If you pay for the PRO level (HRV app), then normal ranges are calculated and shown with baseline (below).
HRV with trend and normal range – you can pinch to show more daysMorning Resting HR with trend and normal range. COVID recovery was May 25 – June 11
Overnight and Morning are passive metrics – I’m either asleep or lying down. There are good reasons for passive assessments (see Marco’s articles linked at the end).
My advice, start collecting the morning metrics and learn your healthy baseline.
These baseline metrics were a big part of my being able to return to training relatively quickly after catching COVID (link is my day by day return diary).
My active readiness test is based on an Olympic Champion’s warm-up routine.
The 400w segments are done only in Threshold & Specific Preparation More in Nils’ Document Linked Below
SWEDISH ACTIVE READINESS TEST (SART)
I have been working with an Olympic Coach, Johan Röjler. Johan had the idea for me to perform a daily assessment based on NVDP’s warm-up.
My bike numbers are FAR below Nils’ level. However, the principles are the same.
Six minute steps
Start at 50% of “fit” Threshold watts
End at 65% of “fit” Threshold watts
Nils did his Threshold at 400 watts. At 53, I picked 300w.
The key isn’t the Threshold number.
What’s important is getting a 50%/65% number that is NOT demanding. You want to have a test you can get through at every level of fitness and fatigue.
I’m using 3 steps (150w/165w/180w). Power via Favero Assioma Duos and total test takes ~20 minutes. Johan is testing himself with a run-based protocol.
We are looking for heart rate suppression and “jumpiness.”
Day One of the training cycle – we expect HR to be responsive and jumpy following the 2 off days
Across the micro cycle – we expect some HR suppression BUT when there is material suppression, combined with other factors (mood, HRV, MRHR, soreness, energy) we gauge the risk/benefit for loading
The chart shows two cycles – one where I pulled the plug after three days, and the other where I pushed through fatigue (D2 & D4) and finished strong.
The SART is a nice warm up. My total output is 200 kj and no matter how wrecked I am (see June 22 & 23 above) – the test is doable.
With Passive Metrics (HRV, MRHR), the Red & Strong Green days are obvious.
What’s less clear is the signal for the Yellow and Weak Green days. Yellow and Weak Green days are where I make most of my mistakes.
Our hypothesis is fatigue (not-readiness) will manifest via heart rate suppression at submax levels.
By learning my normal response to training, I can decide if I’m in a “better to rest” or “train through” situation. The idea being to back off when my body isn’t in a position to absorb more load.
My readiness metrics, when combined with my training log, let me see the sessions that most kick my butt.
Are those sessions “worth it”?
Could there be a more effective way of loading?
These are judgement calls and part of the art of loading.
Overall => make mistakes visible, and learn from them.
The Block phase lasts ~17 weeks – NVDP uses Swedish 5:2 loading implying (at most) 85 days “on” and (at least) 34 days “off”.
Across each Olympic Cycle, there are “85” days that are special. The other days are foundational & recovery.
Intense internal focus => at times, never for long.
Even for Superman, life mostly happens outside the arena
Some nuggets in the podcast:
Threshold Block:
early-week longer intervals set the work-rate across the week – recovery is added to preserve a good enough work rate – when work rate cannot be hit, recover
seek to gather TIME “fast enough” rather than progressing targets – key attitude for error prevention
Coaching expertise can help quantify “good enough.” NVDP carves most everything else away.
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Repeat The Week:
NVDP knows key sessions, by DAY, inside his 5:2 week
There is an early week expectation, and a late week expectation
Higher work-rates not always better – experience with bicarb letting him train “beyond the limit” forcing additional recovery the next week – [For me: a reminder to respect natural limits.]
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The Bike: I suspect we will see more athletes using supplemental cycling for fitness (metabolic, aerobic, threshold) – this would work for both running and swimming – if you are a “large” runner or a swimmer with limited access to pool time… then the bike seems life a useful supplement to your plan.
People are going to figure this out. Might you be one of the people? Athletes lead the process.
Clinicians: before you add “running”… keep the “walking” and add “cycling.”
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Always watching has a cost.
As NVDP says in the Manifesto… “There is a cost of everything.”
How much of my watching is making my team faster?
Might constant monitoring of The Work be creating a net-negative cost?
There will be times when you need to trust yourself and resist the urge to count.
In our own lives:
Project – where do I want to take myself?
Work – a long period of enjoying what it takes, with ample recovery
Block – 2-4 month focus-periods, every 3-4 years, intense focus, ample recovery
Session – what one thing, if you get right, will change everything?
The above approach, with buy in from your family, is VERY sustainable!
Feel The Byrn 
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