Mini-Tapers Continue

Submitted by Mark EWERS on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 8:02pm
Mark EWERS's picture

I've returned, temporarily, from yet another business trip. That's one more mini-taper in the log book for me. In the couple of days I was completely off my bike, a bunch more CTL vanished into thin air.

Interestingly, also in the time I was gone, a discussion about this very business of giving up CTL and eventually losing fitness has sprung up on wattage. The question asked was "How high is too high?" meaning at what point of increasing TSB does fitness start to decrease.

Andy Coggan had a much better way of summing it up:

How much can you let your CTL fall before your performance begins to decline?

I couldn't help but think about that today as I rode, having given up about 20% of my own CTL already in recent weeks. I'm guessing I'll find out, because the combination of shorter days and more business trips are sure to continue taking bites out of my CTL.

I don't mind admitting this has caused me quite a bit of stress lately. Achieving a given level of fitness is an accomplishment. Once obtained, I don't want to lose it. I've come to the realization, however, that it's better not to fight it. Besides, I might even benefit from it:

  • This is a good time to take a break and recharge anyway.
  • The lowered stress may help my back to heal up.
  • Documenting fitness in a time of decreasing CTL presents a great opportunity to learn about my own tapering abilities.
Unit's picture

Great thought!

Unit wrote 5 years 32 weeks ago

I have no doubt that you will bennefit from these times off. Winter is comming, and I view it as time to get out and ride in the really crappy conditions that sometimes pop up.

We go out and ride and try to stay upright and build on the handling skills and balance, and allow the fitness to dip a little. When it gets cold, or you get tired, you get off the bike and share thoughts with friends in your garage while you all clean your bikes.

I find that fitness levels rise and fall, but the handling skills pretty much grow like a savings account. The problem is, too many people out there today never make any deposits to that account. Extend that thought to amateur level racing and you will quickly understand why the strongest guys don't always win...and if they do, its often on a breakway and I call that very strong individual a sandbagger.

I have watched your account balance and seen your deposit slips (and falls). Your account is growing fast...lets injoy it this winter!