If the race is important to you, nothing new on race day!
Do not be tempted to try that snack new bar in the vendor village. You have trained hard for this event so no point screwing up your chances by putting something in your system that may not agree with you, or not digest properly leaving you feeling sluggish, or worse, with digestive issues.
Breakfast
You will need to be prepared to consume a few hundred calories in the morning to ensure that you start the day right and end up properly fuelled to begin the event. *This may be hard for some athletes, so be sure to practice prior to the event.
Breakfast should be easy on the stomach so it needs to be low in fibre and easily digested. Stick with simple carbohydrates again like a bagel or even rice, possibly some fruit and just a little bit of easy to digest protein like egg or nut butter.
Include your normal coffee/caffeine routine.
In an ideal world you would finish breakfast 2 hours before race start and once you have eaten you should aim to consume 500ml of water every hour until you are out on course.
Race Start At the 10 minute countdown to race start, you should be drinking 1/2 to full bottle of sports drink or a sports gel plus water for a final carbohydrate boost. Do not take the gel without water as it will not digest well.
Avoid taking in this fuel in the 30-60 minute pre-start window as you will lose the benefit of the boost and are more likely to suffer a drop in blood sugar at race start.
Front Half of the Race In the “front half” of the race (especially the early stages) your gut is able to absorb the nutrients much easier than when your body begins to shut down blood flow completely to the gut in the closing stages of the race.
In the closing stages your body will be sending all blood flow to your working skeletal muscles, which means limited flow will be sent to the gut and this often results in those dreaded GI issues.
A common mistake people make is going too hard in the early stages and then failing to hydrate and refuel efficiently. This leads to a big drop off in performance thanks to the combination of fatigue, dehydration and low energy.
General Rule of Thumb Endurance athletes should aim to eat 60-90 grams of carbohydrate per hour during their event. You will need to practice and experiment to see what exact levels work for you.
Fluid Intake Your fluid intake plan needs to take into account the hourly amount of fluid you need (example, some athletes need about 1 litre/hour to match their sweat rate – others need half that amount and some need nearly double that). *The only accurate way to really know is to perform a sweat rate test which means taking pre and post body weight checks when racing in similar conditions and intensity as you have on race day
Ensure you have practiced with your chosen electrolyte fluids and that it has enough of the critical component; sodium 800 mg/litre of fluid is a good “starting” amount. If racing in particular hot conditions this may need to be closer to 1000-1,500mg/litre while some people suffice with only 400-500mg/litre,
Back Half of the Race The total fuel intake here is typically lower. However, you still need to ensure you are maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance (again – the importance of sodium) and going with more fluid energy intake, rather than eating bars/chews.
Consuming a caffeine liquid, such as a flat coke on the last couple of laps is common place in endurance sports such as Ironman and can be beneficial but I generally wouldn’t recommend starting to drink coke until you’re at least half way through the back half. Ideally you would, if needed, consume something like this in the last 10K to 10 miles.
There Three Big Mistakes
Not hydrating early enough. If you wait to start your hydration plan this can result in early dehydration. This can have a huge negative impact on your race as your body then has a reduced ability to process fluids and fuel for the rest of the day.
Not having enough sodium in your fluids. This means you do not ingest enough sodium which at best can cause bloating and at worst, potentially dangerous hyponatremia (low blood sodium) which can result in coma and even death.
Taking on too much fuel and/or taking on too much fuel in one go. If the body needs to work at digesting food it will divert blood flow away from the working muscles to the digestive system and your race will suffer.
Beyond the Numbers: Why FTP is Your Cycling Game-Changer
Whether you are a keen Indoor Cycle Class Go-er, or a serious triathlete / cyclist this is one for you to read!
My journey from a basic Indoor Cycling Instructor to a Power Trainer and then a qualified Ironman U Certified Coach has transformed not just my approach to coaching but also the measurable results my class members and athletes alike achieve. Through advanced certification with industry leaders I’ve gained insights that have revolutionised my ride profiles and delivery.
The proof lies in the numbers. Every quarter, my team measure their Functional Threshold Power (FTP), a crucial metric that serious cyclists live by. This isn’t just another cycling statistic – it’s the golden standard of cycling performance, one that experienced riders know and track religiously.
Gone are the days of guesswork and subjective improvements. What we do now is backed by data, driven by science, and most importantly, delivers consistent, verifiable results.”
Understanding FTP: Your Key to Measurable Progress
What is FTP? Functional Threshold Power (FTP) is your cycling power output measured in watts. Think of it as your cycling engine’s horsepower – a precise measurement of what you can deliver to the pedals.
Breaking it Down In technical terms, your FTP represents the highest average power you can sustain for a full hour. It’s your sweet spot between intensity and endurance – your cycling cruise control, if you will.
Why FTP Matters In the world of cycling, FTP is more than just another metric – it’s the gold standard. Here’s why: It provides an unambiguous measure of your cycling fitness It enables precisely calibrated training zones It offers objective proof of your progress
Beyond the “Feel Good” Moments Sure, beating your riding buddy up Box Hill or setting a new Strava segment record feels great. But these victories, while satisfying, can be influenced by countless variables – weather, rest, nutrition, or even your friend having an off day.
FTP cuts through these variables. When your FTP number rises, there’s no debate: you’ve gotten stronger. It’s cycling progress quantified, pure and simple.
Getting Started: The FTP Test
Ready to discover your cycling potential? Welcome to the world of FTP testing – 20 to 60 minutes that cyclists simultaneously respect and dread. Let’s break down your testing options.
Testing Protocols
The Classic Hour Test The purist’s choice: Ride as hard as you can for 60 minutes, and your average power is your FTP. Simple in theory, brutal in practice. While this delivers the most accurate results, it’s mentally and physically demanding enough that most cyclists opt for shorter alternatives.
The 20-Minute Test The most popular method: After a proper warm-up, ride at your maximum sustainable effort for 20 minutes. Take 95% of your average power, and you’ve got your FTP. It’s shorter, more manageable, and still remarkably accurate.
The 5-Minute Test The quick alternative: Give it everything for 5 minutes. This should still be done after a thorough warm up! Your FTP will be approximately 85% of your average power. While less accurate than longer tests, it’s a useful benchmark when time is tight or you’re just getting started
*The 5 minute test is the method I use for testing in my Indoor Cycle Classes and is part of a full 45 minute class profile where the test is completed between minutes 32 and 37. This means it more accurately replicates a longer test, giving a more robust results without putting class members through a true trial, which most would not enjoy.
Where to Test
Indoor Options
Smart trainers or power-equipped indoor bikes Controlled environment for consistent results Perfect for year-round testing Available at many modern cycling studios
Outdoor Testing
Typically yields slightly higher numbers Requires a bike with a power meter Need a flat or steady climb with minimal interruptions Weather and traffic dependent
Remember: The most accurate test is the one you’ll actually complete. Choose a protocol that matches your experience level and time constraints, but stick with it for future tests to track your progress reliably.
FTP Test Calculations: A Practical Guide
Let’s walk through real-world examples for each testing protocol:
60-Minute Test
Example: Average power over 60 minutes = 200 watts FTP = 200 watts (no adjustment needed) This is your baseline FTP – the gold standard
20-Minute Test
Example: Average power over 20 minutes = 220 watts FTP = 220 × 0.95 FTP = 209 watts The 5% reduction accounts for the shorter duration
5-Minute Test
Example: Average power over 5 minutes = 280 watts FTP = 280 × 0.85 FTP = 238 watts The 15% reduction compensates for the ability to sustain higher power over shorter durations
Body Comp Stats Weight: 76kg (-2.2kg) Body Fat %: 29 (-+2.6) Muscle %: 33.4 (+0.3)
Mon: 12.15pm Total Body Conditioning
You know the drill as well as I do now… Monday = Row, Bike, Ski. This week we had a little twist, meaning we also did a little bit of running. We worked in 5 minute intervals on each piece of equipment with each interval starting with a 400m run. No rest, so a full on and intense 35 minutes of pure engine work. Safe to say, I loved it!
Mon: 1pm 10 min Pull Up EMOM + 10 min Push Up EMOM
Getting back to working on a couple of basic upper body strength/gymnastic moves. 3 reps every minute on the minute. Pull Ups are banded and strict. Push Ups are full, which means chest and thighs to the floor.
Mon: 5.30pm CrossFit Class
Two technical movements in focus today; the Handstand Push Up and the Pistol Squat. Both things I suck at so it was good to have a bit of time to strip them back and work on some accessory movements that will help me progress. The workout was a 21-15-9 of Handstand Push Up, Box Jump Over and Pistol Squat. My progressions were DB Push Press and supported Pistol Squats.
Tue: 12.30pm Pool Swim
I decided to go back to basics in the pool. I had 400 meters to do so I did 50m every 2 minutes and used each interval to focus on a different thing; breathing, stroke pull, kick etc.
Wed: 6.45am Indoor Cycle Class
Week 2 of my 2020 programme so one last shot at ‘The Threshold’. Found it a little harder early in the morning but still got it done. I put the Coach By Colour on just to keep me honest!
Wed: 7.45pm 1 mile Run
This was meant to be a 5k zone 2 run but by the time I got out of the spin studio I only had 10 minutes left before the car park charges kicked in so I decided to just do a mile as something is better than nothing.
Wed: 12.15pm Total Body Conditioning
I was late to class which meant I had to just jump in as the workout had started. It was a partner workout but I had to throw down solo which meant I lost the rest part of a You Go – I Go. It was also the amazing Pamlaaa’s 40th birthday so she got to write the workout but she shared this honour with those that were there on time. It became an AMRAP; 40 reps of Burpee, Cal Row, Box Step Over, Cal Bike, Plate Cluster, Cal Ski Erg, Slamball and Devil Press.
Wed: 1pm CrossFit Class
A little bit of everything today with a 15 minute AMRAP of 40 Double Under, 30 Sit Up, 20 12.5kg DB Hang Clean & Jerk, 10 Jumping Pull Up. As usual the Pull Ups were the hardest bit so hopefully with some more focus and work these will start to get easier.
Thu: 9:30am Indoor Cycle Class
Because this was the first of my classes to start back in the new year it is always the first to experience the next week in my programme. This week was week 3, Feel the Burn. A conditioning class aimed at building endurance.
Thu: 1pm Pool Swim
800m to get done today. Still lots of rest as my breathing is still very laboured but I actually did a little bit extra and ended up with 850m. I’m really hoping it starts to get easier soon and I can start to put together more distance without needing to stop.
Thu: 6.30pm Coach By Colour Indoor Cycle Class
Second shot at ‘Feel The Burn’. Using the Coach By Colour system I managed to control the session better and get exactly the results I wanted from the session. Boom!
Thu: 7.30pm RPM Indoor Cycle Class
Swapped my instructor bike for a participant bike and once again did a double session to get a bit more time in the saddle.
Fri: 1pm CrossFit Class
I had planned to do the TBC class but swapped to the CrossFit Class as the workout was burpees and skipping, yum! As a class we also got to choose the gymnastic skill we wanted to focus on for the skill part of the session and between us we asked for Pull Ups and Handstands. Head Coach Toby took us through some really useful accessory drills we can do in our own time to help us improve both of these things. The workout was a short and sharp 7 min AMRAP of 2 Burpee, 30 Single Under, 4 Burpee, 30 Single Under, 6 Burpee etc etc etc. It was as spicy as expected but I really liked it.
Sat: 8am CrossFit Iron Duke Charity Row for Rowans
Once again our amazing CrossFit community, led by Team Cooley, came together to try and do a little bit of good and give something back. This was our third charity event and this time it was the ‘Row for Rowans’, the 2 million meter challenge. 20 teams of 4 rowing 100k each. Our team comprised of me, the Boy (my husband Carl for those that aren’t familiar with my blog yet) and two more of the lunchtime crew Claire and Olly. We split the 100k into 1k intervals and smashed the 25k each in just under 7 hours. We started at 8am and the last team to hit the finish line did so roughly 8 hours later. It was a long but brilliant day and currently, at the time of writing this post, our fundraising efforts are just shy of £8k for the amazing Rowans Hospice. I am so proud to be a part of this crazy, caring crew!
