Training and Racing With A Power Meter (2nd ed.): Chapter 7

You can find the previous chapter reviews here.

Chapter 7: Beyond Average Power

This chapter introduces you to the core analytical training tools:  Training Stress Score, Normalized Power and Intensity Factor.  The chapter also introduces you to the Quadurant Analysis tool.  I've written posts on these topics before, thus don't really want to re-create the wheel.  You can find these posts at the following links:

Normalized Power

One item not covered in the NP post is the variability index.  This index measures the differences between average power and normalized power.  The higher the number, the more variable your ride (intervals, hills, etc.).  A high VI also implies that average power is has very little meaning for that ride.

Intensity Factor

Training Stress Score

Note: A training stress score of 100 implies the rider rode at FTP for 1 hour.

Quadurant Analysis Post 1 and Quadurant Analysis Post 2.

In order to be successful at racing, you must train in ways that match your races.  The Quadrant Analysis will help with this.  Look at the quadurant analysis from your last race.  Now compare that to your training.  If your training properly matches your racing, then the two QA should be relatively the same.

Below are some additional tools not included in the book:

Efficiency Factor and Decoupling