At first glance, the results could seem disappointing. The exact same FTP results about 14 months apart. But this is not at all upsetting to me. In fact, progress can look exactly like this.
After getting the bike in 2020, it did not take long before I found my way into power zone training and thoroughly enjoyed it. The structure of the challenges coupled with the encouragement of the group here was unmatched. I saw some fast progress in that first year and felt the strongest I have ever felt on the bike.
Around April/May of 2020, my training shifted, and I began to focus again on powerlifting. I also began to make changes to my diet to figure out what weight class I would be more comfortable lifting in. Lot of changes going on and I backed off the power zone training. I used the time to take all the classes that I had been wanting to take, but it was obvious by looking at my metrics that my monthly mileage had fallen off.
At the beginning of the year, I grabbed one of Angie’s 6-week challenges and started to follow it. I knew my fitness had changed. I knew that my zones were not accurate. I also knew that I did not want to take the FTP test to figure out what I already knew. I manually lowered my FTP in the bike settings a few points to allow me to be able to handle the rides without dying in zone 3. This weekend I took the test again and it brought back all the fond memories of a near death experience.
I know that this was my absolute max effort at this point and time. I have zero doubts. My oldest daughter said she was worried about me because she could hear my breathing from the basement. It took me 5 minutes before I could even think about anything else other than breathing.
When I looked up and saw the numbers, part of me was disappointed. However, when I thought about the big picture, I was pretty happy. I have not been riding regular PZ rides other than this 6-week challenge. I have been focused primarily on strength. I took the FTP test later in the same day that I also had deadlifts, back squats, and RDLs. I was able to improve over the manual setting adjustment and get back to an output that matched my previous best when I was training power zone on a regular basis.
I don’t care if you took the test and your FTP is 10. I don’t care if you took the test and your FTP is 500. Getting on the bike and tackling that test is an accomplishment. Period. You know how many people would never have the guts to take it just once? I used to get so worked up over this test and the result. It is just a number. It is not THE number. It is not THE metric. It is just one of many different ways we have to adjust our training so that the long term result is the best possible.