A new ending.

Today marks the end of an eight-month training period on Xert.
I started using the dynamic software, with great success I might add, reaching new highs and breakthroughs consistently.
Racing in Zwift, I won some races and PRed on an ongoing basis.
Yet, something was missing.

Xert, being "dynamic" will let you slack off. You can indicate your fatigue level and remain stuck in Endurance training for the entire program, or have only a handful of quality, high-intensity workouts.

Also, Xert will ask you "what type of rider do you want to be..." playing to strengths rather than focusing, or clearly identifying, weaknesses to improve.

Other than that, which can be solved with a strong will and headstrong obedience, the biggest missing element is Strength. 

By Strength, I mean weights and (lean) muscle building, integrated with a cycling training plan.
I could never get both to sync even though I can train anyone on the bike, and have years of experience in the gym. Getting both to the same cadence rarely worked. Actually, using Friel's Bible some twenty years ago, it worked like a charm, but the plans these days are paced differently and it's just too much to think about when planning, at least for me.
Since I'm not doing the Bible's base-build-peak-race-transition plans, rather opting for high intensity, low volume (you know, three kids and working from home) the book's strength program is obsolete. 

It's a delicate dance that needs a good choreographer.
So....
Enter The Sufferfest.
The promise: one app. Everything you need.
SUF offers integrated Cycling and Strength plans (and yoga and mental conditioning).
You basically get the plans to add to your trainingpeaks.
They all start on the same day, so synced perfectly, even telling you if the strength session is before or after the ride. One of the oldest questions known to mankind.
But, you gotta start with their benchmark test, AKA Full Frontal.
This potentially excruciating experience needs a week's training plan of its own.
So here goes.
I'm going to document my progress, the full frontal 4DP test and the subsequent plan and progress.
In about 12 weeks, upon completing the plan, I'll test again and we'll see, quantitatively results from the Sufferfest training plan, all-inclusive.
In the next post, I'll update you with some data and a snapshot of my current fitness signature in preparation for the upcoming test.