I started with Athletica mid this week. The only test it scheduled for me as part of test week was the MAF test.
I ran this MAF test today. The feedback from the AI coach was that I ran it in the wrong zone (mostly zone 1 pace). This is because my pace zones were automatically set by Athletica a bit aggressively.
I suspect this means my running critical pace is incorrect. But there is no 5K TT scheduled.
How do I get Athletica to properly schedule all relevant tests and set my zones correctly for me? (Or does it even matter if I do this or not?)
Hi @timwoolsey ,
I recommend doing the 5k test to help with your zones.
Your daily availability constraints likely prevented the test from being prescribed. To counter, I added you to our beta group that has a feature live called ‘global library’ that allows you to draw any session out of Athletica. So I replaced your Wednesday HIIT session with the 5k run test. Hope that can help with the zone calibrations. Let me know if you’d like me to remove you from the beta group.
Thank you! Glad to be a part of the beta. This fixed my problem. I appreciate it.
Separately - not related to this topic - I was going to have my S&C sign up for Athletica so that he could see my programmed runs. If he signs up, how do we link accounts?
Hi @timwoolsey … good stuff. Have your S&C sign up for a ‘coach’ account. Its free. Then link your account there under your main Setting Profile - coach email.
My training plan updated after I made a few tweaks to availability. It put me into a test week for this week and wanted me to do the MAF test again on Saturday.
I manually removed the MAF test since I had just done it and replaced it with a session from the global library. Will Athletica still use my MAF test from last week? Or do I need to put the MAF test back into the schedule and do it again?
Sorry for all the questions, just trying to make sure I am giving the software what it needs.
At this point @timwoolsey MAF tests are an FYI only. We’re working towards implementation in the future. So for now, the single test is good. Suggest to reassess again in 3 to 6 months using the same HR.
@Prof - Thanks for the info and all your help so far.
Another question for you. I ran my 5k time trial today. Came in at a 6:56 pace. Athletica correctly updated my critical pace to be 6:56. But - my pace zones are still pretty ‘off’. My Z2 pace is not manageable for me (while staying HR compliant).
Some of this is because of the Houston summers I run in, but I am curious how this would impact my training. One of the things I’ve already noticed is that my mileage is consistently less than the plan anticipates so I worry a bit about my load numbers.
For Z2 training, I ignore pace zones and focus on HR. I’ve found that over time (a couple of months for me) my pace at a Z2 HR is increasing and getting closer to the Athletica zone. But I also view it as Z2 pace shows what my pace might be on a track in 68 degree temperatures, not on an undulating road or in heat. The pace zones are more interesting/useful for intervals on flat stretches such as 30/30s (if not done on hills) or 4 minute VO2max intervals.
In short, I typically ignore pace in my Z2 runs and keep an eye on HR.
