Following the Xert Adaptive Training Advisor Outdoors
A lesson in following a plan on variable terrain and conditions.
Here’s the list of Recommendations from this morning’s Xert Adaptive Training Advisor. You can find yours on the “Training” sub-menu of your Xert Main page.
Let’s break this information down, line by line…
Starting Off in an Xert Training Deficit. Points is Points.
I started off Tuesday with Bold Ambitions, but honestly, and this is now kind of rare for me, I ran into a ton of technical issues that ate into my time, and led me to less than half the recommended XSS points for the day.
Let’s review, and then look at what I DID do on Tuesday.
This entry is the part a deep dive into the Xert Training Advisor, including discussion of a thoughtful way to work with Points.
I’m Back
Technology, Application, Attention, Success Hey everyone— After roughly three years where I lived two person’s lifetimes, lost a business, lost a home, almost lost a second marriage, got out of debt, and moved from Dallas, TX to Reno, NV, and spent a year here just…riding and living, it was time to start sharing and discussing […]
Performing 8-Second “Zoomies” with 6-Second Recoveries to Achieve Fitness Breakthroughs
This is a short video of several clients at the studio performing Intervals called “Zoomies”. Zoomies are 8-second intervals, with just 6 second recoveries. We performed FORTY of these in 3 sets. The goal is to ride the 8 second intervals at a relatively high intensity, maybe 150-200% of Threshold. Then the cyclist spins through a short recovery. I used it on Tuesday, and multiple cyclists achieved breakthroughs on Xert. I’m using it today as well, to similar effect.
Here’s how to make them work for you.
Afraid To Suffer, Part Two: Breaking Through
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 concept 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.
Afraid to Suffer, Part One
“I’m not getting any better!” (You don’t know how to Suffer!) I HATE that statement. “Better” is a completely loaded term. It implies perception over analysis, and it’s my job as a coach to be a shrink, a cheerleader, a gentle critic, a cajoler, and an overall positive influence. But what is NOT my job, […]
Four Weeks
A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY XERT On April 25th, 2018, I received an email from a past client. Joe had mostly come to the Cycling Center Dallas Studio for weekend FLASH rides, when the weather was too poor to ride outdoors. He was always a good cyclist, but beyond the 2 hours here and there, […]
MMP (Mean Maximal Power) Breakthroughs Galore in April!
Testing for Mean Max Power (MMP) I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while, so apologies that it’s a few weeks late. However, our training in March and April led to multiple Mean Maximal Power Breakthroughs, and I wanted to write about this. Mean Maximal Power is defined as the “Highest average power” […]
Updating the OLD Xert Garmin Fields With the NEW Xert Garmin Fields – A Video Tutorial.
Unfortunately, I’m posting this a few weeks late. Another update to Xert fields has already rendered this video somewhat obsolete. It’s still a great demonstration of how to get into the old Xert Garmin fields and update them. It also shows what the Garmin Xert Field displays now provide. In Summary: In early March, Xert […]
Why We Still Look at Heart Rate
One of the old standards is Heart Rate. For decades, Heart Rate was a practical way to measure intensity. It could also be used to measure recovery, hydration, and fatigue.
We cannot look at wattage alone. We have to look at wattage as an extrinsic force. When we look at heart rate, this is an intrinsic force. Both bring value.
Here’s an example:
[caption id="attachment_1288" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Looking at Wattage and MPA only, this cyclist did not work too hard.[/caption]
This cyclist was given a workout of 60 minutes. The main set of intervals were 2 minutes long, with one at the end which was very intense and would hopefully yield a breakthrough per Xert.
If we look at the wattage chart alone, it shows a successful workout. MPA dropped, then rose, and the final interval yielded a CLOSE CALL, but not quite a breakthrough. Watts followed the load very closely.
However, when heart rate is revealed, it shows something more.