𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫
Threshold Power is an important representation of your running fitness.
You can use it to track improvements as you train for an event.
Identifying Threshold Power uses specific test protocols. These rely on regular maximum effort runs, which you should include as part of your training.
𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐬
The three most commonly used protocols are a Critical Power test (CP), modelled Functional Threshold Power (FTP) and Automatically calculated Critical Power (Auto-CP).
The three protocols differ but are similar in their approach and purpose – they:
🔹 use the results from two or more maximum effort runs at differing durations
🔹 identify a power level that’s close to (or within) your threshold
𝐌𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐦 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐬
The test protocols rely on maximum effort runs. These are runs at the highest effort you can maintain for a specific duration.
For example, your 3-minute maximum effort is the maximum power you can maintain for 3 minutes (elapsed).
𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫
There may be times when maximum effort runs won’t be possible, for example if you’re new to running, or you’re recovering from injury.
In which case, you can estimate your threshold power with easy runs, but you should only do this until you can complete maximum effort runs.
𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆 𝑹𝒖𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓?
For more information on the CP, modelled FTP and Auto-CP protocols, please see A Compendium of CP and FTP Resources, part of the Palladino Article Library.
