Training With Power

I never talk about training concepts to much, but today...this post is going to be about the simple art of consistency.  This year I decided to coach myself.  I wanted to be in control of my workouts and my schedule.  One nice thing about my job as a personal trainer, is that I understand the concept of periodization. Last year, I spent a lot of time learning about power and this year I dedicated even more time learning about training and racing with power. 
I have read the book Training and Racing with a Power Meter cover to cover.  I have based my entire winter/spring training program on the reccomendations from this book.  I am still learning, but I have soaked up an incredible amount of information in the past 6 months and it has been a very successful journey.
My goal for 2010 is to break 60 minutes for a 40k time trial.  Last year, I raced the Monrovia Time Trial in May at 1:08 with an average power of 192.  Based on my weight, I am guessing that I need to be around 225-235watts to safely break an hour on a semi-windy day.  I don't know if this will get me to my goal, and I hope that it does because it's been hard work! I have improved my 20 minute power by about 35 watts since December and I have lost about 5lbs.  CONSISTENCY!
FYI...if anyone has any actual data, please let me know if my goal watts are off!
I have been doing 3 interval based workouts(VO2, Threshold and Tempo) and 3 endurance/active recovery workouts per week since December!  I have not missed one workout (unless I was sick).  I have given up runs, swims and naps to fit these workouts in.  The outcome so far?  I have improved my power drastically! 
Today was my first "test" on my time trial bike since I got my fancy new road bike.  It felt great!  I am doing an Olympic Distance Triathlon in Knoxville this weekend so it will be a good test for the legs in a time trial position. I am going to bank of the fact that it will be hilly, so i don't have any specific time goals--just power.
Last week was a great week and I set a new 30min and 60min peak power record.  Today, was a new 20 minute power record, so I am making headway towards my goal.  Whoop Whoop!  It was as great day:)
The best part about training with power is that it is objective.  It is just you, your bike and your power meter.  It is a true representation of how far you have come and how far you still have to go.  It gives you reasons to celebrate and it pushes you to achieve a bit more each workout.  It allows you to set mini benchmarks that lead to an end.  An end?  Yeah, I know...there is never really an end.  But, with each major milestone, we become stronger, faster and more confident.  Happy training!