BigDH - Checking Off the Boxes - Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 20)

Run at the gym went well, I managed to do the full 5 miles that I wanted to do today (1st time in my life I can remember running 5 miles in a sitting).  This will be my peak distance for the rest of my program until my first race which is about 5 weeks away.  I went for a swim after and was going to do about 23 minutes (~1300 yards) but I was drained from the run and a night out with friends so I cut it a little short.

My week will be active recovery, so things should be pretty light.  How is everyone's week look?

I rode my 70.3 bike course today. The bike is supposed to be brutal and it didnt dissapoint. We started early'ish at around 8:30 with the temperature at 25c (77f). The course is very hilly and even worse is that a lot of the hills arent rollers where you get the benefit of momentum but just solid long grinders. The course has also been described as having the sting in the tail -the last bit being particularity heinous. I had rode this part of the course previously as part of my first triathlon and it was the most difficult ride I had ever done. I figured that I had done it before so I knew what to expect. Wrong. Two things, at the point where I hit "the tough section" I had already put 80+ hard km into my legs. Secondly was that the temperature had climbed to 29c (84f). My riding partner for the day had to stop and get off his bike and walk up one of the hills, he was getting dizzy and simply couldnt do the climb (and he had a tripple!) We ended out the climbs and set back to the car. In total the 95km ride took 3:20 averaging 28.5km/h, not bad but we should have been at least at 30km/h to put it into perspective Crowie did it in 2:19 last year (he also did some swimming and running that day) Oh and the LBS discovered a tasty 1.25 inch crack in my frame.

This week was supposed to be a hard core bike week with  3 or 4 commutes to work (480km to 680km total) but now im not too sure. I have been offered a Trek Speed concept 9 to try for a day from the LBS. I might use that for the indignity of a commute ride on that to "see if I like it" HA - Im sure it will be terrible!!!

This past week for me has been a rough one.  

After the high of my triathlon on Sunday, a nasty storm came through on Monday and knocked our power out.  It was a recovery day anyway for me, so I had no workouts planned.  We ate out for dinner and had a slumber party in the basement, where it was nice and cool.  The power came back on Tuesday morning before work, so that was a bonus.  But, my daughter came down with a stomach bug on Tuesday, which she gave to everyone else.  Me, on Wednesday and my wife on Thursday.  My son escaped, un-affected.  So, my Wednesday was shot and I missed a workout.  

Also, I was very sore beginning late Monday, specifically my hamstrings.  It took a few days for my legs to feel ok.  

Thursday, I got a light run in.  Friday night a bike.  The bad thing about the stomach bug was that I wasn't able to eat enough because nothing really sounded good and my stomach wasn't tolerating much.  I couldn't even handle a whole cup of soup.  

So that gets me to my Saturday run, which only lasted 2 out of a planned 10 miles because I hadn't eaten enough.  

By Sunday, I was feeling back to normal so I got a nice long run in finally.  Also, this past week was overly stressful at work.  

So, I'm hoping that this coming week works out a little better than the last.  Hope to start the week off tomorrow with a nice strength workout and a swim.  Have a nice week everyone! 

GT Tequesta, Specialized M2 Stumpjumper, Kona mtb bike, trek 7000, trek 1220, Klien Pulse Pro, Klein Attitude, Trek kids bike1, Trek kids bike2, Trek kids bike3 - Bikes I have purchased from either employees (2) or the shop. Tempted - not in the least for the 9 series I simply cant imagine justifying that kind of money for a bike, I think at that level you should be GIVEN the bike to ride, ie sponsored. The 7 series is a distinct possibility. I found a crack in the head tube of my bike so I am in the market unfortunately. 

Anyone racing this weekend?

I'm taking a long weekend with my GF so there won't be too much training.  I was going to do another run at the tri course on Monday.  But it looks like I won't be able to, I took my bike in this week for a tune up and they said it wouldn't be done until Tuesday so that's too bad.  Looks like I'll just run and swim instead.

Finally almost back from the DL due to gout attack while on Vacation in Burlington.  Went for my longest run yet - 2 hours. 

DaveL - I want a new bike.  Not going to get a tri - just a road bike.  I have 2 options - last year Trek or Cannondale Synapse with Carbon fork for 7-800.  Or, this year's full carbon for 15% from another shop (so, around $1800). 

I am also not sure if I will ever ride my old Cannondale Quick 4 commuter again - I still have my 22 year old mountain bike for winter/town/beater.  I had a decent offer for it and just can't decide.

Thoughts?  Is full carbon really worth $1000?

Darren - Hope all is well with the mom to be and the new little one.

Nick - 2 races the last 2 weekends, one sprint and one OLY relay.  Took 2nd in the Sprint in the Under 39 Clydes.  Our relay won the Coed division (ok, we were the only coed relay) and were the fastest overall relay.  I did the bike leg.

It's pretty hot here as well 92F (33C) today.  - We call that a cool front here!

Dave - Congrats on the new bike!  My local store is a Trek retailer so I haven't seen a Cervelo up close but they look like great bikes.

Ryan - I totally understand where you are coming from, after a hard race effort I find it very difficult to get back into my regular routine.

I start my HIM 20 week training program Monday as well as going back on the Abs Diet to try and get my weight back down. 

Hard to say, I have read that you are better with a really good aluminum bike than a cheap carbon bike. For me I looked at budget and the fact that it really is my first year in tri's when deciding between alu and carbon. Overall I am very happy, I have been sick but put in 1 30km ride and found the ride was smooth and really nice. At the point where I can positively identify that the aluminum frame is holding me back then I will upgrade, I figure this should take about "forever". The Cervelo is a well proven frame and has been around for a while. I also looked at the Trek Alu but the welds looked terrible, it was more expensive, heavier, had lesser components and I think it was designed more to a price point. Im sure its a fine bike but between the 2 it was an easy decision. I should add that we have 3 treks and home plus my Klein (which is kind of a trek) so I certainly have loyalty to the brand.

Got a call from the bike shop this morning and they tell me my rear wheel has a small crack and I need a new one, so looks like the tune up will be kind of expensive.  At least they are going to let me have the bike today and I'll just go back when they get the new wheel to have them swap it out.

Besides that I need to catch up on some missed workouts from the weekend.  I'm finally under a month until my race so I'm getting excited and I'm sure I'll get a little nervous as it gets closer.

Darren - any baby yet? 

My bike is in need of a tuneup here soon.  I want to take it well in advance of my next tri the last weekend of August.  I just don't really want to be without it for any length of time.  I will have my mountain bike to ride, but it's not the same. 

Feel much better about everything after last week.  I had a very productive week training wise.  I started my marathon training plan last week and will be doing that plan simultaneously with my olympic plan.  So, I'll be doing only 2 bikes a week, but getting my 3 runs in every week including my weekly long one.  Last week was 13 miles and that will be the shortest long run for a while.  It was crazy hot out, but I held pace decently considering. 

I signed up for a BT silver membership and have been using one of the silver plans.  I am very happy with the plan so far.  It has made some great suggestions for the bike that are helping my speed a lot.  Specifically more interval training, rather than just all of the same speed for the entire ride for every ride. 

Congrats Darren!  That's awesome! 

Congratulations Darren, praying that all are healthy and doing well.