Long-distance triathlon glossary·Z4

Zone 4 : Lactate threshold

Load

Intense training zone around the lactate threshold (about 90-105% FTP), where lactate production begins to outpace clearance.

Zone 4 corresponds to an effort intensity around the lactate threshold : the point at which lactate production exceeds the body's ability to clear it. In cycling, this is typically 90-105% of FTP; in running, it is roughly threshold pace. Zone 4 sessions last 20-40 minutes continuously, or break into 8-15 minute intervals. It is the most specific training zone for improving threshold power or pace.

In TriPaced:

In TriPaced, Zone 4 sessions appear in BUILD and PEAK phases : typically 'threshold pace' or 'threshold intervals' of 3×12 min. The plan avoids Zone 4 in recovery weeks and never stacks two threshold sessions within 72 hours.

Related terms

  • TSS : Training Stress Score
  • CTL : Chronic Training Load (fitness)
  • ATL : Acute Training Load (fatigue)
  • TSB : Training Stress Balance (freshness)
  • Sweet spot : the efficiency zone
  • Threshold : the upper sustainable limit