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LtNojoy's avatar

Did your SPT (minus lactate) this morning on Zwift - results were grim. What I initially thought were Z2 and 3 steps, turned out to feel like a Z3 and 4. I plan to do the GZP Thursday. I feel like this will confirm Z1-2 and at least I'll know where I should be training. Thx Gordo.

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Gordo Byrn's avatar

I thought this was an excellent case study on using subjective perception (no lactate) on a progressive test

https://x.com/hybridathlete8/status/1889660493033275509?s=46&t=bd7u-rjQ5NDtc4pfKdMDPQ

G

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LtNojoy's avatar

I read it Gordo, it was good. Plan to get a lactate meter soon, however, I'm pretty confident in my Z1-Z2 after today. I'll confirm Thursday with GZP, but as your buddy says "test, don't guess" would take the guess work out of the equation.

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LtNojoy's avatar

"Endurance => targeted around the first lactate threshold (LT1)

Top of Zone 1 / Bottom of Zone 2"

I'm sure my brain is translating this incorrectly, but isn't LT1 the top of Zone 2?

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Gordo Byrn's avatar

LT1 in everything we write is defined as the top of Zone 1.

Some of the confusion arises by certain federations defining LT1 as 0.3-0.6 mmol above baseline lactate. This higher definition of LT1 is sometimes used for the top of Zone 2.

To avoid confusion, and be crystal clear, we define LT1 with reference to baseline lactate and don't add anything.

More details in the Lactate Chapter here: https://feelthebyrn.substack.com/i/141166768/baseline-and-first-threshold-lt

Feel free to follow up.

G

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LtNojoy's avatar

Gordo, is it even possible to do a Z2 ride outside? If I have any head wind or grade even in the small chain ring I'm above Z2 power range. I'm still in Z2 heart rate but not power.

I have seen riders who just use heart rate for Z2 rides for the same reason. I've also looked at riders who state on their Strava that they had a Z2 ride, but when I look at power zone distribution they most certainly have gone over in power, but not HR.

Sure like your thoughts on it.

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Gordo Byrn's avatar

My first question would be how does it feel? Meaning, does the outdoor ride feel comfortable and is the effort repeatable?

The great thing about cycling is our gears make it straightforward to moderate effort. With appropriate gearing, and moderate terrain, green zone is easily achieved.

G

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LtNojoy's avatar

Depends on the severity of the headwind or grade, but if I strictly use breathing as main metric, I definitely notice a change even when in small chain ring. HR within zone and legs feel fine most of the time.

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