This was my second Power Zone Pack challenge and also the longest, most difficult. The first challenge I completed was a 6-week challenge and I don’t remember it being as difficult as this one. I believe there are a few reasons for that.
First, the last challenge I finished, I feel as if I had been comfortable in my zones. I was capable of riding toward the top of my zones on nearly every ride, at least as much as I can recall. That probably meant that my FTP was off and my zones were too easy. I don’t feel like I was pushing the lifting as much during that challenge either. I have somewhat ramped up the lifting during this challenge when and where possible, coupled with my zones being different. After retesting, all of my zones basically shifted. I don’t think that I was ever comfortable in my zones, especially anything above zone 3. At one point, somewhere around week 5, I felt like I was finally getting used to my zones, and then the intensity dramatically increased.
Just so that I can have a record of the rides that I completed, here is the complete list along with the TSS for each week/ride.
Week 1 (TSS Estimate 158)
- 45 min PZ Endurance MW 12/16/20 @ 06:00 AM (TSS 43)
- 45 min PZ Endurance DM 02/06/20 @ 08:00 AM (TSS 40)
- 60 min PZ Endurance MW 12/21/19 @ 12:45 PM (TSS 53)
- 30 min PZ Endurance CD 05/31/20 @ 04:30 PM (TSS 20) AR
Week 2 (TSS Estimate 181)
- 45 min PZ MW 01/06/21 @ 06:00 AM (TSS 53)
- 45 min PZ Endurance MW 07/21/19 @ 08:00 AM (TSS 45)
- 60 min PZ Endurance DM 01/28/18 @ 10:30 AM (TSS 56)
- 30 min PZ Endurance OA 02/03/20 @ 11:30 AM (TSS 27) AR
Week 3 (TSS Estimate 214)
- 45 min PZ MW 09/16/20 @ 06:00 AM (TSS 60)
- 45 min Pro Cyclist Ride CVV 11/15/19 @ 08:00 AM (TSS 51)
- 75 min PZ Endurance MW 02/09/19 @ 12:45 PM (TSS 74)
- 30 min PZ Endurance MW 11/11/20 @ 06:00 AM (TSS 28) AR
Week 4 (TSS Estimate 164)
- 45 min PZ Endurance MW 01/02/20 @ 06:00 AM (TSS 45)
- 45 min PZ Endurance DM 03/12/20 @ 08:00 AM (TSS 43)
- 60 min PZ Endurance MW 12/05/20 @ 08:00 AM (TSS 56)
- 30 min PZ Endurance MW 06/13/20 @ 05:00 PM (TSS 20) AR
Week 5 (TSS Estimate 218)
- 45 min PZ MW 12/02/20 @ 06:00 AM (TSS 62)
- 60 min PZ MW 09/28/19 @ 12:45 PM (TSS 77)
- 60 min PZ MW 02/29/20 @ 12:45 PM (TSS 75)
- 30 min PZ Endurance DM 09/05/20 @ 12:00 PM (TSS 26) AR
Week 6 (TSS Estimate 226)
- 45 min PZ MW 12/23/20 @ 06:00 AM (TSS 66)
- 45 min PZ DM 02/09/21 @ 11:30 AM (TSS 55)
- 60 min PZ MW 12/12/20 @ 08:00 AM (TSS 78)
- 30 min PZE 02/26/21 @ 11:30 AM Live AR (TSS 29)
It was around this point that the volume started to really have an impact on me. The intensity of these rides were some of the highest to date. Coupled with trying to maintain the Juggernaut lifting in the mornings, I just felt really worn out.
My wife and I also wonder if the high intensity cardio is behind some of the blood pressure fluctuation that I have been seeing lately.
Week 7 (TSS Estimate 241)
- 45 min PZ Max MW 09/02/20 @ 06:30 AM (TSS 63)
- 45 min PZ OA 12/07/20 @ 06:00 AM (TSS 59)
- 90 min PZ Endurance MW 04/27/19 @ 12:45 PM (TSS 91)
- 30 min PZ Endurance 90s DM 01/19/21 @ 08:00 AM (TSS 28)
The first two rides of this week were more proof to me that this 8-week challenge was too much for me. I have not been able to recover enough to really tackle these rides like I am used to doing. The 45 minute PZ ride with Olivia on Wednesday was very difficult and another ride where I wanted to quit. I would feel bad not seeing all of this through given that I signed up to participate as a team, so quitting wasn’t an option. But recovery in different zones made more sense.
On Saturday, I normally come home from lifting and coaching to grab something to eat, relax a little, and then around lunch time I am ready to knock out the challenge ride for the day. This Saturday was vastly different as I crashed for two hours on the couch. I just had not been able to get caught up on rest and constantly felt like the tank was empty. I had plenty of time to do the ride so I pushed it off until Sunday which was the smart move as I felt far better then.
Week 8 (TSS Estimate 142)
- MW 03/12/20 @ 06:00 AM (TSS 43)
- 45 min PZ Endurance DM 12/21/20 @ 07:30 PM (TSS 41)
- 60 min PZ Endurance MW 02/08/20 @ 12:45 PM (TSS 58)
- 30 min PZ Endurance OA 01/30/20 @ 07:30 AM (TSS 25)
Summary
Today I wrapped this challenge up with the 60-minute endurance ride instead of the FTP test. Between the Juggernaut programming and this challenge, I certainly found my MRV as I hit a wall in weeks 6 & 7 and just held on. I am not even upset about not retesting. I was able to check off every single one of the required rides and did the very best I could while also lifting. Not mad at all. There is already an email out about the next challenge kicking off in April and as I type this, I will be skipping that 8-week challenge to take a little break. With the warmer weather coming, I want to spend more time outside and I also want to focus on pushing the lifting a little more than I have.
I pulled my data from Peloton and here are the totals from January 18th to today:
- Total Output: 16,266
- Total Miles: 537.07
- Total Calories: 36,950