Hi, I’m just starting week 5 of Phil’s Strava plan but have also been listening to your podcasts and reading articles on your website for a while before this and have made a few modifications to my diet which have resulted in some amazing changes.
Had been feeling bloated at times for a while and not really understood why, thought it might be bread/wheat related so stopped eating bread and switched to eating a daily salad with rocket and quinoa or rice and some form of protein.
Bloating has completely gone.
I’ve also dropped around a stone in weight (13 to 12) without really trying, I know you mention not trying to lose weight in the summer doing intervals but I haven’t really tried to lose weight, it’s happened as a side effect of making better choices and being conscious of portions and not snacking on crap.
I’ve also tried to get at least 8 hours sleep a night.
As a result of all these changes, my resting heart rate has dropped to the mid 40s from low 50s and I just feel like I have more energy all round.
These benefits have had a positive effect on the bike.
I don’t compete, just like challenging myself hence why the Strava plan appeals, I’ve set a PR every week on my chosen climb, and although road works started 3 weeks into the plan on this stretch of road I switched to another hill and have continued to set PRs.
Although I’m used to training with power indoors on a smart trainer, I’ve not trained with power outdoors until now.
It’s been a learning curve but I’m getting used to it, I did a trial 20 minute field test a week or so before the planned 20 min test and learned a lot between the 2 so was able to apply changes resulting in a better test and more realistic zones for the remainder of the plan.
The hardest thing to find around my area is a stretch of road with a steady incline or flat without junctions, roundabouts etc so the test is a little compromised because of this.
Knowing how to train with power has helped immensely when climbing as I know how much power I can sustain for a given duration and achieve the best result.
I’m keen to start another plan after this but what plan would you suggest next?
A rest week first?
As mentioned I like the continual feedback loop of the Strava plan where I get to test every weekend but is it better to switch to a SS plan for 6 weeks then back to Strava or hill reps etc after the SS?
Keep up the great work, this site contains a wealth of excellent information explained in a way that’s easy to understand.
