Training Update: March 2026
Current state of things
It’s been a while since I checked in on how things are going in nothing-but-bikes-land. So here I am to being you another addition of “Nobody Asked For It: Jeff’s Training Stuff”. Settle in, embrace the suck. Here’s a high-level overview before we get into the grit.
Currently we’re guesstimating the my functional threshold power (FTP) is about 270W. That’s what it being used for training targets and it seems reasonably accurate. I had been using 280W earlier in the winter based on a Zwift FTP ramp test, but then with my new training new regimen I couldn’t hold my targets and had to modify downwards.
If anyone asks, my FTP is 300W. It is common practice to round up or to just fully make up a number for conversations/parties.
Weekly training volume
Here’s an idea of what a week looks like from a training perspective:
| Day | Type | Duration | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Zone 2 (easy) | 3 hours | It was awful doing 2.5 hour rides indoors, 3 hours outdoors is much better - biggest training day of the week |
| Sunday | Zone 2 (easy) | 2.5 hours | Can switch out with Saturday for longer ride if a nicer day outdoors |
| Monday | Weights | 1 hour | Bilateral weight day, optional recovery ride in the evening |
| Tuesday | Threshold | 1 hour | 3 × 10 minutes at FTP with 5 minutes rest |
| Wednesday | Weights | 1 hour | Unilateral weights day, optional recovery ride in the evening |
| Thursday | VO2max | 1 hour | 4 × 5 minutes at 107% FTP with five minutes rest |
| Friday | REST | 24 hours | Glorious rest day, optional ride to work |
So roughly 9.5 hours a week on the bike, plus weights, plus 40 minutes for the return trip to work. Right now is that whole thing that that ugly Orange troll decided to do in Iran that has doubled diesel prices so I always bike which is 200 minutes = 3 hours and 20 minutes for a total of just under 13 hours a week.
No wonder I’m always tired and hungry.
Upcoming events
Tentative plans for the summer.
| Name | Distance | Date | Priority | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris to Ancaster | 70 km | April 26 | B | Season opener, weather is a wildcard |
| 100 Acre Gravel | 100 km | May 31 | A | Hometown race |
| Screaming Squirrel | 80 km | June 7 | C | Seems like fun |
| Dirty Burger Grease Prix | 90 km | July 25 | C | Seems like fun |
| GORBA Epic | 15 km | Mid-Sept | C | Relay, totally for funsies |
| Hurtin’ in Haliburton | 175+ km | September 26 | A | Oh goodness |
| Eden Mills CX Series | 20 km | Multiple | C | Cyclocross looks fun |
Probably a variety of other rides in there as well just to rack up some distance and time in the saddle. Everything is subject to change or be bailed upon because I’m not generally the type of person who does things.
Equipment changes
- equipment changes
Coaching change
- Xert to Claude
- Factors leading to change
Training changes
Changes I’ve made over the past couple of months.
Pure polarized/periodized
Lots of too easy, occasionally too hard. Army sizes!
On-bike nutrition
Sugar sugar sugar sugar
Off-bike nutrition
Protein everything
Strength training
Strengthen and lengthen that posterior chain mmmm
Looking forward
Doping
#personal/blog