Heart Rate vs Power for IRONMAN Training + Altitude Training Explained | Ep 601 · Oxygenaddict Triathlon Podcast · Radar

Q&A: Racing Without a Power Meter5:53 – 15:48

5:53

All right then, let's jump into these questions.

5:56

Okay, so first question is from Tyler Ledford.

6:00

Tyler says, Hi Rob, I've been listening to the Oxygen Addict podcast for several months and your podcast has been the backbone of my preparation for Ironman California on October the 18th.

6:11

It'll be my first full distance race.

6:14

I genuinely can't thank you enough.

6:17

I've got three questions that have been on my mind.

6:20

Please feel free to answer any, all or none of them.

6:22

I know you get a lot of mail.

6:24

All right.

6:24

So first up, number one, racing without a power meter.

6:29

Is it possible? And how do I pace the bike just on heart rate alone? He goes on to say power meters are well outside my budget right now.

6:38

And I'm wondering whether I can race Ironman California effectively without one.

6:43

I understand the value of a power meter for pacing, but is heart rate a viable substitute at the full distance? If so, how do you approach setting targets and staying disciplined on a flat, fast course like Sacramento? Okay, so this is a super relevant question from, you know, lots of people have this question in the early days as well.

7:05

The first thing I would say is if you can possibly afford one, even if you can stretch to buy a used power meter, it is so, so worth it.

7:14

It will give you so much accurate feedback.

7:17

For race day, it's almost like cheating.

7:21

And for training, it will help remove so much guesswork.

7:24

And I'd reframe it like this.

7:26

We're currently mid-July as I'm recording this.

7:29

So to August to September to October, it's 12-ish weeks away for the cost of, let's say, we're probably looking at around 350 quid, I think, for a set of one-sided Garmin pedals.

7:43

So let's say that's $450 in the US.

7:46

If you divide that up over 12 weeks, you're looking somewhere in the region of, what, $30, $35 a week.

7:54

the amount of doubt that it's going to remove from your mind as to whether you're training correctly, I think is going to be worth that $30, $35 a week.

8:04

I honestly believe that.

8:06

Even more so if you can find a used set of used power meter pedals, maybe at half price on eBay.

Q&A: Racing Without a Power Meter5:53 – 15:48

5:53

All right then, let's jump into these questions.

5:56

Okay, so first question is from Tyler Ledford.

6:00

Tyler says, Hi Rob, I've been listening to the Oxygen Addict podcast for several months and your podcast has been the backbone of my preparation for Ironman California on October the 18th.

6:11

It'll be my first full distance race.

6:14

I genuinely can't thank you enough.

6:17

I've got three questions that have been on my mind.

6:20

Please feel free to answer any, all or none of them.

6:22

I know you get a lot of mail.

6:24

All right.

6:24

So first up, number one, racing without a power meter.

6:29

Is it possible? And how do I pace the bike just on heart rate alone? He goes on to say power meters are well outside my budget right now.

6:38

And I'm wondering whether I can race Ironman California effectively without one.

6:43

I understand the value of a power meter for pacing, but is heart rate a viable substitute at the full distance? If so, how do you approach setting targets and staying disciplined on a flat, fast course like Sacramento? Okay, so this is a super relevant question from, you know, lots of people have this question in the early days as well.

7:05

The first thing I would say is if you can possibly afford one, even if you can stretch to buy a used power meter, it is so, so worth it.

7:14

It will give you so much accurate feedback.

7:17

For race day, it's almost like cheating.

7:21

And for training, it will help remove so much guesswork.

7:24

And I'd reframe it like this.

7:26

We're currently mid-July as I'm recording this.

7:29

So to August to September to October, it's 12-ish weeks away for the cost of, let's say, we're probably looking at around 350 quid, I think, for a set of one-sided Garmin pedals.

7:43

So let's say that's $450 in the US.

7:46

If you divide that up over 12 weeks, you're looking somewhere in the region of, what, $30, $35 a week.

7:54

the amount of doubt that it's going to remove from your mind as to whether you're training correctly, I think is going to be worth that $30, $35 a week.

8:04

I honestly believe that.

8:06

Even more so if you can find a used set of used power meter pedals, maybe at half price on eBay.