Pacing an Hour

Alex_Simmons/RST

Thought you might find this of interest.

A clubmate attempted to break the world hour record in his age category on the weekend.
http://alex-cycle.blogspot.com/2008/02/ ... power.html

Here is the shot of his power file. While he didn't set out to pace by heart rate - in effect that's kinda what happened. His HR went to "threshold" (whatever that is for HR) and he plateued there until near the end when failure came and he blew spectacularly.

See what happens to power (and speed) - a long slow decline while HR remained constant.

A great corollary example of "cardiact drift" - the "power decline at constant HR".

cervelorider

From what I read in your report on another forum Alex, this is not the best example of how to pace an attempt on the hour record?

scherrit

An iso-power approach is more likely to be sucessful, I'd have thought?

bahzob

Reminds me of this article:
http://www2.trainingbible.com/joesblog/2007/08/ironman-uk-power-graph.html

which shows pretty good pacing and a cardiac drift(decoupling) of only 4% compared to 27% in the example above.

Also wonder how fast this chap may go if he attempted same record as he is in same age cat and apparently has an FTP of 430W.

Alex_Simmons/RST

cervelorider wrote:

From what I read in your report on another forum Alex, this is not the best example of how to pace an attempt on the hour record?

Correct - this was poor pacing. What I kindly term "sub-optimal".

Alex_Simmons/RST

scherrit wrote:

An iso-power approach is more likely to be sucessful, I'd have thought?

In this case yes, or even a slightly conservative start.

Alex_Simmons/RST

bahzob wrote:

Reminds me of this article:
http://www2.trainingbible.com/joesblog/2007/08/ironman-uk-power-graph.html

which shows pretty good pacing and a cardiac drift(decoupling) of only 4% compared to 27% in the example above.

Also wonder how fast this chap may go if he attempted same record as he is in same age cat and apparently has an FTP of 430W.

That would depend to a large extent on his CdA and his skill in riding the track (amongst other things).

cannonfodder

What techniques should be used to pace yourself better for something like this? Is it just a case of being more familiar with what your output is?

Alex_Simmons/RST

cannonfodder wrote:

What techniques should be used to pace yourself better for something like this? Is it just a case of being more familiar with what your output is?

In the case of an hour attempt, actually heeding the pacing instruction of the coach is the best method. Jay chose not to. The result is there to see.

As for long TTs, then many now days check their power meter for the first km or so just to help keep a lid on it at the start, then ignore it and go by feel.

AntLockyer

Mercx didn't have a power meter.

(this is a joke for those who have read the book The Hour)

Mike Willcox

AntLockyer wrote:

Mercx didn't have a power meter.

(this is a joke for those who have read the book The Hour)

So Eddie Merckx didn't have a power meter eh?

Tryning to think of a funny one liner to which this could be the punch line, but I can't. Please tell us the joke so that we can all share it.

AntLockyer

You really need to have read the book. It's about a mans plight to break the 'Athletes' hour record. The record was basically the UCI's way of trying to prevent anyone without the kudos of Merckx holding the record. This included scratching Boardman's name off the list (and Obree) and making Merckx's record stand once again. Then anyone who wanted to break this record must do it on old school equiment.

At one point the UCI official at the track told the rider to remove his digital watch stating that "Merckx didn't have a digital watch"

Mike Willcox

AntLockyer wrote:

You really need to have read the book. It's about a mans plight to break the 'Athletes' hour record. The record was basically the UCI's way of trying to prevent anyone without the kudos of Merckx holding the record. This included scratching Boardman's name off the list (and Obree) and making Merckx's record stand once again. Then anyone who wanted to break this record must do it on old school equiment.

At one point the UCI official at the track told the rider to remove his digital watch stating that "Merckx didn't have a digital watch"

Now I see it. So what you are saying is that Boardman and Obree are better riders than Merkx and the equipment doesn't matter a jot. Ha Ha Ha that is funny!

AntLockyer

How did you get to that conclusion from my post?

My view is technology makes a massive difference and Boardman beat Merckx's record under the new UCI rules.

Mike Willcox

AntLockyer wrote:

How did you get to that conclusion from my post?

My view is technology makes a massive difference and Boardman beat Merckx's record under the new UCI rules.

Oh so where is the joke then?

All I can see is a worthy if idealistic attempt at creating a level playing field so as to provide a realistic method of comparing riders' abilities from one era to another. There is always going to be way for innovation and modern technology to "improve" the bike within the rules which is a shame really.

I'm a Merckx fan and firmly believe that he is the best rider ever.

cannonfodder

I think the joke was not in any comment about the riders' ability versus technology versus the UCI but just as a spoof/skit on the situation, substituting power meter for digital watch. Not bad actually and in context of the hour