owl_girl's Group --- FULL! (Page 12)

Well it my rest day  and I will be gone all weekend so happy training every one  will update my logs when I return

Great swim Owl!

I swam 2000m this morning. I had to wait for 1/2 a lane to open so that I wouldn't be trying to circle swim with guys who are a bit too fast for me. It made me about 15 minutes late, but what the hey, it's Friday!

Tomorrow I get to take the new bike out for her virgin ride!

Well, it's in my log for yesterday, with pictures:

The frame is a 2005 Specialized Allez Comp and the components are all Ultegra, with a Ritchey stem, Sala Poco bars, and a Terry Falcon X saddle. The wheels are Cane Creek Volos with Specialized Mondo Pro tires. I need to mount the bottle cages and Garmin cadence senor. I'll add the aero bars later, after I'm used to how she handles.

I had them weigh it and it tips the scales at a little more than 18lbs, about 4 pounds lighter than the Specialized Sequoia I've been riding. Oh boy!

I just put the Terry Damselfly saddle on my tri bike.  I hope I like it as much as I like the Terry Butterfly on my road bike!  Terry saddles are pretty fantastic!

I've got a Liberator Gel on my commuter bike, TI Liberator Race Gel on my Sequoia, and now the Falcon X on the Allez. I love the Liberator Race. I hope I like the Falcon! Yeah, I love Terry saddles, too.

My butt hurts. I need to get one of those Gel things to put over the bike seat.

I did the hardest Spinning class of my life last night. The instructor asked us of we wanted a "endurance" or "interval" class, we all voted on endurance and paid for it.

Tonight is swimming and running and I expect to do Swimming, Cycling and Running on both days. 

Is this only on the spin bike, or does it also happen on your road bike? If your butt hurts on your road bike, chances are you need , Time In The Saddle. There's probably not a lot you can do about a spin bike since you can't choose the saddle.

I think the most I ever did on the trainer was 20 miles. 

A lot of wireless systems that read from the front wheel are not strong enough to also sense from the read wheel. I've hear that you can temporarily mount the receiver on your top tube or seat tube for sessions on the trainer. With many wired sensors the wire isn't long enough to reach to the rear wheel. Again, it ends up needing the receiver mounted closer to the rear. (been there, done that)

I got a wired sensor with a looooooong wire.  Still too much of a pain in the butt to get it hooked up so I just estimate my distance.  I know about how fast I ride so I don't worry about it too much.  Time In The Saddle is good enough for me.

Spinning bikes are quite a bit different than road bikes.  They do a pretty decent job of placing a rider in a typical road position, however, they are designed for all sorts of different body sizes, shapes, and genders.  A good road bike will fit you like a glove.  Unfortunately, the saddle that gets sold with a road bike usually sucks!  A good saddle is very important.  Don't skimp in this department.  Do your homework on different brands.  A couple of good brands are Terry and Profile Designs.  I, personally like a saddle with a cut out in the middle.  The cut out relieves an aweful lot of pressure.  I know some guys that like the cut out models, too.

Another suggestion for you is to pay attention to how you are riding the bike (Spinner or road bike).  Are you rocking your pelvis backwards causing more of your rear to be in contact with the saddle and also causing your lower back to round?

These are just some of my random thoughts!  Cheers!

Another random thought since we're on the Spinning subject!

I always log Spinning class as another sport.  I never log it as my cycle training.  The bikes are just to different.  I feel like I'm cheating myself.  I've even thought about logging trainer miles on the sports section.  (I'm not going to get that crazy!  That would mean that I would have to log treadmill miles in the sports section, too!)

I don't think the bike computer on the trainer is very accurate.  It is difficult to get a "real road" feeling on a trainer.  They are great for working on your cadence and for single leg drills and just plain time in the saddle.  Rollers (like Nicole got) are HARD to use!  She has to use her own balance to stay up on those things.  You don't lock your bike into it.  Trainers come in three different types: wind, magnetic, and fluid.  Fluid trainers are supposed to be quieter and "feel" more like the road.  Unfortunately, they can leak all over your carpet.  Magnetic trainers are noisy but they will last for a long time.  I don't think any serious cyclists use wind trainers but I may be wrong.

I totally agree with you regarding bikes at the gym.  It is a shame that they overestimate calories burned.

Steve, how is the elevation treating you now?  Have you re-acclimated?

Sounds like you are used to the altitude!   Great run!  You are doing an amazing job of training with all the responsibilities and challenges that surround you.  Congratulations!!!

I'm making a mental note of your half mary in mid March.  You should put it on your list of races.  You might want to think about the Humboldt Redwoods Marathon in October.  It is at sea level (so you would do fantastic) and the weather is cool.  Sometimes it is foggy and/or raining.

http://www.redwoodsmarathon.org/

Hope you have a great bike ride!  Cheers!