This is an ongoing list as more and more clients train with power, power becomes cheaper and more questions get asked! Please feel free to email me with things I have missed or questions you may have.
Having power doesn’t mean that all other metrics are useless (RPE, Heart Rate, VAM etc.)
I wrote an article for MyFitnessPal about using both HR and Power (and any other metric/info you can use … including your brain!)
Power can be wrong, misleading, depressing, not available, frustrating … be prepared to take a breath and carry on like you would at a race–or like you would have before power.
I have been there. Pushing really hard, thinking everything was going well then a glance down at Mr. (or Mrs.) power meter makes me want to curl up in the ditch and phone home for a pickup and some hot tea.
Focus on doing the work, recovering well and using the data you have to move forward. While the power meter ‘doesn’t lie’ it very well can be set-up wrong, miscalibrated or, more importantly, your perception of what you SHOULD be doing is off. I talk about the idea of setting realistic FTP or thresholds in this Consummate Athlete Podcast episode.
Don’t forget you still need to steer around the Trees (or jump pot-holes)
Too often clients forget the technical, tactical, mental, preparational and the multitude of other factors that influence a race. Your CP20 or best 20-minute power is not your race results and often the people with the best power tests are not the best on the race course (also your cp20 is not your threshold / FTP). Use power as one aspect of your preparation.
Power doesn’t always go up in tests or workouts. You still can complete a workout if power isn’t what you think it should be.
You can learn about setting and updating heart rate and power threshold in this article.
Steve Neal and I discuss power testing and nerves in this Consummate Athlete Podcast Episode as well.
Testing in the field or with a coach can be helpful to understand what zones or power levels you should expect to ride at. Read more about testing
Generally, avoid riding your power meter in rain/cold … think of it like an iPhone w. no case
This is less of an issue as the devices get better BUT I would still avoid riding through rivers where possible. Same goes for temperatures below freezing. Some power meters are easier to do this with but it may also mean riding a winter bike outside and leaving your ‘power meter bike’ on the indoor trainer.
Buy extra batteries now and start a routine to charge your devices to avoid ‘losing’ them mid-workout or when traveling.
Learn to calibrate and do it every day to avoid misreadings.
Want to learn more about your new power meter and training with power?
Book a phone consult to discuss all your questions – Easy to schedule with Front-Desk
