Blowout effort definition

Triathlon Forum
1

I am translating the definition of “Blowout effort”.

In general terms is it correct to interpret this as basically a few minutes effort (2-5 minutes) done at 100% threshold watts?

Thanks beforehand.

Sergio

2

If you’re referring to the Allen/Coggan FTP test from TRWP (which Dr. Coggan attributes to Allen), I read blowout as a maximal effort for 5 minutes i.e. much greater than threshold.

3

If you’re referring to the Allen/Coggan FTP test from TRWP (which Dr. Coggan attributes to Allen), I read blowout as a maximal effort for 5 minutes i.e. much greater than threshold.

In the “Level 4” Ride “B” a “Blowout” in T&RWP is stated as "5 min 100% "

Other sources:

In a workout found in Training Peaks: “Then do yor blowout effort at threshold watts for 5 minutes”.

J. Walters: “Then do a 5 minute blowout (if wattage, work your power up from upper tempo to FTP)(if HR then mid to upper zone 4)”.
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Boulder Performance Network: “Then do a 5 minute “blowout” effort in zone 4”.
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“Blowout” effort sounds as if it should be a maximal effort as you stated, but it apparently is not. It is clear that I have to chose the best wording for the translation.
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Sergio
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4

100% FTP. It is pretty clear in the Training and Racing with Power book.

5

100% FTP. It is pretty clear in the Training and Racing with Power book.

You are right - in the workout section of the book “Blowout” is 100% of FTP. Not sure why this was even a question since the tables do clearly state 100% FTP.

My bad assumption was that the OP was referring to the hard 5 minutes between the easy warmup and the 20 minute all-out in Allen’s FTP test. I have heard lots of folks refer to that as a “blowout effort”, but upon examination, the book doesn’t call it blowout.

6

I think you are correct. The section titled “Threshold Test” on pg. 50 indicates you should hold the highest possible for 5 minutes. It also discusses level 5, which is not FTP. I would consider that a blowout.

5 minutes at FTP is referenced on pg. 65 as a warmup for the power profile test. That would not be a blowout as FTP is supposed to be a power you can hold for 1 hour. 5 minutes of it wouldn’t be much.