Doing less power is okay.
So many times we look at intervals as pass/fail. Because of this when we can’t hit our numbers we often get frustrated and quit. Instead, just lower the power and keep going. It’s so simple, but so hard to do with the pass/fail mindset.
But it’s not a test, it’s practice.
We’re talking about practice, guys. Training is practice.
This isn’t the game.
If you’ve gotta do less, do less. That is what the pro’s do because consistency is the highest driver of growth, not perfection.
I remember watching my teammate at the time, Alberto Contador in training. He was one of the best ever in races, but also out of the races. Contador was so in tune with his body in training. I remember days at camp he would just sit up and go behind all the other climbers. He didn’t feel his best and put the ego to the side. Instead he would lower his zones to what felt right and still continued the workout.
That’s it. No drama. No “something’s wrong with me.”
Just adjusting, adapting, moving forward.
It’s a high-level skill to pivot.
It’s a high-level skill to do less when your body is telling you to.
We often just admire pro’s for how fast they ride, but that is simply the output to them doing all the details that make the difference. Use this pro detail and you will find yourself improving more over time just like they do.