The “Watts up with Power?” ride is likely the slowest group ride you’ll find on Zwift, because it focuses on learning the basics of power based training while riding together on Zwift. Each ride is streamed to Zwift LIVE by ODZ on Facebook, and focuses on teaching specific principles of power-based training. For viewers that are unable to attend live, the teaching is made available for all to review afterwards.
Here is the summary for March 22 from ride leader Taylor Thomas.
If you’re training for ultra distance events like the Dirty Kanza 200, Leadville Trail 100, or any others then your approach to training, and analysis of that training, is different than more “traditional” cyclists.
1: What to look for in the power numbers?
Depending on your discipline the power based metrics that impact your fitness and training approach are different. Training maximal power becomes less of a priority while focus on sustained power should take up more of your training time.
Resistance to fatigue and muscular endurance can be achieved through focused training and attention to specific physiological adaptations. Look for insights in your power profile to understand how you’re developing.
2: What metrics matter?
The beauty of power based training is that we have the ability to drill down and focus on what matters. Identify what metrics are going to provide real, actionable insights.
Focus on the metrics that shed light on your growth as an endurance athlete. Are you developing aerobic endurance, stamina, and muscular endurance over time?
Put your numbers in context. How long can you sustain your threshold? At what specific durations do you produce the strongest power numbers? What’s your W/Kg for varying efforts? These are all valuable questions for ultra endurance racers to understand and know the answers to.
3: How should the training be approached?
Volume is a critical component of endurance racing. Make sure you have the time to dedicate to spending the necessary hours on the bike.
Training for, and competing in ultra endurance events takes a toll on an athlete’s body. Pay close attention to cumulative training stress and ramp rates to ensure you don’t suffer from burnout or overtraining.
Rest days are important! Don’t try to cram too much training in. Develop a purposeful training approach, and stick to it. Rest days are when you gain fitness.
Never neglect endurance training. At the end of the day endurance is the foundation of the sport. Don’t let workouts and dedicated sessions completely take the place of long endurance rides.
