How long does it take to get back to your old level?

zest28
zest28 Posts: 403
in Training, fitness and health
So after all racing was cancelled due to covid, I pretty much stopped training. If I did a ride, it is more of an easy Sunday ride with my girlfriend.

I recently decided training again. And it was quite interesting to see by how much my FTP has dropped after performing a FTP test. It is actually quite embarrassing when i saw my FTP number. I used to be able to sustain 280W for 3 hours, I cannot even do that for 1 hour now.

So how long does it take to get back to your old level after taking a long break from training? I was hoping to get back to my old level before the summer, but based on the improvements that I am seeing, it might be not realistic?

Comments

  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Nobody can tell you how long it will take. Depends on how much time you have available, which is probably something only you can answer..
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,523
    If 280W for an hour is embarrassing then I will not be sharing any of my power numbers.
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 6,063
    A long time.
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
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  • MidlandsGrimpeur2
    MidlandsGrimpeur2 Posts: 2,123
    As others have highlighted, the timeframe is impossible to know. The only thing that is reasonable to assume is that you will likely only be able to get back to your previous level if you are following a similar training volume and gradually work back towards the same kind of sessions and intensity.

    Just out of interest, I remember following Andrew Critchlow's story a few years back. He was an ex GB team member in his teens (possibly even a Junior national champ?). He gave up cycling in his early 20's and took it up again at 40. He got back to being a 1st cat which took him about 3 seasons I think.

    Not suggesting it will take the OP 3 years!
  • me-109
    me-109 Posts: 1,915
    He'll see a big improvement once he gets his compression socks back on. ;)
  • ibr17xvii
    ibr17xvii Posts: 1,065
    singleton said:

    If 280W for an hour is embarrassing then I will not be sharing any of my power numbers.


    ^^^This^^^
  • masjer
    masjer Posts: 2,693
    edited March 2022
    singleton said:

    If 280W for an hour is embarrassing then I will not be sharing any of my power numbers.

    Whether It is good or bad is dependent on your weight though. At 100Kg 2.8 watts/kilo or at 60kg 4.6 w/Kg-much better.
  • davep1
    davep1 Posts: 837
    It depends on your age, it depends on your training, it depends on lifestyle factors. I had a bad crash in 2018, broke my scapula. I don't have a power meter so can't say for sure where I am at, but think I am still progressing in the right direction. Whether that is the level I was at in '18 before the crash, don't know. I'm 57 and ride around 200km a week, although never raced.
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,107
    I doubt it'll take too long but before the Summer might be optimistic. End of the Summer to be there or thereabouts.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,523
    masjer said:

    singleton said:

    If 280W for an hour is embarrassing then I will not be sharing any of my power numbers.

    Whether It is good or bad is dependent on your weight though. At 100Kg 2.8 watts/kilo or at 60kg 4.6 w/Kg-much better.
    True, I am under 75kg I suppose.

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