The One Thing Most Athletes Ignore
It’s early in the season, and everyone is buzzing about race plans, big goals, and training volume. There’s talk of new gear, epic workouts, and dream finish times. But there’s one conversation most athletes aren’t having—testing.
That’s right. While race day might feel far away, functional testing is the key to unlocking your best season yet. If you’re not testing now, you’re training blind.
Let’s break down why early-season testing is essential, how to do it right, and what it tells you about your fitness.
That’s right. While race day might feel far away, functional testing is the key to unlocking your best season yet. If you’re not testing now, you’re training blind.
Let’s break down why early-season testing is essential, how to do it right, and what it tells you about your fitness.
What Is Functional Testing & Why Should You Care?
Functional testing is a controlled, repeatable test you do in training—without a lab or fancy equipment. These tests measure your current fitness, define your training zones, and track your improvement over time.
At Endurance Nation, we keep it simple and effective:
At Endurance Nation, we keep it simple and effective:
- Bike Test: 20-minute FTP test or ramp test
- Run Test: 5K time trial
- Swim Test: 1,000m TT or 5x200m on set rest
Why does this matter? Because training is not just about logging miles. It’s about training at the right intensities so you improve efficiently—without overtraining or wasting time.When & How Often Should You Test?
Inside Endurance Nation’s OutSeason Plan, we test at:
Week 5 – Establish a baseline
Week 10 – Track mid-season progress
Week 14 – Confirm peak fitness before moving into race prep
By week 14, your numbers should be at or above your best from last year. That means you’re already starting the season at a higher level than before!
Key Takeaway: Testing isn’t about pass or fail. It’s about data-driven training—knowing what’s working, what’s not, and how to tweak your plan.
Week 5 – Establish a baseline Week 10 – Track mid-season progress Week 14 – Confirm peak fitness before moving into race prepBy week 14, your numbers should be at or above your best from last year. That means you’re already starting the season at a higher level than before!
Key Takeaway: Testing isn’t about pass or fail. It’s about data-driven training—knowing what’s working, what’s not, and how to tweak your plan.What Happens to Fitness Throughout the Season?
Here’s the truth about fatigue and fitness:
- Right now, your numbers might be higher than they’ll be later in the season. That’s normal—fatigue builds as training volume increases.
- That doesn’t mean you’re losing fitness—it means your body is absorbing the workload.
- When you rest and retest, your numbers return to peak levels.
What NOT to do:- Don’t chase your highest FTP or 5K pace in every workout. That’s a fast track to burnout.
- Don’t get discouraged if numbers dip slightly as the season goes on—it’s a sign your body is adapting to training.
What TO do:- Use testing to adjust zones so your training stays productive.
- Focus on building endurance and durability for race day.
- Trust that fitness comes back when you taper and rest.
The Bottom Line: If You’re Not Testing, You’re Guessing
If you haven’t tested yet this year, you’re training with no real sense of direction. Imagine planning a road trip without knowing your starting point—it just doesn’t work.
Your race goals are the destination. Testing tells you where you are.So, take the test. Get the data. Adjust your plan. And set yourself up for your strongest race season yet.
Ready to level up? Google Endurance Nation Functional Testing and start now!#TestTrainDominate #EnduranceNation #TriathlonTraining #FunctionalTesting #FTP
