Thanks @Glen.Coutts and @DarrenWCKam. I so seldom go on FB anymore that I’d forgotten about the Sufferlandria page. Looking at it just now gave me a headache. Too much going on with the sidebars, moving images, etc. All that noise probably appeals to a younger generation, but for me, I prefer simplicity. I’ll start a new thread here in the forum. That’s also a great tip from @DarrenWCKam on the posting. I’ll work that into my pre-quest mental training prep! Ok, that’s my last post here. I’ll take it to a new thread.
Cool! Like you, I spend less and less time on FB. The continual bombardment of sponsored content, reels, ads, suggested for me…means I can scroll down 6-7 or more posts before I actually see something from someone I know, or a group I follow. Looking forward to following your quest on a new thread.
Just like the both of you, I hardly log into Facebook these days, too many advertisements and too much negativity (perhaps).
See y’all there
I don’t want to clutter up someone else’s HM thread or make a brand new post for this so I’ll just tack it on here to my KOS thread as it’s at least partially relevant.
Looks like I’ve realized some gains from all my Zone 2 training and KOS attempt. Been seeing my numbers jumping by leaps and bounds in the past 3 months with every fitness test. Decided to do a new HM as reach the end of all my training before I take off a couple weeks for the holidays. Today’s results were more spectacular (to me ) than I ever expected. Particularly because my legs felt tired and a bit fatigued. Did a 3 hours long climb workout on Saturday, a 90 minutes fasted Zone 2 ride, and yesterday I did my usual 2 hour Zone 2 (first hour fasted 2nd hour fueled).
Today’s results?
cTHR: (+4) 154 to 158.
MAP: (+5) 325 to 330
FTP: (+13) 263 to 276! (3.5w/kg)
Based on my previous experiences with HM my FTP is probably a bit overstated, but likely still at least 270. And now I’m stunned!
From July to Dec based on HM I’ve increased my FTP from 231 to 276!
I did not expect this.
Now that I’ve pushed it up to new heights I’ll get to see how far it drops after the holidays.
so, based on your Todays results
your MAP is lower than your FTP? Interesting
Edit: also, seriously IMPRESSIVE gains Sir!
hahah! One of my typical typos. lol.
I WISH that my FTP had a 3 in front of it.
Fixed!
Maybe I’ll have it over 300 by the time I’m 50?
Keep going and you might get there. I’m trying to get back over 200 after a serious injury and some very interesting health issues. I’m going to keep plugging at it.
Between my back issues and my training, I can totally sympathize with you. One day I’m hitting new PR’s. The next I’m lying on my back hoping I’ll be able to even ride again.
I really hope you can get your health issues taken care of.
With the solid amount of z2 and also some being fasted rides, how has the weight been? Any noticeable impact on that front (positive or negative - I dunno if you want to lose or gain or stay the same!? I hope it’s not a personal question) ?
That’s actually not a bad question. The Zone 2 has helped, as has my new macro and nutrition tracking.
I was hanging around between 185-190 in December 2021 and that was bothering my back which was giving me some mild restless leg issues (that happens any time I get over 185 thanks to the disc I tore 20 years ago). So I did have a good of dropping my weight back down to under 180lbs.
I had trouble losing it in the first half of the year between my back troubles and my spotty riding. I hung around 184 thru April. Was around 183 from May thru June. But it wasn’t really budging.
All my Zone 2 starting in July helped me drop my weight down to around 181 at the beginning of Sept. My weight actually went up a little during my big cycling challenge in Sept. But then in Oct I started doing macro tracking and got back into logging my food. The Zone 2 helped me improve my fitness and the macro and food tracking helped me finally get the last few pounds off. I was down to 174 yesterday and today. I’ve been eating more protein, veggies, and fruit and doing a lot less pantry grazing.
So the combination of Z2 and nutrition focus has helped so that I achieved the holy grail of increasing my fitness while also lowering my weight. It’s definitely true that you can’t out-exercise a bad diet. I’ve seen that myself over and over again.
Just 5 months ago on July 21 I did HM and at an FTP of 231 I was at 2.78w/kg (83.09 kg). And while raising my FTP up to 276 I’m now at 3.5w/kg (78.85kg). At my old weight I would need an FTP of almost 291 to get the same w/kg.
My current weight is really about where I want it. Maybe I could lose a bit more down to 170lbs, but for me this is a good spot and I would be fine hovering around 172-7. If I was a racer I might want it lower, but since I’m not racing this is a good healthy place for me.
Interesting. And congrats! A successful year, buddy.
Sir @emacdoug, you are an inspiration! Excellent effort!
We’re just waiting for wahoo to make the film for us
Haven’t received my stickers from GvA, yet. I am sign up for the USPS Informed Delivery and get daily emails with scans of the mail we’re supposed to receive. It was supposed to arrive in December, but then it never showed up in my mailbox. I let Sir @David.McQuillen.KoS know, but then all hex broken loose with all the layoffs and now the Tour of Wahtchamcallit, so I’m sure they’re all swamped. But I trust that GvA will get it sent over eventually once the flogging subsides.
In the meantime, I’ve purchased my own new
bike decals from VeloInk.
Hey MacDougall, you spelled BADASS wrong
Is there any chance you’d be willing to share some details on how/where you acquired said decals and possibly provide a file that could be modified for different names? Perhaps a side gig making these?? I know I’d buy a couple of them….
@Sir_Alan Absolutely. These are made by VeloInk. It’s $11.99 US for a sheet of 8 stickers. You can customize your name and pick from just about any flag you can think of including the bleeding eyes flag if Sufferlandria. Great quality. Highly recommend.
Ah, shame. I wanted decals.
@emacdoug to you sir! My set has been ordered. Thanks for the link!