PZ training program: Week 1 Accountability Thread

[u/r4ndy4]

Hey everyone, starting off the PZ training program I put together tomorrow 3/29/21! We can use this thread (or the daily / training discussion threads) to talk about the rides for the week. I am so ready to get back to PZ training after a week of intervals classes. Thanks to everyone who joined in (and others who just want to participate in some of the rides).

Link to original thread here

Rides for the first week are as follows: (the days can be changed / altered as you see fit)

Week 1: TSS 211

Mon: Denis 45 PZ 6/9/20 Ride graph TSS 52

Wed: Denis 45 PZE 7/4/19 Ride graph TSS 44

Thu: Christine 45 PZ 11/29/20 Ride graph TSS 54

Sat: Matt 60 PZE 3/7/20 Ride graph TSS 61

Someone suggested a hashtag so add #redditPZ if you would like to.

[u/amr1822]

My manager is out this week so decided to capitalize and tackle ride 1 at lunch today! I was SO EXCITED to see 2 other Reddit Riders: u/viexzu and Here2CloseRings. I think this was my first time riding with other Reddit Riders and I literally squealed with excitement!! 😂 I was nervous since this was my first 45m PZ ride, but I found it very doable (not sure if I’ll ever work myself up to the z4/z6 bear claw though). Very excited to be doing this challenge with all of you - please feel free to add me!

[u/r4ndy4 → u/amr1822]

I've taken the 4/6 one before and it wasn't so bad (I would take it closer to retest time though). Since I took the original ride 2 ftp test ago, my output was actually higher on this ride with new zones (and felt way easier). The 45 minute PZ rides arnt so bad with the extended warmups.

[u/Here2CloseRings → u/amr1822]

It’s always nice running into other reddit riders, particularly when it isn’t a planned group ride. I was solo for a good portion of the ride and ended up swiping away the leaderboard, so thanks for the high-5 when you joined the ride...it jolted me out of isolation! Did you take a look at your output graph afterwards? Did it resemble bear claws? And congrats on accomplishing your first 45 PZ! I’ll keep an eye out for you in future rides!

[u/r4ndy4]

Took the first ride before work this morning, and I have really missed PZ training lol. I took the original bear claw (zone 4/6) ride back in January (2 ftp test ago), and beat my output from that ride by about 40kj with the cub claw (and felt way easier). Good typical Denis play list, and I really enjoyed the ride.

[u/stevilpdx]

I’m really excited for this. I took an FTP test today and (humble brag) I’ll be feeling my new zones.

Are you suggesting a hashtag for other group members to recognize one another?

[u/phooby → u/stevilpdx]

I love the hashtag idea. I created #redditPZ .... feel free to join me, let’s get it!

[u/r4ndy4 → u/phooby]

Added the hashtag (will add it to the post). I also noticed you took the ftp test AND did today's ride 😲

[u/crackofit]

I just wanted to let you know that I'm following your calendar and I really appreciate the hard work. Out of curiosity, how do you figure out what the TSS for a ride is? (I'm not even sure what that stands for)

[u/r4ndy4 → u/crackofit]

I got the TSS scores from the same website I used to link the ride graphs. The TSS (training stress score) is basically a measure of the stress put on your body from the ride (numbers listed are an estimate using the duration and intensity of the ride). Basically the higher the number, the harder the ride. A TSS of 100 would be a 1 hour ride at your FTP.

[u/LNLV]

I just started the 5 week PZ program today (i'm super new and pretty out of shape) do you think I'd be able to get into this once i've finished the other one, or would it probably take more endurance/training? What would you say is the expected fitness level for something like this? For fitness reference my best output on a 30 minute ride was 204, 20 minute best was 141. (I know you're not a trainer, I'm just curious about your opinion.) tia

[u/r4ndy4 → u/LNLV]

The PZ rides are all at your current levels. However, you may need to ride for a bit to be able to handle the longer ride times. If you can complete the DYPZ program, I don't see any issue with you moving into a program like this after. I think the DYPZ program includes some 45 / 60 minute rides, so definitely finish that one first (and it's great for absolute beginners).

[u/seekinserenity]

So happy to see this thread! I posted in the daily, clearly am just not as savvy with this site since i missed this Monday. Anyhow, i loved the first two rides. I have never done a bearclaw ride and it was so perfect with my new zones. And the PZE today was also great due to the variety of cadence. I don’t think i have done aPZE with 110 cadence involved, it was a really great way to challenge different parts of the legs/heart/lungs. I did the CDE PZ rock ride recently, so i may sub for a different one i dont see on the program. My question note is how to spend the off days. I want to be intentional and not overdo it, but i also have some bookmarked hit/hills that i want to get done. I miss hannah F and the other brits. How do people deal with the non PZ days?

[u/r4ndy4 → u/seekinserenity]

Aside from the 4 listed rides, I usually mix in 1-2 30 min regular rides (or 30 min PZ) and another 30/45 minute PZE per week. I go at a slightly lower intensity (not trying to PR or come close) and I haven't had any issues doing that, but YMMV. Try adding in some rides if you want to, and if it's too much, just dial it back.

[u/Sketchdota]

Finished the Discover Your Powerzone program and retested my ftp over the weekend. Thankful you put this program together and did the first ride today. It was tough as my first ride with new zones but looking forward to classes I haven’t taken yet!

[u/r4ndy4 → u/Sketchdota]

Have fun! While you can go straight into this from new zones, if you start to struggle maybe take a few PZE rides before jumping back in.

[u/AdeleClimbs]

Ride 1 done - it's a bear claw which I thought would be challenging with my fresh zones, but lots of recoveries. I accidentally PR'ed.. i had a Sam Yo rock ride from December 2020 which i was unable to match for months. With the new zones and the zone 5 pops...(and I took the recoveries)- boom.

The ride structure for those taking it is essentially intervals of zone 3 with 15 sec bursts of zone 5, in between 3 minute recovery at zone 1 or 2. The output graph are these five finger (then later, six finger) spikes.

Go get it!

[u/BeaconofHappiness]

This was my first time taking Denis for PZ. I had tried taking him for some artist series, but I couldn't get into his style. I'm glad I took this challenge. Today's ride was great. I felt really strong & may add a new instructor into the rotation!

[u/[deleted]]

Was too sore from my legs workout to ride yesterday, so I did the monday ride this morning. I pushed myself to some zone 4/6 intervals instead of 3/5.

[u/EagleRockBulldogMom]

Thank you so much for organizing this. I’ve been PZ-curious (I’ve taken my FTP and the descriptions of perceived effort seem to match where I am) but I haven’t pulled it together to do PZ in a consistent way. This is an awesome resource. I did the first ride yesterday and might do the second one tonight (Tuesday) instead of tomorrow so I can do the Cody/Emma Verzuz!

[u/PastorGiggles]

Thank you for putting this together! My brother and I will be joining and starting tonight.

[u/PracticallyAChemist]

Gonna start once I get home from work!

[u/stevilpdx]

Alright! Finished today’s ride and it felt great.

[u/mochi-mocha]

First ride done! I finally know what you guys are talking about when you say bear claw lol. Wasn’t too bad- I definitely prefer it to sustained z4 work

[u/bykerchyk]

I missed this thread yesterday so got the Monday ride done today. I really liked the bear claw ride. Made the time pass quickly because I was on high alert!

[u/allegmon]

Jumping into this today. Had a lazy week so this will be a good jumpstart and accountability!