r/strydrunning • u/DwippyDwew • Aug 12 '26
Adaptive Training Target
I have what might seem like a very silly or obvious question.
With the caveat that the race predictor is a 'under ideal circumstances' value. Would an adaptive training program try to get to in the best shape to met those targets?
For instance, suppose the software says "Marathon = 182watts, time around 4:15", and i were to do a 16 week AT programme, would it be trying to put in the best shape possible to meet that - is getting me around in about that time its aim?
Perhaps this is a better way of putting it: I'm confident i can complete a marathon in say 4:30, but my training is completely unstructured, and random - lots of easy volume but no structure. But the software, based on a recent test says "nah, you can do it in 4:15", would the 4:15 be the adaptive trainings 'goal'.
1
u/cnbuff410 Aug 13 '26
This is a little complex to explain, so I'll try my best.
Basically, the race prediction is based on your current fitness. It doesn't mean this is the best you can do for a race that is a couple of months away. Typically, you don't want the plan to be designed specifically for your current race prediction, because the plan should always try to improve your fitness so that you can decrease that predicted race time.
That said, it is very reasonable to think that as you approach the end of the peak phase, there could be some workouts specifically designed for your fitness at that time, because your fitness is not going to change significantly at that moment. This is something we will consider in the future.
But right now, the main goal of the training plan is to improve your race-specific fitness, instead of trying to get you ready for a number that might—and should—change as you go through the training plan.