Please let me know your bib number.  I'm excited for you! 

I tested for my functional threshold power again tonight.  I started with a coach from Vision Quest in February.  My first test was 225 watts. Then, I re-tested at 245.  During the summer TT, he raised me to 265 based on my output during the races.  Then tonight, 283 watts.  Unbelievable for me to think I made that kind of power progress. 

The FTP is that point where the body is all out just before going anaerobic. With it, you can gauge intensity far more accurately than with heart rate.  Max HR can vary due to a lot of factors on any given day plus it lags behind exertion, so it's nearly impossible to accurately target an HR during short all out anaerobic efforts beyond your FTP.  A PowerTap removes the guess work.

The test is done on a Compu-Trainer linked to a computer that increases and decreases tension to mimic a 40 minute race in the mountains. You go up and down.  Down actually is harder to maintain power output.  By the end it doesn't matter, up, down it's all damn hard.  

I am sold on the PT and coaching.  He says I follow recommended workouts better than any of his other athletes.  Most of them are younger...they have time to waste.  I don't.  They also are far richer than I am.  My money and time are important to me. 

I sold a shotgun and bought a Garmin 310 with HR monitor to help with the run.  Very cool indeed. I think it will help both the run and the bike.  Also, if accused of a crime, I have an ironclad alibi.  The Garmin tells them where I was to within 10 feet.  You never know when that might come in handy.

   

   

Liking the PT numbers - man you are making some awesome leaps forward.  That is one of my future 'must haves' for this tri thing!  It is the most accurate & consistent way to measure progress/improvement on the bike.  MPH/HR/Cadence is just to inconsistent based on outside elements - wind, hills, temps, etc...  When I upgrade my wheels - I am working in a PT... I would love to get an SRM but I just bought cranks, so wheels are next...might as well throw in the PT.

Congrats on the Garmin (310 very nice!)...  I can't live without mine... had mine for just over 4 years - best training tool I have ever purchased.  I will be getting the wife one very soon...but the 305.

She completed her first Tri this past Sunday... Try Andy's Tri 300m / 10 mile bike / 3 mile run.  She finished in 1:34:10.  That is without ANY run training, very limited swim training, and some time on the bike.  She is paying for that though... the last couple days!  Soreness she hasn't ever felt before! lol!  But she is already talking about next year, better preperation, and swim coach talk!

We are doing a family relay on Sunday 10/25 - I am swimming 500m OWS, my wife is doing the 15 mile bike, and my 12 yo son is running the 3 miler.  It should be a fun day!

Y'all all have a great week!  I will post bib and link info for those interested for IMFL as soon as I get it! 

Finished my race report for the Detroit Freep Press Half Marathon this past Sunday:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=184703&posts=1&start=1

I had a very tough day.  I'd been fighting some kind of a cold / upper respiratory ailment and it caught up with me some where around miles 5 or 6.  Looking back at my HR data, it was clearly elevated.  1st 5 miles went realy well and I was on track for my goal time of 1:45:00.  It really fell apart after that and I ended up at 1:58:02.  Not how I wanted to run, but I think I did the best I could given the circumstances. 

Justin, that is so great for your wife doing her first Tri!!! And a family relay, what can I say, you have inspired your family too!  The relay sounds like so much fun, good luck to you and your team!!

Hi all,

Justin, very cool on the wife and son getting involved.

The PT is a great addition to training.  Pricey, but heck if I'm going to do this thing in the time limit I have based on the aging clock then I have to make the most of the time I have.  The PT really helped do that so far.  I admit, I'm a numbers geek.  If my coach said 100% FTP, he gets it.  If he asks, 120% he gets it.  I figure he knows what he is doing trying to reeve this old body of mine up to peak performance so I'll follow the program as closely as I can.

My wife has been a dream in all this.  I have had four furlough days last year and have 5 in the next 6 months.  But, the bills are paid, I have enough to take her out on the weekends so she figures what the heck. 

I did buy the 310 primarily for the pace on the run and to get the maps and exact distances.  It really helps me push myself on the run.  Rather than waiting every mile, I get instant feedback so I can push harder or slow down a bit to conserve, which ever is appropriate.

One caution if you are getting one - mine worked perfectly out of the box about 5 times then quit uploading.  I went through the trouble shooting in the owners manual, emailed customer support and got a very detailed understandable list of things to try.  I did, still not working.  I phoned and a software guy accessed by computer, finally hand me delete everything and start over.  Still not sure was had been wrong.  I was saving workouts on the watch and that might have done something.  I also saw where he changed a couple of settings that I would not have known about or realized they were wrong.  It is working again perfectly after about 20 mins on the phone with him. Garmin has terrific customer support.

This was posted by a friend here on BT... fattyfatfat

This was from our ride on Saturday!

Justin's antics from this weekend.  Here in case you missed it.

Justin you crack me up!!!  Admit it, you were having fun riding with that pup weren't ya!!!  What are you?  Less than 2 weeks out?  Gotta let us know your bib number!!!!  You are going to rock this!!

Oh my gosh! It's been awhile since I've peeked in here...it's been exciting! Scott- holy power surge!  Justin - LOVE the puppy story and the family involvement.  My 4-year-old just ran her first race (Jailbreak 1/2 mile kids fun run) and had a BLAST!  It is so much sweeter when family gets involved...still workin' on hubby...although he did accompany our daughter Rose and also myself for the epic 1/2 mile effort!  She loves when I call her "Rocket Legs" now!

It's Official y'all.... I am #939!  Holy nerve city USA ~ I am really beginning to feel the energy of it all!  A week from tomorrow, I will be pulling out of Houston ~ east bound with the hammer down!

Yeah, sorry should have posted it too.  On the web page the live race coverage link will activate the day of the race.
http://www.ironmanflorida.com/

or http://www.ironman.com/

Both will grant access to a live coverage link, if not now then on race day.

I just want to say thanks again for all of you in this group for your kind words and encouragement over the past few months!  All of you are sources of motivation and inspiration in so many ways!  Stay the course and keep up the great work & I truly hope to meet y'all someday in person. 

A big congrats Justin - you are an Ironman.  It was great to watch your progress throughout the day.  Amazing effort - Sub 12 hours to boot.

Can't wait to hear about it.

Congrats again

Justin, you are an Ironman!  You rock.  Congrats.  Please let us know what you thought about the race.  It's one of three I'm considering now.

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Justin!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome job IRONMAN!

Followed your progress all day!!!  Awesome job.  You set a goal (sub-12) and rocked it out!!!

YAAAAAY, JUSTIN!

Ahem....race report????   LOL!!!!

Race Report...
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=187150

Here's the low down on the ho-down!

It was an AWESOME experience - tough but fun!  The swim was rough, but not as insane as I thought it was gonna be... the bike was long, but went better than expected... the run, well I underestimated how tough 26.2 miles are after coming off the bike!

I was away from the computer/internet for nearly a week, except for the limited access with the crackberry.  Thank you so much for following my progress, cheering me on and THANKS SOOO much for all of your kind words of support and encouragement! 


Congratulations to Linda for a BQ'ing run!!!  That is my next goal!