[derekosborne22]

Hi Guys,

I opened an account with Training Peaks and loaded up all my 2019 training days. Up to Sept 1st, most of the training/events were road based cycling and the training based on the “more and harder is better” principle, and looking back I spent most time in traditional HR Z3/Z4/Z5 zones. I starting reading the Uphill Athlete books in July and added some Z1/Z2 zones to my training routine ahead of last event on Sept 1, which i have to say I finished in best time ever, and felt strong all the way to the end – great:-) On Sept 2nd I switched to a 30 wk “walking/mountaineering” plan to prepare me for a tough 10 day hut to hut ski tour next April, which is 100% based on UA philosophy, so right now have started a 5 month aerobic base building block.

Concern: I started the base training with a CTL of 70 and in less than 3 weeks it’s dropped to 60. Training has been 6 days a week ramping up to approx 9 hours this week – similar to that I was doing prior to change but at considerable less intensity.

Question: should I be worried about this or is it a natural outcome of starting a base building period? I feel “worked” but in no way stressed by current volume. If I need to address how best should I do it as I’m working close to top of Z2 – do I simply do more?

I’ve attached a screenshot (hopefully!) of my TP dashboard for last 180 days which might help.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks
Derek

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous on September 19, 2019 at 2:23 pm #28722

Ignore the change in CTL. You’re changing sports. Your CTL up to that change was cycling-specific. It’s way easier to build up a lot of cycling volume because of the lack of impact. A cycling CTL of X isn’t relevant nor the same as a running CTL of X.

If all of your training is now weight-bearing, then you’ll have your new, more-relevant CTL.

I feel “worked” but in no way stressed by current volume.

What do you mean by this? “Worked” sounds like physical stress to me.

[derekosborne22]

derekosborne22 on September 19, 2019 at 2:34 pm #28725

Hi Scott,

Thanks for quick reply and answer as expected.

Re “worked”, the current workout intensity is enough to make me sweat a bit so I know I’m working, but am perfectly ready for repeating the next day, even after the longer 4 hour day on the hill that I do once a week (and will gradually make longer).

Does that make sense? I feel I could do more but everything I read in the books and on the site is GO SLOW AND BUILD GRADUALLY so I’m sticking to plan.

Derek

[Anonymous]

Anonymous on September 19, 2019 at 2:38 pm #28726

Ah, okay, thanks for the clarification. In climbing parlance, “worked” means really tired, so that’s what I was thinking.