Training & Nutrition - Training vs. Racing HR

I've determined my LTHR with the 30 minute TT then take the average of the last 20 minutes method suggested by Friel (and others). And I've used that to calculate my zones with Friel's method. Performing anaerobic intervals, it's very difficult to reach zone 5a and zone 5c never happens. My legs give out before I get there.

I did my first race (a crit) on Tuesday and averaged a full 10 BPM higher HR over my LTHR for 23 minutes before a crash in front of my caused me to lose the pack. My max HR was well in to zone 5c. In fact, I spent a total of 20 minutes in zones 5B and 5C.

So my question is, is it normal to run that much higher racing over training? Is it endorphines and adrenaline or am I just training lazy?

yes

Silly answer aside, did you rest/taper for your race. What duration anaerobic intervals are you talking about, and are you as rested when you do them as you were for the race?

Using the "TT" method I had figured my LT was in the mid 170s but I did a test (using gas exchange not blood lactate) it came out in the mid 160s. For longer steady intervals or really intense shorter efforts I will go above that.

It is quite possible that you are just training "lazy" and quitting when it starts to feel difficult instead of pushing through like you may have done in the race. A lot of training is getting accustomed to the "suffering". Also you may just need to use an easier gear.

Silly answer aside, did you rest/taper for your race. What duration anaerobic intervals are you talking about, and are you as rested when you do them as you were for the race?

Using the "TT" method I had figured my LT was in the mid 170s but I did a test (using gas exchange not blood lactate) it came out in the mid 160s. For longer steady intervals or really intense shorter efforts I will go above that.

It is quite possible that you are just training "lazy" and quitting when it starts to feel difficult instead of pushing through like you may have done in the race. A lot of training is getting accustomed to the "suffering". Also you may just need to use an easier gear.

Race came after a rest week. Thirty, sixty, and ninety second intervals don't seem to matter. Sometimes I'm more rested than others, but I never do hard intervals without a recovery day preceeding. On the road or on the trainer, I get similar results. The only time I can spike my HR is on four to five minute repeats on a hill with steep sections over 10%. But even that isn't much over the sustained HR I was able to maintain racing.

I don't race on my bike, but used to regularly participate in running racing. I could always race at faster speed & higher heart rate than I could sustain in training. I think it was a combination of tapering for the race and adrenaline (sp?).

Dan

Race came after a rest week. Thirty, sixty, and ninety second intervals don't seem to matter. Sometimes I'm more rested than others, but I never do hard intervals without a recovery day preceeding. On the road or on the trainer, I get similar results. The only time I can spike my HR is on four to five minute repeats on a hill with steep sections over 10%. But even that isn't much over the sustained HR I was able to maintain racing.

Well the fact that you rested for a week for the race compared to a day for the intervals is likely the main reason. However it is also probably just motivational, if you are able to spike your HR on a steep hill that is forcing your effort.

Although I will say that I went back and looked at my best 1 minute and 5 minute (power) efforts and my HR never went above 184 and I've hit 192 in a race.