Got Power?

I'm not sure yet, I just started training with a power meter for the first time this week, thanks to Killa B. I did a field test (aka, the 8 min Carmichael Puke Test 2x) on Tuesday, to set my power zones. The results were interesting, and are the first data set with many to follow. I have been training with heart rate and perceived effort for the past year, and this is just another tool to use to refine my efforts. It will be fun to see where this takes things.
I have heard different sides of the training with power story. You have the old school guys saying perceived effort is all you need, and the other side swearing by the meters. Regardless of what you are using, you still have to go out each day and do the work.
Having the data from training, and racing will be nice in tracking progress. I'll let you know how it goes.
One thing I have learned thus far is my power to weight ratio (W/kg)at LT has gone up. Last year in May it was measured at 2.6 at LT in the lab and by field test. I estimated it to be at 4.6 at LT from the field test results this week, which yielded an estimated threshold power of 275 W. Now I know this might be slightly off as the estimate from the field test is difficult to compare to lab work, but it is the best indication of progress I have thus far. I'll be doing a 20 min TT effort soon to see how those numbers look. Later this summer I have a session down at Carmichael for the lab LT test also. Ahhh, the numbers game starts.