BB's Really Beginner Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 4)

I got mine off Craigs list.  You will probably find some good deals now after xmas.  If I find anything, I will post it here.

Happy Birthday!  I am a bit scared to get on the scale as well.  Are you from Buffalo?  I was in Syracuse for 7 years.  Are you a Bills fan?  If so, go Patriots

playmobil31 - 2010-12-26 3:26 PM

Mike_D - 2010-12-26 3:11 PM
- At this point in my newbie-ness, should I care much if at all about heart rate zones, etc? Or should I just keep with just going out & doing s/b/r work?

- what kind of pedals/shoes do you recommend for my bike? I still need to go back to the LBS and get it adjusted, get clip ins, shoes, etc. Not looking to spend a fortune, but want something durable and comfy. I should also mention I know nothing about pedals/shoes.

For the Heart Rate Zones, my answer will be yes.
Since I started to play with it, my training went very well. But you will have to define your zones, the best with a lactate test.
 Mine was done and since then, I can really feel that I trained hard but I'm not exhausted after a training. So, it's really a big plus
After, it was for running but I think this will aply for cycling as well.

For the pedals, I just spoke with the guys at the shop, explained to him it was for racing/training and not cycling in town and I went with Looks pedals. Seems a good choice even if I'm not a specialist as everybody around in my tri club got the same kinds

!!Feliz cumpleaños Jackie!!  I hope you have a wonderful time in New York.

Wow Mike!  That’s a great bike, congratulations.

Mike – I am the newest newbie here, but I found out that even though goals should be flexible, erratic pattern training is something one should avoid.  According to the following video the secret to success is consistency, understood as sticking to a programme as much as possible in order to give a rhythm, flow and order to your training.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=2002

Alex - Thanks for the tip.  What about power training?  Is that only for experts?  Good luck in Miami! 

Santa gave me a check for a beginner’s bike (that is to say an inexpensive one LOL).  Everything is 30 to 40% cheaper in the US, so I’ll be getting it in March when I go to Memphis, TN.  I found some models on line, and I would appreciate if you could help me chose it because I don’t really know much about this and I have to do things in advance.  I’d be most grateful for any comments you might have on the following:

1) Specialized Dolce sport triple    http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52860&scid=1001&scname=Road

2) Cannondale Synapse Alloy 6 Tiagra  http://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng/Products/Bikes/Womens/Performance-Road/Synapse-Alloy/Details/2669-1RWA6C44BLK-Synapse-Womens-Alloy-6-Tiagra

3) Trek Lexa S   http://www.trekbikes.com/women/wsd_products/bikes/road/lexas/

4) Giant Avail 3  http://www.giantforwomen.com/bikes

 5) Orbea Aqua Dama T23  http://www.giantforwomen.com/bikes

 6) Fuji Finest 2.0  http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/finest_2_0

 7) Felt  ZW95  http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2011/Fit-Woman/ZW-Series/ZW95.aspx

 8) Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Dama Sora  http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/dama-bianca/via-nirone-7-dama/via-nirone-7-dama-sora/

 9) Jamis Ventura Comp Femme  http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/ventura/11_venturacompf.html

Thanks!

I use a HRM for peace of mind because of my heart issues I have. I have been working with my cardiologist and he has been helping me with what zones I should be working out in and what time. He even help adjust my meds. so that they correlate with my workout schedule. Probably more than what you want to hear, but I find it useful and like tracking it.

By the way, when you look at my hr's I log they are all over the place. For example I did a spin class after taking meds and my HR never got above 105. If its been a few hours my HR will jump anywhere from 150-170. If I don't take my meds and watch HR it can be as high as 250. (That's not good and defib should go off)

As for my schedule, it has been way off and I have 2 weeks off. Next week I will be back on track, I hope. I will admit I have enjoyed the rest that I needed; just don't want to get to lazy.

By the way Happy B-day Jackie.

Congrad on your new bike! 

I never done the HRM thing, even thought I have one with garmin.  I just do it by pace.  

This past season I didn't have a set schedule plan (I tried to do at least one S/B/R a week.)  With work & family stuff. I alway had stuff come up.  I had to reschedule alot of my workout to the early early morning.   But this season I plan to follow BT oly & HIM schedule and plan on waking up early.

I got a Look pedal and specialized tri shoe.  As someone else said go to your LBS to get fitted and buy your clip on with them.



 

I narrowed it down to 4 bikes and ordered them according to my own unlearned preference.  I know it’s important to know about the quality of frames, but I don’t really have much information about that.  I hope you can give me some guidance.

 1) Specialized Dolce sport triple http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52860&scid=1001&scname=Road

 1) Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Dama Sora  http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/dama-bianca/via-nirone-7-dama/via-nirone-7-dama-sora/

 2) Giant Avail 3  http://www.giantforwomen.com/bikes

 3) Cannondale Synapse Alloy 6 Tiagra  http://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng/Products/Bikes/Womens/Performance-Road/Synapse-Alloy/Details/2669-1RWA6C44BLK-Synapse-Womens-Alloy-6-Tiagra

Thanks! 

Ok, there is a lot of talk about HR and also I see where some said it came with their garmin.. Since Im 41 years old and heart problems run in the family, I would like to start monitoring it.  Is there a HR monitor someone could suggest and also what is the garmin?  I know garmin make GPS, but I was not sure if that is what you are talking about. 

Thanks
George

I had a Cannondale that I borrowed from a friend for a bout a year.  I liked it.  The best advice I can give you is make sure you get to ride all of them.  Recommendations are good, but you really need to see how you body fits to each brand.   They are all made differently.  I think when you narrow it down to 2, post a thread in the tri talk area and the people who have those specific bikes will give you good info to make a final decision.  Good luck.

Mike_D - 2010-12-26 3:11 PM Happy Birthday, Jackie!!!

So, I have a few questions I'd like to throw out to Josh & everyone while I watch the Patriots stomp on the Bills, and await a blizzard and deal with a snow blower which won't start...

- At this point in my newbie-ness, should I care much if at all about heart rate zones, etc? Or should I just keep with just going out & doing s/b/r work?

- How does everyone else deal wtih erratic training schedules? the past month or so for me has been a bit nutty in terms of trying to keep a consistent pattern. I'm planning for a return to normal (6 days/wk) training, but its been a tough December, especially since I've really been able to make big strides in my running & swimming

- what kind of pedals/shoes do you recommend for my bike? I still need to go back to the LBS and get it adjusted, get clip ins, shoes, etc. Not looking to spend a fortune, but want something durable and comfy. I should also mention I know nothing about pedals/shoes.

- Anyone have suggestions on getting a snow blower to start? 

Mike

How did you guys make out?  Are you on the coast?  We had nasty winds last night.  Not as much snow as everyone else but it's wet and heavy.  Go out and shovel and then you can log it in your workouts

HR Zones vs RPE.  This is a hard one.  I have always done loosely based HR zone training plans.  I think a short sell myself with the RPE plans.  I think I misjudge how hard I am pushing it.  The downfall to the HR zones is that you actually have to do a LT test.   Sort of a pain, but a good measure of how you are improving over time.  Let me know if you need the directions on how to do bike and run LT tests.  There is a link on this site somewhere.

I realized during IM training this year that you can't beat yourself up if you miss a workout.  I used to get cranky and irritable if I missed a workout, but I realized we don't do this stuff professionally and our real lives will eventually get in the way.  Just pick a plan that looks like it will work within your schedule and try your best to stick with it.  You can always move stuff around.  I am the king of moving stuff around.  I got into a pretty good schedule last year because I would pick the kids up from daycare and then head to the gym, which had a daycare.   But schedules change and since Sept, the kids are in different schools and we can do that.  It's just trial and error to find the right schedule for you.

I have LOKs.  I had Eggbeaters on the last bike, which I didn't like too much.  My LOKs are like a flat pedal.  There are also some that look like mini ping pong paddles.   I like the LOKs because they are adjustable as far as the ease of clipping in and out. 

And as far as the snow blower, get the girls out to get shoveling. 

eta - Maybe they are called Looks not LOKs.  I told you guys I not that technical with the bike stuff.