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Computrainer PIG Review

It's been twenty-two weeks since I took the first CP30 test (I know, the program is only twenty weeks long but there were some hiccups along the way) and I thought I would look back and see how it went.

First, the program is hard. If you're not going to be serious and committed, you shouldn't start.

Second, I think I did pretty good. In my first CP30 test, I averaged 193 but not satisfied with the effort, I retested a day later and achieved 224. My best CP30 test was 255 which represents an increase of 13.8 percent. The program promises a ten to twenty percent improvement so I guess it worked for me. Would I have like to been better, of course, but I know as a triathlete and with a full-time job, twenty percent is going to be hard.

The interval sessions were the hardest for me, especially when the interval was longer than five minutes. I struggled with maintaining the intensity for the longer durations. Under five minutes was just fine.

The tempo sets, both the long intervals in the last weeks and the long steady tempo sets were perhaps my best sets. I had the ability to get into a rhythm and just ride.

If you're a trithlete and attempting the PIG, I recommend doing it during the off season when you can reduce your running to maintenance levels. If you try to maintain high intensity running and PIG, I think you will get injured or either the PIG or run training will suffer.

Over the next couple days, I will be working on a modified PIG to use during the season as I build up my running and swimming. My goal is to incorporate so workouts based upon Daniel's, Coach Troy and Progressive Power. The goal is to continue to improve during the season and then try for another ten to thirteen percent improvement next winter.

Computrainer Week 20 PIG Test

Time for the last PIG test to measure how much I improved over the last twenty-three weeks. Ok, I know PIG is twenty weeks but it took me twenty-three to complete it.

The goal was to go out easy and smooth, increasing the wattage every five minutes. The targets were to start at 240, increase each five by five and finish at 265. The first five went by at 251 so I tried to easy back a little, not explode and begin the increases at fifteen. The second five came in at 250 which was just about perfect. I went through fifteen at 252 which was still looking good. I tried to increase over the next five and actually slipped back to 251. Definitely not the direction to be going. Over the next five, I tried to lift the wattage and get back to where I wanted to be. I held the output even from twenty to twenty-five but that wasn't the goal.

Did the test come out the way I expected? Not by a long shot but what can you do?

Computrainer Tip

For the last few weeks, I've been having trouble tightening and loosening the tension on my Computrainer. If you're having the same problem, try a little grease on the trainer frame where the tension bolt hits the frame.

Computrainer PIG Week 20 Recovery

I've made it to the last recovery week and the last test set. It's a time for rest, easy spinning and mental recovery. The previous weeks have been some of the toughest I've had on the bike. In a few days, I'll see how much it's been worth.

Smoking Green Chili

Yesterday I smoked a pork butt. Two hours of hickory and eight more of slow cooking. Today it's into the slow cooker with chilies, onions, tomatillos, and tomatoes. Tomorrow will be the big tasting.

Computrainer PIG Week 19 Session 2 Tempo

Rocking hard set: twenty minutes at 255, five minutes recovery and then do it again. 255 is my CP30 so back to back makes this a rocking hard set. This also marks the last tough workout of the PIG program, just a long cruising endurance workout, a recovery week and then one last CP30.