Mental Manatee Mentors Part 3--CLOSED (Page 46)

Ooooh bike shopping! Very exciting.

So, out of curiosity what are you all looking for in a bike that your current bike doesn't give you?

Ooooh bike shopping! Very exciting.

So, out of curiosity what are you all looking for in a bike that your current bike doesn't give you?

Currently bike is a heavy-ish aluminum frame with low-end components and a triple in the front.  Triple drives me crazy, so I'd like a compact crank.  Nicer components, nicer frame.  Just time to upgrade.  Plus the bike is like 9 years old.

Happy Friday Manatees!!!!!!!!!!

Lots to share today!

1) My swim this morning ROCKED! I thought it would be another tough one because I just wasn't feeling it but I must have taken on my Manatee-ness when I hit the water because I did a set that I did two weeks ago and I beat my total time by over 2 minutes for a 3000 yard set!!!! The details are in my log. WooHoo!!!!!!!! Thank you Yanti & Skrat!!!!!

2) Today is Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's birthday so I am listening to his brilliance today at work. It's a Phantom, Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat kinda day. (I like Jesus Christ Superstar too but don't have it on my iPod)

3) Saw a picture on FB that reminded me of Jo so I am sharing.

4) I made the Ding Dongs/Twinkies for my MIL's birthday so I am sharing a picture of those.

5) My Lobo's totally messed up my bracket

Happy Friday Manatees!!!!!!!!!!

Lots to share today!

1) My swim this morning ROCKED! I thought it would be another tough one because I just wasn't feeling it but I must have taken on my Manatee-ness when I hit the water because I did a set that I did two weeks ago and I beat my total time by over 2 minutes for a 3000 yard set!!!! The details are in my log. WooHoo!!!!!!!! Thank you Yanti & Skrat!!!!!

2) Today is Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's birthday so I am listening to his brilliance today at work. It's a Phantom, Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat kinda day. (I like Jesus Christ Superstar too but don't have it on my iPod)

3) Saw a picture on FB that reminded me of Jo so I am sharing.

4) I made the Ding Dongs/Twinkies for my MIL's birthday so I am sharing a picture of those.

5) My Lobo's totally messed up my bracket

Currently bike is a heavy-ish aluminum frame with low-end components and a triple in the front.  Triple drives me crazy, so I'd like a compact crank.  Nicer components, nicer frame.  Just time to upgrade.  Plus the bike is like 9 years old.

Alright, here is what I consider to be a reasonable definition of strides:

"Strides are those 60- to 100-meter "pickups" that runners typically do just before speedwork or races. In these instances, they generally warm up well, stretch, and then use strides as a finishing touch to ease into fast-running mode. The reasons for doing strides before a bout of fast running are multiple: muscles need to be flooded with blood, fast-twitch muscle fibers need to be recruited, and race pace must be briefly simulated to get the body and mind ready to run fast.

Strides also improve your neuromuscular coordination, as the bursts of speed stimulate neural pathways. Just as a pianist's fingers fly over scales that have been practiced repeatedly, your coordination and form become more fluid from these short but frequent doses of speed tacked onto the ends of easy runs. Result: You become faster."

What is important is to be sure they are "fast" not "hard." The best way I can describe this is to move your body forward quickly but do so with your entire body relaxed. Don't tighten your face with strain or clench your jaw, don't ball your fists. Try your best to be fluid. I know this is easier said than done but that is why we practice it. Strides should truly be your version of perfect running. 

And you are looking for a road bike, not a tri bike, correct?

Are you sure you aren't describing my roadie, LOL!  Well, mainly the triple and the age.  Happy bike shopping, can't wait to hear and see the results!

Uhhhh, new?  As I said before, I got NO business even thinking about one. I need to work on the engine!

Yes, I am.  I test road the Cannondale Super Six, Cannondale Synapse, and Cannondale CAAD.

I LOVE the Cannondale Synapse!  It's aggressive enough for quick handling, but a little more laid back for long rides.  The SuperSix was really tight and uncomfortable (headset too far down).  Looking at the Synapse 3 (it's full carbon with Ultegra). Here's the regular and here's the women's.  I love the carbon and blue of the regular geometry.

Of course, it'll all be on hold until I actually sell bikes.  I'm also planning to ride bikes more tomorrow.

If the regular is as comfortable, I am definitely getting that one.  I rode the women's one as they don't currently have the regular one in stock in my size.  They will be getting one soon, so I can try that.  I think it's just a question of geometry.

Alright, here is what I consider to be a reasonable definition of strides:

"Strides are those 60- to 100-meter "pickups" that runners typically do just before speedwork or races. In these instances, they generally warm up well, stretch, and then use strides as a finishing touch to ease into fast-running mode. The reasons for doing strides before a bout of fast running are multiple: muscles need to be flooded with blood, fast-twitch muscle fibers need to be recruited, and race pace must be briefly simulated to get the body and mind ready to run fast.

Strides also improve your neuromuscular coordination, as the bursts of speed stimulate neural pathways. Just as a pianist's fingers fly over scales that have been practiced repeatedly, your coordination and form become more fluid from these short but frequent doses of speed tacked onto the ends of easy runs. Result: You become faster."

What is important is to be sure they are "fast" not "hard." The best way I can describe this is to move your body forward quickly but do so with your entire body relaxed. Don't tighten your face with strain or clench your jaw, don't ball your fists. Try your best to be fluid. I know this is easier said than done but that is why we practice it. Strides should truly be your version of perfect running. 

Just did my first 1.2 mile strait swim. Glad it's done so that I don't have that mental block on race day.

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Good luck to Michael, Jo, Jayne, Ann-Marie!!!!