The Black Hole

One of the latest discussions over on the Wattage group has been focused around the best method for raising FTP. Are there seems to recognized approaches. The first is the old tried and true method SLD or slow long distance, despite the latest trend to shorter harder efforts this approach does work.
However it is very time intensive the recommended dose is 25hrs+ a week in zones 2-3. I understand this is the approach used by both Craig Gordon & Chris Eatough for their 24hr preparations. However for most people this just can’t work through other commitments, work, family, life. I know if I was even inclined to attempt this my wife would probably kill me after 2 weeks.
The other approach is revolves around SST (sweet spot training) and L4/L5 work. With the development of TSS (training stress score) and PMC it was calculated that SST returns the best buck for your time if you are a time limited person. This coupled with FTP intervals (2x20min) and can only train 10-15hrs a week still provides a very effective way to raise FTP. This approach has been nick named “Training for the time crunched cyclist” by Lance’s Coach Chris Carmichael.
Now there was a lot of backwards as to which approach was theoretically better, but what struck me as a comment about people who can stretch their training out to 19-22hrs a week. Where do they sit? What is the best approach for them? The LSD method won’t work as the time is too limited, but the SST approach is too intensive and can cause burnout.
So this time period falls into the black hole region, I know personally I only ever hit this amount of training on peak weeks and it is not somewhere I regularly visit. But for those that sit in this region it could be time to reassess your approach.