Ken Nail's Group -- Closed (Page 4)

Let me throw something out there and see if anyone has had the same experience.

I have been doing all of my training on a stationary bike at the gym.  Routinely doing rides of 30-45 mins, even got up to an hour last week.  Finally picked me up a road bike this weekend.  It's probably an late 80's model huffy 12 speed road bike.  I know it's not even close to the quality of bike some of you are riding but I was determined not to spend much money this year until I got a few tris under my belt and decided if it was something I want to continue doing long term.  The bike is in good shape and it was a cheap buy. 

Started a long ride at the gym last night but was interrupted and had to pick up my daughter.  After getting home I decided I would take my "new" bike out for a few miles and check it out.  Three miles (probably a bit less) seemed like an exceptionally hard ride!  I had to adjust the seat when I got back home but I don't believe that would account for how hard this ride felt.  I had read on several posts that riding the indoor stationary bike was easier but I don't know if I buy that now.  The course was a very slight uphill on the way out and slight downhill on the way back (most of which I coasted).  Kind of discouraged now because the 10 mile ride for my tri in July which I was thinking would be fairly easy doesn't look so doable anymore. 

Any suggestions? Am I over reacting after my first significant time on a bike in many, many, months?  Obviously it will get easier the more time I spend on the bike but does this sound normal?  The seat was too low  by probably a couple of inches so I wasn't getting good leg extension but could this have made that much of a difference?  Interested to hear any feedback.

1. Magnesium is a common component at the business end of enzymes.  It, along with other ions with 2+ charge, also balances the charge of cells with excitable membranes and prevents unintended activation (ie, it can help with muscle cramps).  So it's definitely important, but I have no idea if people are actually missing magnesium in any significant way.  We don't need much magnesium, though.  And like every substance in the universe, too much of it can be harmful.  I think a good nutritionist would be able to sort you out better than we could.

2.  Mattkenken, I have the same issue when I switch from stationary to actually riding outside.  I've tried to come up with a sort of "conversion factor" to relate my stationary work to real riding and it's somewhere around 0.5-0.75 actual miles for every stationary mile.  Depends on how much resistance I put on the stationary bike and how hilly my outside course is.  I have some pretty steep hills around my house and there's just no comparison between them and my steady moderate resistance on the stationary bike.   But if its a choice between riding indoors or not riding at all...

I need to check on a suit also or I'll be chill'in in the water.

Where did you find the suit, I looked on their website and they only had full suits. The only sleevless was only a 3mm and 2mm for $99 but not in my size.

First sprint on July 7.  Short one 300m/10m/5k

If that goes well increasing the distance a bit at Lake Logan sprint on August 5th  500m/20k/5k

It I still have the bug in Sept. (1st or 8th, need to check date) going a bit longer at Lake Junaluska 800m/17mile/4mile

The race was a real eye-opener and you can read my race report at BT.  I just need to keep reminding myself there is more to triathlon than just swimming, biking, and running.  The transitions (especially T2 to running) keep getting me ... even with a few bricks before hand.  The water was way too cold and my swim was actually quite terrible.  However, I was pleased with the bike and the run.  The big stinker of the whole thing was no T-shirt, after paying the equivalent of about $70 for the race.  Oh, well, it was a race in England, so I enjoyed the pubs and ales afterward.

Next race is actually a Tough Mudder (12mi Mud Run) in about two weeks.  I am thinking about the Berlin Oly in early June and still looking for some short/ medium races, for experience, through the summer.  Still on the edge for the 1/2  IM (looking the first weekend in September ... after that, race season drops off quick, over here).  Ken, any suggestions for a good plan (looking at about 18 weeks and about 8-12hrs per week, heavy on the weekends)??  I certainly need more time in the saddle (need to really build my comfort/ confidence on the bike), and need to work on swim form (I still need to check out the swimsmooth website you guys were talking about).

From what I remember, the training and day before the race have usually been harder than the race itself.  The racing was fun, hence the reason I keep doing it (well, that and the T-shirts).  The last race there were many people doing their first triathlon, all quite scared of the unknown.  Bottom line, I told them, trust in your training and just go out to enjoy yourself (something I always have to keep reminding myself about 1/2 way through the swim).

Good Luck on all the upcoming races.  I'm anxious to get back to the US and try some tri's over there.  Have a great week of training, all!!

Some of you may remember my post from last we about my less than encouraging first ride outside on my "new" bike.  Well my second ride tonight went a little better.

Got some help with correct seat positioning then went out for another ride this evening with one goal:  get to know the bike.  I did not care about speed or distance, my plan was just to go out and do a short 30 minute ride and get a good feel for being on the bike.  To get used to using the right gear, braking, making turns, staying in the aero position, being outside in the wind, etc.  Found a local elementary school parking lot with no traffic and a .75 mile relatively flat loop and went to work.

Finished 7.5 miles in just over 32 minutes and I took it so easy I felt like I could have probably done 30 more minutes.  Tried to keep an even cadence through several different gears to get used to changing speeds.  Practiced quick braking, sharp turns, going fast, going slow, coasting, and just getting a good feel for being outside.  It was a good experience and now my fear of not being able to complete the 10-12 miles in the local sprint tris has subsided. 

Hey Jimyak.  Awesome bike ride on April 17th!!  Got to be some kind of world record!  lol

(hope you don't mind us having a little fun with you.  I assume it's a typo.  If not can I have your autograph?)

Thanks, I did buy a suit