ass paid attention to the "Training Status" on Garmin Connect, using TP Fitness/Fatigue/Form to loosely guide me. I say "loosely" because I have only opted to skip training in the past due to how I felt, not what TP (or Garmin) says.
During this time frame Garmin's Training Status has vacillated between, Recovery, Maintaining, and Productive, with varying levels of fatigue felt on any given day. This prior weekend I had my long bike ride (4 hrs) on Saturday, and my long run (1h50m) on Sunday. I felt fantastic on my bike, with plenty of energy after 4 hrs. I felt moderately fatigued during and after my run, but not overwhelmingly so. Come the end of the weekend my 7-Day training load appeared to be consistent over the last several weeks, showing neither a significant upswing or downturn in training volume, but Garmin's Training Status now showed "Unproductive." Garmin's explanation of "Unproductive" says my training load is good, but my fitness is decreasing. Based on how I feel physically, I experience varying levels of fatigue (duh, I'm training for an Ironman for crying out loud), but my bike and run fitness are steadily improving. We won't talk about my swim, which is a wet train wreck.
I don't plan to change my training based on the Garmin Training Status, however I am curious if it's something I should pay more attention to. I'm interested in input/experience on this subject.
Thanks in advance.
"I drank what?!?!" - Socrates
Poor Swimmer. Weak Cyclist. Slow Runner.
TriDot Ambassador / Sacramento Triathlon Club
Over the course of the last 22 weeks I have half-ass paid attention to the "Training Status" on Garmin Connect, using TP Fitness/Fatigue/Form to loosely guide me. I say "loosely" because I have only opted to skip training in the past due to how I felt, not what TP (or Garmin) says.
During this time frame Garmin's Training Status has vacillated between, Recovery, Maintaining, and Productive, with varying levels of fatigue felt on any given day. This prior weekend I had my long bike ride (4 hrs) on Saturday, and my long run (1h50m) on Sunday. I felt fantastic on my bike, with plenty of energy after 4 hrs. I felt moderately fatigued during and after my run, but not overwhelmingly so. Come the end of the weekend my 7-Day training load appeared to be consistent over the last several weeks, showing neither a significant upswing or downturn in training volume, but Garmin's Training Status now showed "Unproductive." Garmin's explanation of "Unproductive" says my training load is good, but my fitness is decreasing. Based on how I feel physically, I experience varying levels of fatigue (duh, I'm training for an Ironman for crying out loud), but my bike and run fitness are steadily improving. We won't talk about my swim, which is a wet train wreck.
I don't plan to change my training based on the Garmin Training Status, however I am curious if it's something I should pay more attention to. I'm interested in input/experience on this subject.
Thanks in advance.
"I drank what?!?!" - Socrates
Poor Swimmer. Weak Cyclist. Slow Runner.
TriDot Ambassador / Sacramento Triathlon Club