The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS
Should You Trust Your Recovery Score?
Sep 28, 2026 · 25 min · 11 segments
Your wearable gives you a recovery score every morning, but how much should that number influence your training? Adam Pulford breaks down the information coaches actually use when evaluating…
Your wearable gives you a recovery score every morning, but how much should that number influence your training? Adam Pulford breaks down the information coaches actually use when evaluating readiness, including subjective feel, life stress, recent training load, sleep, resting heart rate, and HRV. He also explains why he pays far less attention to proprietary readiness scores and detailed wearable sleep metrics, and why trends are often more useful than one morning’s score. **HOST** Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world. **Free Cycling Training Assessment:** https://trainright.com/cycling-training-assessment-welcome/ **Interested in working with a coach? Schedule a free consult:** https://trainright.com/coaching/cycling/ **Self-coached athlete? Check out our TrainRight Membership:** https://trainright.com/membership/ **Find more free resources here:** https://trainright.com/blog/ **Resources:** - Miller, Sargent & Roach, 2022 — Validation of six wearable devices - Dial et al., 2025 — Nocturnal RHR and HRV validation - Schyvens et al., 2024 — Systematic review of wearable sleep accuracy - Manresa-Rocamora et al., 2021 — HRV-guided training meta-analysis - Steve House/Uphill Athlete — Practical coaching interpretation - Jason Koop/CTS — Practical HRV recommendations - https://trainright.com/practical-heart-rate-variability-recommendations-for-ultrarunners/?utm\_source=chatgpt.com - Marco Altini — Wearable HRV measurement critique - https://marcoaltini.substack.com/p/trusting-the-right-tool-for-the-job?utm\_source=chatgpt.com - TrainingPeaks — WHOOP integration documentation - TrainingPeaks — Oura integration documentation - TCC HRV Interview with Jason Koop: - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-time-crunched-cyclist-podcast-by-cts/id1494799053?i=1000625446661 - Using Subjective Feedback to Drive Performance with Natàlia Balagué and Lluc Montull | Koopcast Episode 155 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/koopcast/id1489494447?i=1000587345880 - The Case For HRV with Marco Altini: - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/koopcast/id1489494447?i=1000544394187
Your wearable gives you a recovery score every morning, but how much should that number influence your training? Adam Pulford breaks down the information coaches actually use when evaluating…
