Fred D Mentor Group - Part II (Page 42)

Road surface quality is a huge factor. 

Thanks for all the feedback guys - good things for me to think through, and I think you have pushed me in the direction of the PRO model.

For the record I use the 305 for the run and love it.  I am leaning a bit towards the 910 just because it then becomes an all in one, but I wondered if the screen would be too small, or the data would be limited on the bike vs having the 500. 

Out of curiosity what data fields will you guys have up on a single screen?  I like having data that's why I'm considering forgetting the 910 even though I could use it for the swim as well.  My initial thoughts for what I would have on the screen.

Lap NP (assuming this is possible)
Current power
HR
Speed
Cadence
Time
Grade

One last question, have any of you used the 910 racing from start to finish and taken it from wrist to bike mount and back again for the run?

Joe Blow.  Best pump I've used.  I burned through a few Blackburn pumps, kept blowing out the seals but the Joe Blow is great.  I have another one that is ok but after about 90 PSI it gets tough to pump.

Amidst these epic races and training days, it's about time I fell on the sword.  A few weeks ago saw my extended family's annual beach trip with no training.  No big deal.  I figured I would get back on the horse and put in the time the two weeks before my last race (sprint) of the season.  I had an epic bad day at this race last year and was in it for revenge this year.  Well, I'm now on day 10 of some sort of virus that hasn't completely knocked me down, but I'm got the cough/muscle soresness/feverish feeling/general lethargy that has pretty much kept me sidelined on the training front.  Just emailed the RD and withdrew from the race.  Sucks balls.

The only upside is I've now sort of transitioned into winter training thought once I get back at it.  For me, this means working on my awful run (and killing myself on the bike).  I've got to get more consistent, slowly increase my volume, get more consistent - and figure out my foot problems or a way to work through it.  To this end, I've got a challenge race planned for February with a couple guys that are much faster than me.  We'll figure out a way to handicap it such that the smack talking will be often and quite insulting.  It's an 8-mile trail race that's apparently pretty miserable that time of year.  Creek crossings, snow (hopefully!), cold, mud, up/down - awesome.

ride time, current speed, average speed, HR, time of day and miles traveled.

pretty basic info

I *knew* consorting with you would only pox me! I jest. I'm sorry and I do feel your pain ... had it five days or so, put in as many good days training after, and either it's back or it's a new one.

Your plans sound good and I hope you're feeling much better soon.

Marc, I also don't really think of "graded" races. I do often have different goals for races though and I do make training and taper decisions based on how I think those decisions will impact my ability to execute and accomplish those goals. So, if not to simply go as fast as you can in the race, what is your goal instead? How might the FTP test impact your execution?

Neil - I have the 310xt and 610 wrist units as well as a 500 and 800 head unit. I much prefer to use a head unit instead of a wrist unit for cycling: the display is much better and you don't have to fiddle around with it while you are riding. I also race with seperate computers: I usually don't wear anything on the swim (I might wear a plain old watch) and I just grab my 610 in T2. if i really want my overal time on one unit for some reason i wilmwear the 310, but just ignore it on the bike and use the 800 instead. What is your thinking about the 500 vs. the 800? If you have the choice I would go with the 800 hands-down. It rocks.

Fred - if you can get what you want locally that is a big factor for me, especially if the service is good. My wife has been researching and shopping for a new bike recently and has narrowed it down to two (Scott Foil team issue & Cervelo R5) our LBS did custom builds of both with her exact component specs and sent her home yesterday with both to keep and ride until next week. I like that kind of service and am pretty sure they have made a sale. As a side, it has been really interesting following along her decision process in what she wants - she is much smarter about it than me!

Goose, get well, man! This is a crummy time of year to be sick!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUUUUUUDEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

I hope you didn't think you were going to get away with not letting anyone know.

{MELON PRESS} and I love you forever and ever!

Another vote for Joe Bloe. It was the only one I could actually use the crack pipe and inflate myself without any help.

BONUS : the head of the joe bloe was small enough that I didn't need the crack piple anymore. But this does depend on your valve length.

Rusty - if anything I would go with the quick release on the 910 so I could mount it on the bike while riding.  I wouldn't consider racing with it on my wrist unless I had a separate head unit.

My grading of A,B,C was not how much effort I would put in but rather how important the results were to me. The TT/FTP can wait another week so I will not do it before my race. I will probably get an idea of my FTP by the Oly anyways.

On the topic of 910/500/800, I ordered the Wahoo fitness kit for my iphone. While I know I can't race with it (I use the 500), it does seem like a great training option. I will let you know how it works out. 

That is what I figured you were thinking from your earlier comments. I elected not to go that route because of all the stories of wetsuit removal issues, dropped/lost units on the swim and T2, etc. I know others though that have had no problems with that at all. I think if I only had one unit, the 910 would be the hands-down obvious winner. You could always get a separate head unit later if you found the 910 to not meet your exact needs on the bike.

I don't use the app in training (I found it to chew through phone battery WAY too fast, and when I am out on long rides I want a phone that works!) but the wahoo app and dongle are awesome, especially if you have a 310xt, 610, or now (I am assuming) a 910. You can use the app and dongle to download your workout files from all of those units and seamlessly upload the files to Training Peaks, Strava, Garmin Connect, etc, etc, without having to use a computer - all you need is a phone, iPad, etc. I travel a lot and it is great to not have to lug a computer with me just to upload my files. This may sound silly, but when I am traveling and don't have my computer I will stick my 310 in my jersey pocket and let it collect data (I still use the 800 head unit for the display). I can then use the 310 + wahoo app to upload the data without waiting to get to a computer like you have to with the 500 and 800. FWIW according to DCRainmaker and confirmed by Garmin there is evidently no technical reason that the 500 & 800 cannot communicate wirelessly to an ant stick or dongle, Garmin has simply not programmed them to do so. A real miss on their part, but that is how Garmin is about many things.

Headed off to Rev3 Maine soon!!

I've got almost the same amount of bike milage for 2012 as I do for all of 2011, but I still feel underprepared. Luckily, this course is flatter than anything I've ridden recently - we're talking less total ascent than my 18 mile ride to work. I'm definitely short on run mileage, but I'm ready to suffer. With a week in Ireland post-race, I won't be training at all - might as well make it hurt! I'd like to hit a sub-6 this season, but that might be a bit lofty of a goal.

Another super exciting thing I posted in TriTalk... my college finally got a record board, and I'm on it! 100 fly, 200 medley, 400 medley. I haven't met the new coach, but he contacted me to tell me about it, and sent me a picture.

(swimmingrecordboard.jpg)