The background (I know, I'm a bit wordy)
Been riding for about 18 months and wattbike training for well over a year. The WB I've been using exactly as its supposed to - controlled, conistent, training environment with technique feedback as well as power/speed/cadence/HR. I take the Garmin to the gym and record the sessions to track what I've done.
For the majority, I've been doing fat-burning sessions and long stints to just get the miles under the legs, endurance zone training and just getting the calories burnt.
As I'm down to do the Dragon Ride this year, more recently I've been focussing on upping my FTP, sitting in HRZ4 for much longer, and trying to recreate the power outputs that I have for my hillclimbs as estimated on Strava (ie using the estimated power output for the same time for my Ditchling Beacon PB) in order to improve my hillclimbing.
As for my HR, I've got it set to 196 max. I've had it at a few times to 192 when getting to the point where I'm starting to feel sick so adding another few on should be about right. All very unscientific I know but it'll do for now. Whereas I traditionally used to get out of my seat to climb, I've been trying to stay in the seat more to be conservative with energy as well as train the legs a little more.
My issue
Over the last couple of weeks, I can't seem to get my HR into the 180s without much more of a struggle. I've done a few hillclimbs while keeping it in the 170s. My legs are burning as before and my breathing is just as laboured as usual but its like my HR doesn't go as high for this performance. Is there something I'm doing wrong? Can it be my fitness has just stepped and I'm not challenging my CV system any more? I'm drinking about the same caffeine as usual but I've been focussing for the past few months on not taking on caffiene in my water additives; but for months, not the last couple of weeks.
I'm more than happy if my fitness can take this jump - I'll use it as motivation to push harder. But if this in indicative of something that shouldn't happen, then its probably better for me to see to that now.
Been riding for about 18 months and wattbike training for well over a year. The WB I've been using exactly as its supposed to - controlled, conistent, training environment with technique feedback as well as power/speed/cadence/HR. I take the Garmin to the gym and record the sessions to track what I've done.
For the majority, I've been doing fat-burning sessions and long stints to just get the miles under the legs, endurance zone training and just getting the calories burnt.
As I'm down to do the Dragon Ride this year, more recently I've been focussing on upping my FTP, sitting in HRZ4 for much longer, and trying to recreate the power outputs that I have for my hillclimbs as estimated on Strava (ie using the estimated power output for the same time for my Ditchling Beacon PB) in order to improve my hillclimbing.
As for my HR, I've got it set to 196 max. I've had it at a few times to 192 when getting to the point where I'm starting to feel sick so adding another few on should be about right. All very unscientific I know but it'll do for now. Whereas I traditionally used to get out of my seat to climb, I've been trying to stay in the seat more to be conservative with energy as well as train the legs a little more.
My issue
Over the last couple of weeks, I can't seem to get my HR into the 180s without much more of a struggle. I've done a few hillclimbs while keeping it in the 170s. My legs are burning as before and my breathing is just as laboured as usual but its like my HR doesn't go as high for this performance. Is there something I'm doing wrong? Can it be my fitness has just stepped and I'm not challenging my CV system any more? I'm drinking about the same caffeine as usual but I've been focussing for the past few months on not taking on caffiene in my water additives; but for months, not the last couple of weeks.
I'm more than happy if my fitness can take this jump - I'll use it as motivation to push harder. But if this in indicative of something that shouldn't happen, then its probably better for me to see to that now.
