Anaerobic Shortage After Following Suggested Workouts

So I found that my lactose threshold was set to the same as my max heart rate. Not sure if it's related, but I read that lactose threshold should be about 80 % of max heart rate. I updated this in the watch just now.

I think the question is how is anaerobic being measured? I probably have something set incorrectly.

Droogles said:

I think the question is how is anaerobic being measured

The watch is looking at the duration, intensity and repetition of intervals to determine the contribution from the aerobic and anaerobic systems. The intensity is as a % of VO2 Max pace/power and HR.

So there is no direct way to predict what the contribution will be. Some long easy runs as well as fast intervals can lead to anaerobic points.

Additionally, the final label of your workout could indicate a much lower type than your intent. This is because HR is lagging during very short intervals, typical of anaerobic workouts. So don't worry too much about the labels, look at the aerobic/anaerobic contribution

https://www.firstbeatanalytics.com/en/features/workout-labels/

Yesterday I did an extensive anaerobic interval workout (about 120% of VO2 max), ended up at 3.6/2.9 tempo label so just shy of qualifying for the >3.5/>3.0 anaerobic label, but in my book 2.9 is a decent anaerobic contribution :-)

Droogles said:

I think the question is how is anaerobic being measured?

In addition what Etupes25 wrote, there is also another similar article explaining in details how the Anaerobic Training Effect is being predicted by Firstbeat Analytics (the provider of the algorithms): Firstbeat Analytics - Training Effect: Anaerobic

Thanks for the info. Today, for the first time, the watch finally suggested a workout that's in alignment with the "Training Status". Although I doubt 20 seconds at 275 will do the trick. Will see:

Yes, let us know. I am curious to see how the training effect will register. The intervals look really short. Do you know your FTP?

My FTP is currently 181. Used to be higher but took half this year off. 

I did the anaerobic workout above in my photo yesterday and it counted as primary benefit = base, aerobic = 3.3 and anaerobic = 2.0. I think the intervals are too short. 

Today the watch suggested a 2 hour and 30 minute base ride, which I did, and now I'm back in an anaerobic shortage. Obviously, because Garmin suggested base, not anaerobic. If Garmin would suggest anaerobic, which actually resulted in anaerobic, I wouldn't be in a anaerobic shortage. Which seems to be the main issue here.

Seems like a poor algorithm to me.

Your anaerobic intervals were at 151% of your FTP which is consistent with anaerobic targets (150% to 215%), so the target was right, and you did train right.

Because the watch uses mostly HR, you probably didn't spend enough time in the >VO2 Max HR range to get the full anaerobic credit, and the watch gives you more aerobic credit that anaerobic. This happens often. Although the watch must be using more than time in HR zones info, because I can get "sprints" workout to register as "sprints" when I push to the high end of the target interval.

That said, you got some anaerobic points, and even long base rides can give you additional anaerobic points, so going after the anaerobic shortage doesn't mean doing only anaerobic workouts, thanks Goodness :-)

How do you get anaerobic points for base? My ride today definitely didn’t give many anaerobic points. I'm using a Wahoo Kickr bike which is very precise. Unless I'm ill, I can know what my HR will be for the entire ride.

Droogles said:

How do you get anaerobic points for base rides?

Here is an example. Mid-duration based ride outside around 170W, a couple of hard starts but very few (see at the very end?) and I got some anaerobic points.

Since these rides tend to have a high load, the little percentage of "anaerobism" still gives you a bit a credit there.

I cannot run fast these days, but I bet you can reproduce it with a base run and a few sprints in there (a la fartlek).

I see. Outdoor rides. That's why. I'm allergic to the cold, seriously, so I have to ride indoors. I let the watch control my trainer which doesn't allow any chance for anaerobic for me. I could free ride in Zwift and roughly follow the suggested workout, but doesn't make much sense. I hope that the watch dials this in over time and does a better job.