MarkQuiet's group - FULL (Page 3)

Look at that. I am gone  for a while working and I come back and a whole conversation happens. Cool!!!

Tom - welcome and I hope that things start to settle down a little so you can work in your workouts. Tri are very rewarding and having to look forward to a race is a big motivator. Which one are you looking for your first?

Mary - As was already stated there is a big difference between stationary and road. My suggestion would be to turn up the level until you feel resistance but can maintain about 70 - 90 rpms on the pedals (rounds per minute). Start at the low end of the scale and move up from there. In the end 80 - 90 is going to be your ideal "cadence". (Cadence = rpms).

Daisy - Take a look at the articles that Scout posted they should help. I did have a problem with my cain derailing (front gears) when when going from the smallest ring to the middle ring. The bike shop made some adjustments and no more problems, though they suggest not switching front gears without first changing the rear gears to a position that puts the less strain on the chain. Kind of hard explaining that without pictures...

TC - good luck on your marathon on Sunday. I'll be thinking of you while I am running my 17miles LSD (for those that don't know - LSD=Long Slow Distance)

Scout - I hope you are feeling good. Now go ride a bike or something.

All, talk with you later I need to go run 15K.

Hey y'all.  I sent Kirk a PM about joining his group, but since he didn't respond within 5 minutes (on a Friday night, no less) I decided to barge in.  Kirk: feel free to send me packing if you feel the group is getting too large, but after reading all the posts, I feel I have some things to offer as well as some learning from the swimmers.  BTW since Kirk and I both live in Fort Worth, TX we've actually seen each other on training runs and events.

So, without further ado, a little bit about myself:

Real name: Doug. 

Real Life: Originally from Seattle, undergrad and grad school primarily in Boulder/Denver and now living in Fort Worth with 5 great years sandwiched in between down in Austin in the 90s.  Married to Texmom of BT, who is really the one who got me into losing weight and tris (more on that, later).  We have 3 kids: girls 8 and 5 and boy 1.  I play indoor and outdoor soccer year round and thought that was enough to keep my now 39 year old body in shape.  Alas, it wasn't.  When I hit 225 (I'm 6'2) a couple years ago, I realized I was only hurting the team and considering whether I had to abandon the 38s for something larger.  Wife got me in the gym and I lost 10 lbs. over several months and plateaued for a year or so.  Jog/ran off and on during that time but nothing serious.  Last year we decided to try a tri again.

Tri History: In 2000, with some friends, Texmom and I participated in a triathlon in central Texas near Austin.  It was a fun near-death experience as I suck(ed) at swimming.  OWS 800 m is not the ideal first tri swim if you ask me.  Then I flatted on the bike and am (was) a relatively slow runner.  I guess finishing was the goal (aside from not drowning) and that's what we did.  Finished.  All of a sudden, 6 years had passed us by.  We decided to do that same tri again last September.  This time I trained better by taking even more advantage of my in-law's country club membership (I befriended the swim coach who gave me lessons gratis) and 50 m pool.  I became a decent pool swimmer.  I did get one OWS in Lake Washington during my annual pilgrimage home, but it showed me that I had a lot to work on.  Anyway, on race day, I was coughing, nervous and scared.  Damn near drowned again and was passed by the fast girls and then the average girls and then the older women and then the older men - you get the point - in the swim.  However, I smoked  the bike ride (no flats) and had a decent run.  I enjoyed it so much that I went right out and did another sprint in October (Texmom did, too).  This time it was a pool 300 m swim, much better, another fast ride and a hella run setting a PR for the distance.  Now, I'm hooked.  We have already signed up for the playtri Oly distance in Irving in April (on our anniversary, no less), a HIM in October in Austin, a 1/2 mary in February (right here in Cowtown) and have run a couple 5 and 10ks last fall.

Goals: If you read this far you know I need help swimming, especially getting over the creepy feeling in OW.  I'm still not in "soccer shape" as the long distance thing doesn't seem to help a lick when short sprints are needed on the pitch, thus, I'll be looking to increase speed and stamina after this 1/2 mary.

Things I can contribute to the group:  I love biking and am fairly good at it.  I've also developed a better relationship with my feet and now actually enjoy running distance.  I've learned a lot over the past few months and have seen my speed increase dramatically.  I also have a pretty good knowledge of quality craft beers (but I'm not techno about it, I just know what I like).

Final words then I'll shut up: Since June of this year, I've dropped from 210 to now near 197 and the belt which used to actually provide support for my too large jeans didn't do so well today.

Anyway, if you'll have me, I'd like to be a part of this excellent group.

db a/k/a dogger

A spare tube, tire irons (levers), a pump, and a cell phone are essential items to have with you every ride.  All the above ('cept the celly) should live under your seat in a nice little pouch.  Sounds like you need to make your way to your friendly neighborhood bike shop or barring that, to a large retail bike shop.  Don't go to Target or Walmart looking for these things.  Bike shop dudes and dudettes are pros.  On a slow day, they'll probably even walk you through the flat fixing routine.  You should learn this skill.  If you don't have a water bottle cage, get one and a cool bottle to go with it.  Then you'll always at least have one bottle with you.  The above items will set you back 20-40 bones, but you'll then be prepared for the ineviatable.  Oh yeah, don't ever forget your brain bucket (helmet).

I could say more on the subject, but I think I shocked Kirk with my diatribe the other night.

Thanks, Kirk, glad to be a part of the group.  I'll talk less during the week when work sucks the life out of me.

I've had a similar sort of thing before.  You start out OK, but then you feel like your muscles are slowly tightening up, and it starts to hurt pretty bad.  It could be, and I'm only hypothesizing here so take all of this with a grain of salt, that you might need different insoles in your shoes, you might be lacing up too tight, or it could be overstriding (although I'm not real sure about that one....).  Does it happen every time? 

A few words of wisdom - for what they are worth...

black (Doug) - dude, you go on a spill what you have!! I was just shocked to see you type so much. You barely make blog entries so I thought you were not the "talkative" type. You feel free to type as much as you want here. Don't you worry about me. Now Scout on the other hand might tell you to shut up.... but that's him

orph... I too have had this problem before. I remember one night it got so bad that I had to call my ex-wife midway through my run at 9PM to come get me because I hurt so bad. Things I did to correct it. Well since it was the summer I increased my water intake and tried to run when it was cooler (not sure if this was directly related), I also changed shoe manufactuerer (went from Asic to Mizuno) and got another "fitting". With the Mizuno's I ran pretty much injury free but with the Asics I get the pains. (Don't take this as a bashing on Asics, they just don't work for me). Lastly, I changed my running form. I can't exactly pin point what I changed, all I can say is that I run "differently" then I did then (pace, gait, torso placement, foot strike, etc).  I found that with my increase in fitness and mile base, my gait has naturally changed so I can run even faster and more efficient. Perhaps this is the same as you. One major thing I need to point out. If this is a consistant problem you may want to go to a sports doctor and ensure you don't need some special orthos or something.

Daisy - I agree with black on the items. I have a small under seat pouch that carries a spare tube, levers, compressed air thingy, and a tire gague. I have a two water bottle cages and a camelback, (depending on the distance and heat). On longer rides I normally carry my cell and extra cash in my jersey (word of advise, put the phone in a zip lock bag to prevent water damage from perspiration).

Hi Kirk!  NOT trying to hijack your thread...but 1 other thing to keep in your repair kit.  A 1 dollar bill.  Folded 3 or 4 times it makes the perfect barrier between a hole in your tire and your tube.  So if you find yourself out on the road changing a flat due to a hole in your tire, stick the folded up bill inbetween the tire and tube to protect your tube.

Just a little tip I wanted to pass on.

Carryon........ :-)

Not hijacking. Feel free to stop by and post anytime tAyna.

I have also been told by a long time cyclist that some leaves are good for that as well. Either way, its an excellent tip.  Thanks for sharing.

I'm sorry. I never had runner's knee (knock on wood), so I can't answer you on that one. I would suggest that while it is healing that you try some cycling cross-training. It may help speed recovery.

Firstly, no, I do not follow anything even remotely like an eating plan, nor do I monitor my intake to any great degree.  That being said, I also have a pretty good idea as to what I'm eating.  I do almost all the cooking at home, and a fair amount of the shopping.  I eat a lot of the same things on a regular basis (Frosted Mini Wheats is breakfast, M-F), because I prefer simple.

I have noticed days where I feel sluggish, and it's mostly due to not eating enough or improperly the day before.  But that's more during the weekend.  One thing I do, though: I always try to have some sort of sports drink or chocolate milk as close as possible to ending the workout.  I do have information on diet and nutrition for specific questions. 

Being single once again I do all my cooking and shopping so I do monitor that, but being a bachelor I am sure that I can do better. I have read numerous books on diets and proper eating for various types of endurance sports. Here is the general rules I follow (try to follow).

1) Try to avoid processed food. If needed buy items as near raw as possible (e.g. butter instead of margine).
2) Eat smaller portions more often during the day (this is where I usually fail)
3) Consume carbohydrates and protien soon after a workout. (I have to drink a recovery drink, because I don't feel like eating)
4) Consume higher amounts of calories from carbohydrates the day before a long run.
5) Try to drink as much water as possible - all the time
6) Take Vitamin-C daily

Only when finishing a marathon.

NOT

pfffft...whatever.  It is nice on trail runs, though.  I like to consider it "comfort food".  I generally feel much more comfortable after having a few. 

I tend to agree with both Scout and MarkQ (except for his aversion to beer - everyone makes their own personal sacrifices).  I have no eating plan, but pay better attention to what I eat.  I generally have the same breakfast m-f Golean Crunch combined with Spec. K - strawberries and fresh bananas when we have 'em.  I also bring my lunch to work most days to avoid the perils and cost of restaraunt eating.  However, my lunch can run the gamut from Mexican food leftovers to a homemade ham/cheese sandwich.  Apples or oranges are part, too.  As for dinner, some nights it's merely a cup of yogurt and some oreos, others it's a burger or pizza, and some it's home cooking - veggies, chicken, red meat, fish, etc.  I don't consider my diet balanced as the doctors/scientists suggest, but it's worked.  The biggest thing I try to do is eat less at night (often the source of my Mexican leftovers for lunch).  Oh yeah, I'll have a beer in the evening sometimes.  Never more than one, unless it's Friday or Saturday (and even then not consistently) - but rarely any of that light beer crap.  I prefer good, hearty, flavorful brews.  All things in moderation, I say.

db

Someone after my own heart......

I have definitely found that I prefer to eat small amounts throughout the day.  I eat breakfast and lunch at my desk at work, but I do go and buy something fairly regularly (mostly it's the same turkey on white with lettuce, onions and hot peppers, but sometimes I go for the cheesesteak).

I will say this much:  Any diet that causes you to cut out or severely restrict a major food group is not a good one, especially for someone doing physical training.  Also, like dblack mentioned, all things in moderation.  This means that it is ok to eat cake and cookies and stuff, so long as it's done in moderation.  For the record, that's also a pet peeve of mine...people who talk about not being able to eat desserts, especially during the holidays.  That, and light beer.