frenchyge said:
So... here's a question on pursuit pacing. Judging from the the 2 graphs (Phil's v. Alex's), I'd guess that Alex has the greater VO2max, while Phil has the greater anaerobic capacity. Is that the reason why the two well-paced (blue) lines have such different shapes (Phil's rises quicker to a plateau, while Alex's builds slower and longer)?
It looks that way, although my line does not reach the same absolute level of O2 deficit that Phil's does so I wouldn't necessarily draw that conclusion.
I'll start with VO2 Max:
Neither of us have undertaken formal lab VO2 Max tests (but as it so happens, Phil has recently employed a exercise physiology student at Sydney Uni and it looks like we'll both be able to do one at some stage soon). Still, a well paced pursuit is a pretty good proxy with the quasi-plateau in power attained being a reasonable indicator.
Let's see, in power terms:
Average power from the 120 second mark to the finish for the IPs:
Phil - 4.43 W/kg
Alex - 4.39 W/kg
so not much in it so it doesn't indicate I have higher VO2 Max (per kg).
(I have another file a few weeks later has me at 4.58W/kg for the same time period)
I can't really tell you the difference in VO2 Max terms as I don't know our relative efficiencies. For the purposes of this exercise, Andy assumed a 22.5% efficiency and since each plot uses the same number, it doesn't matter for comparing my rides to myself.
As to differences in AWC, I don't have Phil's power profile nor Critical Power data as validation for such an assumption of the potential difference between us but given we have established a limited VO2 Max difference and Phil attained a higher O2 deficit, then yours is a reasonable assumption.
Again, in power terms, for the first 30 seconds of the IP used:
Phil - 7.93 W/kg
Alex - 7.04 W/kg
(remeber of course these are pursuit starts and not all out efforts for 30 seconds)
I know it sounds a bit silly but the IP plots are shaped differently because that how we rode the event.
frenchyge said:
Alex, are you forced to ramp up a bit slower because of your less than spectacular AC
Quite possibly but perhaps I'm being overly conservative? The pursuit file in question was one of several such rides I could have chosen to plot. In this case it was a well paced pursuit done in training a few weeks before State championships (and as it turns out is my current PB time). I plotted another which shows a very similar profile but haven't done the others (which I will do, especially a couple of more recent efforts, to see if anything has changed).
I am aware of my AWC limitation but here's the rub - I have pretty good NMP (it's the high point in my power profile but it doesn't compete with the true track sprinters in my State - remembering I race/train with world level masters sprinters). That's where the start gets tricky for me - I am capable of putting myself into the red zone very easily.
frenchyge said:
and find that your competitors are frequently attacking you hard at the onset of a race?
I rarely have trouble with this. Partly because I'm attentive and also because my NMP is pretty good (and highly repeatable) so it takes some doing for me to get gapped sufficiently not to take advantage of the draft. My crit files show that repeatedly. Perhaps my competitors also have similar capacities? Also, it often pays to be the one that does the attacking
.
frenchyge said:
Do riders try to determine their ideal pacing based on physiological characteristics, or is it just "get up to target speed quickly and then hang on?"
Smart riders/coaches would take an individual's characteristics into account. But that's where the art comes in. Race day motivation (done right) can play a big part in finding that something extra.
In general, you overshoot your target speed at the start but only slightly as otherwise you are wasting energy fighting wind resistance and will lose out in the final kilometre. Since you maintain some kinetic energy when crossing the finish line, there is some merit to pacing in a way that sees you slowly lose pace through the event. Around 1 sec/km perhaps, maybe less.
If anyone saw Sarah Ulmer's ride at the Olympics and in particular her breathing immediately following the event, then they'll know the result of thoroughly testing your MAOD.
