Note: If you haven’t read Part One, you can see it here.
Our story so far:
I met with this individual, after they signed up for Xert. I helped them program the head unit. I explained the concepts of Volume, Intensity, Frequency, Focus, and fitness breakthroughs.
For TEN WEEKS, this individual’s numbers JUST. KEPT. DROPPING.
I couldn’t figure it out. Until Finally, it dawned on me to try ONE MORE THING.
It’s all about the difference between Suffering and Suffering. And here’s how we made it work.
Too MUCH intensity, and NOT ENOUGH VOLUME, can affect overall fitness.
You can’t go HARD all the time. Sometimes – you have to go LONG. Suffer slow sometimes.
I prescribed MORE volume, in the “Green/Red” zone, on the days this individual was not in my studio. Working around the work schedule, we figured out how to essentially double capacity.
It took time, but JUST LAST WEEK, it finally clicked.
Interval One – BREAKTHROUGH.
Interval Two – BREAKTHROUGH.
Interval Three – BREAKTHROUGH.
Interval FOUR – BREAKTHROUGH.
Interval SEVEN – BREAKTHROUGH.
Prior Fitness Signature?
Peak Power: 487
HIE: 5.6
Threshold Power: 143
New Signature?
Peak Power: 485 (I’ve all but given up on this one, but work with me…)
HIE: 6.5 (14% improvement)
Threshold Power: 144
Now – I know this is NOT MUCH. But – it’s a start. And the fact is – this person has MUCH more ability than what the numbers show.
“FIT”ness comes from “Frequency”, “Intensity”, and “Time”. (FIT – get it? Good.)
But the light bulb switched on. It clicked. They finally “Got It”. Work the MPA using colored watts to pace yourself, and when slope or terrain changes, or intensity intervals change at the coach’s urging, GO FOR IT. Earn that breakthrough. It’ll help you. It’ll help me. It’ll help the system. You’ll learn how much more you can give of yourself, and when, and how long, and then work the recovery. Fitness is a game. Xert Fields on a Garmin head unit help you play that game.
When it clicks, watch out, because the cycling will become that much more fun. I don’t request breakthroughs every time. That’s impossible. Oh, I do love seeing people who have been in my studio for years, break through their plateaus, and achieve more.
And that’s the difference between Suffering and Suffering.
