QT2.0 Decision-Making Framework

QT2.0 Decision Framework

How We Choose the Right Training Block

This document explains how QT2.0 decides what to do next.

It does not explain weekly load, workout construction, or TrainingPeaks mechanics.

Those come later.

The Question We Are Always Answering

What training stimulus gives this athlete the greatest return right now?

  • Not what's interesting.
  • Not what we did last block.
  • Not what fits a calendar template.

Step 1: Anchor the Athlete

Everything begins with Critical Power (bike) and Critical Speed (run).

From testing data:

  • Calculate CP / CS
  • Use the 3-minute average (bike), and the medium-distanced effort (run) as proxies to estimate pVO₂max / sVO₂max
  • Calculate the ratio:
    CP : pVO₂max
    CS : sVO₂max

This ratio defines the athlete's current physiological state for each discipline.

Step 2: Identify Physiological State

Using the CP:pVO₂ or CS:sVO₂ ratio:

  • Anaerobic state → ratio < 85%
  • Balanced state → ratio 85–88%
  • Aerobic state → ratio > 88%

This tells us where the limiter lives right now.

Set this information aside.

It will be used unless overridden by practical needs.

Step 3: Apply Practical Overrides

Before choosing a block, we ask:

Use a Base/Durability block if:

  • The athlete is starting a new macrocycle
  • The athlete is returning from injury
  • You have concerns about durability relative to race demands

Use a Specificity block if:

  • The athlete is within ~6 weeks of a key race
  • You have concerns about execution at race intensity

If one of these applies, physiology does not override practicality.

If none apply, proceed to Step 4.

Step 4: Choose the Training Block

Now physiology drives the decision.

If bike/run is in an Anaerobic physiological state:

Build/TH
Objective: raise CP / CS
Strategy: pressure from below + slight pull from above

If bike/run is in an Aerobic physiological state:

Choose between:

  • VO₂ Max block if:
    • Athlete can tolerate high intensity
    • You believe pVO₂max / sVO₂max can move
  • Build/TH (Lengthening) if:
    • Athlete is injury-prone or fragile
    • VO₂ work is unlikely to move the roof
    • Goal is to strengthen CP/CS durability (TTE)

If bike/run is in a Balanced physiological state:

Choose based on context:

  • Base/Durability → durability concern
  • Specificity → execution concern
  • Hybrid → no major limiter; move ceiling and roof together

What This Framework Does Not Decide

This framework does not determine:

  • Weekly TSS targets
  • How aggressively to load the week
  • When recovery occurs
  • Workout structure or interval design

Those decisions are handled by StressLogic and execution standards.

Key Principles for Coaches

  • Block selection is a decision, not a preference
  • Physiology guides direction; practicality sets boundaries
  • We solve one primary problem at a time
  • Changing blocks changes stimulus more effectively than stretching blocks too long

Bottom Line

If you:

  • Anchor CP / CS correctly
  • Identify physiological state accurately
  • Respect practical constraints
  • Choose the block that addresses the primary limiter

Then the training direction is correct.

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When using the below graphic, Step I starts off at Step 2: Identify Physiological State, above.