I have started a base/build/peak xata training today and xert gives magic buckets with a difficult of 138 to me in the base phase. How is this possible?
No one has any ideas? I’ve been road cycling for a while, but I’m new to structured training and thought that the base phase was only supposed to involve endurance rides. That’s why I’m surprised that xert is still giving me high and peak buckets.
It used to be BBP logic started the next day when configured with the default target date of 120 days from today.
Now it appears it is not kicking in until two days later. I’ll report the bug.
In the meantime, set your TED (target event date) to 118 days out or wait until tomorrow. 
It’s also a good idea to validate your signature before starting a long base phase where you won’t be expressing max efforts to failure unless you override the Advisor.
Consider shooting for a BT (outdoors or indoors) before starting the program.
Ah, okay, I understand. It takes a day with 120 days planned. It’s actually switched over now and is showing 0 for both high and peak. But I’ll still do a Breakthrough workout on Saturday, as you recommended. I’ll switch back to Continuous now, and on Sunday I’ll change it to 117 days Base/Build/Peak.
Thanks for the explanation.
EDIT: And if I understand correctly, it’s best if I set the decay method to “none” during the base phase.
Ok I have set the decay method to none. When should I do a breakthrough test again? Right after the base phase? If I set the decay method back to optimal after the base phase, there is a drop of my TP, right?
Yes, you’ll likely see a drop in TP when you switch decay back to optimal.
You’ll want to do a BT test to make sure you’re dialed in as you begin Build phase.
Okay, thanks for the reply. I’ll stick with Continuous for now. Since I don’t have any events scheduled or have any planned, and I might occasionally ride a race on Zwift, my focus is more on improving my overall fitness, performance, and endurance. Depending on external circumstances and my schedule, I’ll do continuous for about 4-8 weeks, then take a week or two for recovery/endurance, shift my focus, and start again.
I’ve set signature decay to optimal and will run a breakthrough test approximately every four weeks. During the recovery/rest week, I’ll set signature decay to “none.” I think this will allow me to effectively use XERT for my goals.
What do you think?
1 Like
TBH, I don’t think switching decay methods will be necessary for you. Most of the existing advice on switching decay settings was made when signatures would continually decay without max/breakthrough efforts.
However, we made a significant improvement to how signature decay works back in Nov 2023 so that all signature decay settings will track with your training load after a few weeks, even if you’re not on “No Decay - Training Load Matched”.
I’ve been on slow decay for several years by this point and it’s done a great job of tracking the ups & downs of my fitness over that time:
One thing I would add… The signature decay tracking improves as you achieve more breakthroughs over time, which can be a benefit to pushing for them more frequently.
Ok, thank you very much for the detailed answer. Breakthrough attempts are fun for me anyway, then I will try them more often now and set the decay method to slow and leave it at that.
Hi @ManofSteele, You mean small Decay instead of slow?
Small Decay was originally labeled Slow (pre-2023?) so you may see some of us long timers reference the older name now and then. 