SBR "U" (Page 32)

I'm reading this book right now, Surviving the Extremes: What Happens to the Body and Mind at the Limits of Human Endurance. It's written by a doctor who, as the title suggest, writes about the things that happen to the human body in extreme environmental conditions in the jungle, ocean desert, underwater, high altitude, and outer space. 

I'm only on the jungle portion but it's amazing how he often credits psychological, or "placebo" effects for  some of the barriers people are able to hurdle in order to survive. 

I couldn't agree more!  I've had intervals (on the bike) that seemed impossible and when I was able to make them, it made me realize that intervals that previously seemed very difficult were actually quite manageable. 

Honestly, my current (low) FTP number probably has more to do with me not being mentally ready/able to hit the big numbers yet.  In comparing previous best 5'/20' tests with this week's tests, I see that my max HR was 8 bpm less on each test!  My legs felt like they were going to explode, but they probably weren't....heh.

Quads had some DOMS, as if I'd run a race, through Tuesday, but resolved yesterday.  

But I find the fatigue more of an issue.  As my runs get over 2:30, i find that Monday is OK but it hits me pretty good Tuesday.  I had to move Tuesday's run to Wed for scheduling, and also had a trainer ride later that day (threshold) that I pulled the plug after 15 minutes as it was clear I wouldn't have it.  First time I think I've voluntarily abandoned a workout after I started, and honestly feel OK about it  

Ha-Ha - yes you are right Ben: WAY more windmilling. She has NOTHING on me! Now that I think of it, I am probably not very fast on the descents, I just make everyone think I am a lunatic and they get out of the way....

Glad to hear you made it through without exacerbating the injury Sounds like you were smart in pulling the plug on the threshold work too. That is the kind of stuff that is not worth doing if you can't do it right.

I just got back from the doc as my calf has gone beyond just the soreness from racing, and this close to race season I didn't want to ignore it and do something stupid. Seems I tweaked my left Soleus, deep under my interior Gastrocnemius. Went through a round of ART that just about left me in tears, but hopefully should be good to go in a few days. It is bugging me though as it manifests itself as tightness in my achilles, and as I was out of the game for over 12 months with achilles issues a few years ago I am especially sensitive to when they are acting up.

And my race report is up - first one of the year: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=529195

100% agree. I feel that way about track work in general: I know the physiological gains made there are important, but the psychological gains come race day are HUGE.

Karen - that is just awesome front-to-back, but especially the ironic part, which is hard to miss.

For me personally the best, best, best mental training is the progression run. I loath them when I see them appear on my workout schedule, and I dread their coming days ahead of time. A 10k progression goes something like warm up well, then: 2k at base pace, 2k at endurance, 3k at steady state, 2k at tempo, and 1k all-out. for me the mental part is that when doing intervals we are so programmed to get a recovery when the interval is done, but with a progression you actually and immediately have to go harder at the end of each interval, well, it certainly leaves you ready for race day.

They should pay you commission - just picked up that book on Amazon.

It's pretty amazing what a little mental breakthrough can do - like completing a non-stop 2.4 mile swim - while there may not be much physical breakthrough, the mental aspect can be HUGE.

Gotta take it easy on may calf until probably next week, but hopefully I will be able to give it a whirl then.

I funded it early via kickstarter (I am a bit of a Kickstarter junkie) so I got it on the cheap. So if it doesn't work I am not out too much. I also got in early on the Mio Link wrist strap, which uses similar tech to capture and transmit heart rate via both Ant+ and Bluetooth. While it is a great idea that would let you ditch the chest strap, the Link doesn't work so well for me. I either have to wear it uncomfortably high on my arm or uncomfortably tight on my wrist, otherwise it suffers from light leaks. I can wrap it up or wear it under arm warmers and it works great, but that kind of defeats the purpose. The BSX Insight device slips inside a custom calf sleeve, so that is how they have evidently worked out the light leak problem. 

It's SO good. Let me know what you think.

I hope I wasn't misleading as it's not really about running, biking or swimming. But it's such a great read. And of course, the concepts are universal. 

Not misleading. Sounds like a great read I love real-life adventure/survival stuff. And science.

I also tested this week. Its been a long time since I did a 5'/20' test so this was really a baseline assessment. As to the bolded James, I might have to disagree. It was bad. Very bad. But I did learn that just because I feel like I'm going to throw up does not mean it will actually happen. Perhaps I'm one who needs to learn how to suffer and testing teaches me how to deal with it. 

Generally people do need to learn how to really suffer to do the tests (and for what the hard work really means). Though I'm not really sure about statements such as testing not being "that bad".

I hear testing is a lot easier when you follow it up with 2x40'...while in the middle of a 100 day running challenge.  

I agree.  I fear the tests, because I suffer quite a bit during them.  And the 5' ain't any easier than the 20', even though I know that I could sandbag it and get a higher FTP  

20min run test for me tonight - not pretty, done at the running track around the new velodrome.  Maxed out the HR and effort but the legs weren't moving very well.  Can only get faster..:-)

Sometimes holding it for longer seems better than trying to go deeper and shorter even though things will be over faster.

Very cool - thanks Marc.  I had spoken to one of the track coaches and he mentioned he'd had some discussions with Alpha Mantis but didn't think anything would happen till after the Pan Am games.  If something did materialize before Spring and the Games take over the velodrome I'd seriously look at doing the testing.

Good 5x4' VO2 ride this morning.  Based on my most recent FTP testing, I accumulated 106 TSS points in 65 minutes.  Something tells me my FTP isn't nearly as low as what the testing said it was!  I think I just need to remember how to let/make myself really suffer