Whats the point of doing zone 4 workouts if theyre not tailored to the specific demands of your target race, and why do so many coaches and training plans seem to ignore this obvious fact, instead relying on generic, one-size-fits-all interval sessions that may or may not actually prepare you for the unique challenges of your goal event.
Isnt it time to move beyond the simplistic, cookie-cutter approach to zone 4 training and start incorporating more nuanced, event-specific workouts that take into account factors like course terrain, weather conditions, and the unique physiological demands of your target race.
For example, if youre training for a hilly, technical crit, shouldnt your zone 4 workouts include more high-intensity, short-duration efforts to simulate the repeated accelerations and decelerations youll encounter on the course, rather than the traditional 4-6 minute steady-state intervals that may not actually prepare you for the specific demands of the race.
And what about the role of pacing in zone 4 workouts - shouldnt you be practicing the specific pacing strategy you plan to use in your target event, rather than just riding at a generic, all-out effort for a set period of time.
It seems to me that the traditional approach to zone 4 training is not only outdated, but also fundamentally flawed, and that a more event-specific approach is long overdue.