Personal Best (Tunitas Creek)

2012-11-18 updated 2013-07-25 • SEND FEEDBACK •
Related: heart rate, training

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July 25, 2013 effort

This effort is remarkable in that months of training were severely compromised by a shoulder surgery and a knee problem. This effort came after two weeks of intensive training after finally resolving the knee issues. It was not a maximal effort.

The power figures show a discrepancy against the Nov 18 2012 effort (lower power at higher riding weight with faster time = one of them is wrong). The power meter had been serviced not long before: more accurate or less? But clock time is a metric one cannot dispute.

What is remarkable about the new best time is that it was achieved at a weight five pounds heavier than the previous time, and that previous time was at the end of an exceptional training season. One possible explanation is the improved power output from a new riding position.

Duration: 32:34
Power, watts: 306.6
BPM: 156, with peak of 166
Distance: 6.32 miles
Ascent: 1721 feet (as per altimeter)
Speed: 11.64 mph
Temp: 67° F
TRW: 202 pounds

Power and heart rate with elevation profile, Tunitas Creek personal best

Nov 18, 2012 effort

This workout analysis shows a personal best ascent of Tunitas Creek which at the time I did not realize was a personal best, or I would have worked it harder!

Late in the season, the time was impacted by wearing medium-weight tights, carrying a jacket, partially full water bottle, bike light and tail light, as well as running a 700 X 27C front tire at 85 psi and 700 X 25C rear.

Duration: 32:47
Power, watts: 325.1
BPM: 160, with peak of 178
Distance: 6.25 miles
Ascent: 1741 feet (as per altimeter)
Speed: 11.45 mph
Temp: 53° F
TRW: 196.9 pounds

Analysis

The SRM Cannondale Hollowgram SL power meter is rated for 1% accuracy.

This was a very hard effort, but it felt relaxed as is always the case when I am well rested (having done only half workouts the two days prior, due to rain).

I paced myself steadily throughout the climb, just telling myself that a nice solid effort was all I wanted, no heroics. It was not a personal best attempt, though I had a feeling of going pretty fast. and not breathing all that hard. Ironically, best times seem to come when not aiming for my best!

As is the case for a “good day” I could not find any steep sections for the entire climb; everything felt quite easy. This is why it is worth resting— easy, free-flowing power output comes from being rested.

See also a summertime effort at a very similar heart rate, but a little lower power.

Click for a larger graph. Red is heart rate, green is power.

Power and heart rate with elevation profile, Tunitas Creek personal best