Xert Training Deficit

I like to ask myself – “What’s the ‘Fastest’ way to get to my XSS goal, while keeping FOCUS infinitely aerobic, and keep fat burning at or ahead of Carbs?

I set my trainer to ERG mode, and rode 190 watts the entire ride….

[caption id="attachment_12388" align="aligncenter" width="1827"]Xert Training Deficit 69 points Zone 2 base Today’s ride was about fat burning and XSS. I made my points for the Xert Training Deficit, and kept my needle between 11 and 1 o’clock on the Training Pacer.[/caption]

Xert – Adaptive Training Program

Xert – Adaptive Training Program

The Xert Adaptive Training Advisor and Training Pacer built me up to a higher level of preparation, for sure. This week, I will transfer over from “Build”, to “Peak” in the Xert Adaptive Training Program.

The Target Date is still November 14th. That’s when Tracy and I will attempt to summit Truck Route 341 yet again – this time, with a breakthrough in the 20-25 minute range in mind. I’m not worried about time. We both just want to set 20MMP Records that coincide with the Power-Duration Predictions at those levels.

[caption id="attachment_12373" align="aligncenter" width="927"]Xert Adaptive Training Program The Xert Adaptive Training Advisor has helped me stay on target. The Training Pacer remains between 11 and 1 O’clock. I’ve had few days off, but I’m ready to see what the Xert Adaptive Training Program has laid out for me as I transition from “Build”, to “Peak”.[/caption]

It will be interesting to see what Xert’s Adaptive Training Program lays out. I’m looking forward to the intervals, but I also want to build my own.

Take a look at the Xert “Weekly Stats” page, inside of the “Xert Planner” menu.

Xert ATA – Saturday’s Big Ride!

Xert ATA (Adaptive Training Advice) for Saturday, October 10th, 2020

The Xert ATA and Training Pacer Rainbow Dial are showing that I am roughly 101 XSS in the hole. The workout goal is set to 166 XSS. The Focus recommendation is “Endurance”.

[caption id="attachment_12345" align="aligncenter" width="910"]Xert Adaptive Training Advisor Training Pacer Focus I took yesterday off, but the Xert Adaptive Training Advisor looks at my previous Saturdays, and it has planned a good over-reach ride for me.[/caption]

The Adaptive Training Advisor has been pretty predictable, and while I am tired, I’m not overtrained.

Xert ATA – Post Ride

Well, the Xert ATA wanted 166 points?

Xert XSS – 76 Points of Aerobic Base

Xert XSS in the Xert Adaptive Training Advisor is recommending 76 points of completely aerobic base.

My FOCUS is set for “Endurance”.

I earn roughly 1 Xert XSS point per 9 or 10 Kilojoules of work, at about 170 watts of power. There usually is not enough time in my day to head out for an easy road ride. SO, I will probably perform this ride indoors.

[caption id="attachment_12330" align="aligncenter" width="922"]Xert XSS - 76 points of aerobic base The Xert XSS recommendation for the day is at 76 points. FOCUS is “Endurance”, which is purely aerobic.[/caption]

I DO miss having some intervals right now, however, so I may chuck the suggestions out the window and perform some intervals to get the points, and maybe try for a breakthrough.

Xert – Training Optional on the Xert Training Pacer

Xert – Training Optional in the Xert Training Pacer.

I did it – I moved the needle to the 1 O’clock position. “Training Optional” is sweet, sweet music. I’m going to take the day off. The dogs have been walked. Work beckons in a few hours. Right now, I’m going to fly my flight sim and maybe have a quick coffee nap.

[caption id="attachment_12307" align="aligncenter" width="942"]Xert Training Pacer Training Optional Adaptive Training Advisor October 5 2020 The volume and intensity I’ve achieved over the past several days is paying off. Taking a day off will NOT hurt my fitness, as the yellow triangle shows. There is also no workout suggestion in the description.[/caption]

Let’s look at the Xert Adaptive Training Advisor, below the Training Pacer. It describes WHY my status on the Training Pacer is set to “Training Optional”.

Xert Training Pacer – 10/4/2020

Xert Training Pacer is right at 12 O’clock.

The needle on my Xert Training Pacer is right at 12 O’Clock, but if I don’t ride today, the 24-hour triangle shows that I’ll slip back towards 11 O’Clock. The Xert Adaptive Training Advisor is recommending a 109 XSS ride, with an Xert FOCUS on “Endurance”, or “–:–“.

[caption id="attachment_12287" align="aligncenter" width="932"]Xert Training Pacer Rainbow Dial The Xert Training Pacer is at 12 O’Clock, so I’m right on target. The Xert Adaptive Training Advisor is recommending a LIGHT ride at low intensity.[/caption]

I’m going to head out now with my wife, and will report back soon.

Sleep and Intervals

Good Sleep is critical to recovery, so that Intervals can be completed and be effective.

I failed a workout on Friday. The effort was an attempt to get Xert XSS points in. However, I got about 5 hours of sleep on Thursday evening; three hours and then two, after two hours awake. The Xert Adaptive Training Advisor is adjusting my goals every day, but it does not take sleep quality or quantity into account. The Xert ATA does look at fatigue due to volume, but it still acts as a carrot, and I am always out chasing the goal.

The thought did occur to me to take the day off, but my goal in this series is to follow the Xert Training Pacer and Workout Goals. I’m trying to do these outdoors as much as possible. I’m also trying to adjust my intensity on the mountain bike, since that is just so much more convenient. The trails are right outside my front door. Due to some time restrictions, I was unable to get outside and ride, so I opted instead for an inside ride with intervals.

The Xert ATA was asking for 91 points and a FOCUS of 16:36. None of the recommended workouts in the right column offered anything less than 90 minutes. So, I went to the left tab of the Xert – My Fitness page, and designed my own workout.

Here’s the workout in the Xert Workout Designer

[caption id="attachment_12270" align="aligncenter" width="1850"]Xert OBC GC Specialist 75 Minutes Workout is accomplishable with good sleep and intervals Xert OBC GC Specialist 75 Minutes Workout. The main set intervals are SLOPE BASED with % FTP GOALS.[/caption]

On Paper, this was entirely accomplishable. However, this is based on solid sleep and intervals that follow the SMART acronym.

Xert Training Questions – Xert for Women

In 2017, using an early version of the Xert training system, my wife Tracy won a State Championships in Texas. I called out to her from a spot on the course, “GREEN!” YELLOW!” “ORANGE!” “RED!” to indicate the different colors on the wattage screen that I felt would best suit her needs at that moment. She ended up reducing the field from 25 riders, down to 5. She won two of the three primes, and won the finale.

[caption id="attachment_12259" align="aligncenter" width="428"]Xert Training Questions Lead to Answers This was the first recorded moment when Xert helped an athlete win a State Championship.[/caption]

At the end, everyone came up to her and said, “YOU OWNED THAT RACE!” “HOW DID YOU DO IT?!” “WHAT WERE THOSE COLORS YOUR HUSBAND WAS CALLING OUT?”

More Base Advised – My Journey to 300 Watts

Here’s my ride recommendation from the Xert Adaptive Training Advisor. In my Journey to 300 watts, a solid foundation of base is necessary. In order to get faster, I need to go slower. To ride stronger, I need to ride easier.

Low Intensity With the Xert Adaptive Training Advisor 9-28-2020

Here is a screenshot of my Xert Adaptive Training Advisor recommendations for Monday.

[caption id="attachment_12195" align="aligncenter" width="1123"]Xert Adaptive Training Advisor Xert Adaptive Training Advisor recommendations for Monday, September 28th, 2020.[/caption]

I am definitely tired from the weekend, but I know that the Adaptive Training Advisor is telling me to go slow and steady, and just ride for points.

My deficit for the day is just 38 XSS points. The workout goal is 69 XSS points. FOCUS is super low.