Updated Functional Threshold Power (FTP)

Functional Threshold Power (FTP) represents your ability to sustain the highest possible power output over 45 to 60 minutes, depending on whether you're a trained athlete or not. 

My FTP is now at 273 watts, 16 watts higher than it was on January 6, 2018.

This was determined today during an FTP test of two averaged 8-minute all out segments, I paced well on the first segment but did not pace well on the second segment (which can be seen in the graphic below).  This resulted in a lower set of values in segment two. Upshot...I think my number could have been higher.  But whatever...I'm happy to train with a target a couple watts lower.

Notes:
- The blue sections show the targeted power readings for this workout.
- The yellow lines show the actual power readings.
- The red line is heart rate.


I don't have similar FTP numbers from previous years, but I do have some numbers from a couple past races:
8/14/13 - T-Rex bike leg (11.66 miles) - 232 watts, 247 watts normalized power
6/22/16 - Pterodactyl bike leg (11.7 miles) - 236 watts, 248 watts normalized power.
The normalized power numbers are higher because of the hilly nature of the T-Rex Tri series bike course.

In any case, by comparison, the older numbers both look a low compared to where things are now.  Seems like a good sign.

More on FTP can be found at https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/what-is-threshold-power/

March 2018 Totals

March workout totals came as follows:
Total workout time:  48.6 hours
Swim - 27624 yards
Bike - 476 miles
Run - 90.3 miles

The first three categories as the highest volume I've done in March, so pretty big.  Previous to this year, the highest totals were as follows:
Total workout time - 32.5 hours (March 2015)
Swim - 12050 yards (March 2017)
Bike - 220 miles (March 2016).

Running a spring marathon always kicks up the run totals this time of the year. With Boston in 2014 and 2015, I had 215 miles and 180 miles respectively. 

So what's the upshot?
Well....lots of workout hours this month and staying pretty healthy. As I write, I am enjoying an off day of training.  Really nice to have some downtime this evening.

Also noticed some of the spring break 88 post photos did not go through....gotta fix that soon.