Ironman USA Lake Placid : Official Thread (Page 8)

There is an old abandoned gigantic bowling alley in Armonk, NY that would be the perfect size for an indoor velodrome. I just need an $8M investment for the property....

Been super happy with my Kurt Kinetic. Regardless of which trainer you get, get a trainer tire, like Conti's yellow one. Its cheap and lasts forever.

Edited by wstchstrTriathlete 2010-10-11 4:26 PM

I have a cycle ops fluid trainer and used it for years, two years ago I upgraded to CT.

Dream Chaser 'Bobby' BQed yesterday at his Mary!

Not sure if he is planning doing Boston in April and LP in July in '11.

Whoo Hoo - congratulations DC - a BQ is nothing to sniff at - really awesome!



I think it is awesome that you can watch it front to back. Watching in real-time the swimmer that missed the cutoff by seconds, without the dramatic voiceover, was VERY emotional though...

I have 3 different trainers, and like each one for different reasons. #4 may also be an option, depending on where you live...

1) an old set of 4" aluminum rollers  - for me these are great for a) showing off and b) developing form, low heart rate warm-ups before going out for a run and for more of a "real" road feel. Not a lot of resistance, but smaller diameter drums or a resistance unit would change that. NO WAY I would ever try to ride them for long stuff, or power workouts. They are not nearly as exciting when you ride off of them as you would imagine, but still not all that fun - mostly because it happens when your mind wanders - which I suppose happens quite a bit during IM winter training....

2) CycleOps Fluid 2 - nice and quiet - but as mentioned before, a trainer-only tire is a must, even adjusted correctly, it does wear tires much, much faster than the road. Also, I never really like the stresses that it seems to put on my bike - I know they are probably the same as on the road, but for some reason it just seems magnified. Especially the more expensive the bike is that you put on them...

3) Lemond Revmaster spin bike - I like this one for both long rides and drills - very, very quiet and I have found it good to do very specific, time-based workouts - gets you out of that MPH/Distance mentality. The newest version also has power, I think...? Four years ago I rode this all winter and was very surprised how fit I was when I got back out on the road.

4) $1000 worth of winter cycling clothes. Three years ago I went out and bought everything I needed for 3 days of riding between laundering, and this is about what I spent, I think. Granted, our coldest rides here are 25~32 degrees, and we don't have a lot of those. If it is colder than that, we can simply switch a day and it will probably be at least a little better tomorrow. That said, I am happy rolling out in 28 degrees for a 4 hour ride - dressed appropriately, you can actually be pretty comfy. Clothing is just another kind of function-specific equipment that extends the useful life of the rest of my very-expensive function-specific equipment. The trainer does allow you to ride after-hours, but I am also content in getting out before sun up to ride (with lots of lights and reflectors, of course) but I am not a big fan in the evenings... That seems to be the only time I have been riding the trainer for the past several years.

All that said - if I were in the market for a new trainer, and was looking for what should be very good progressive resistance and did not mind how loud it was, I might look at the new Lemond Revolution Direct Drive Trainer due out to the public this month (Garmin Transitions has been using it for a little while):

http://www.lemondfitness.com/product_detail/465/lemond-revolution

or similar by Bike Technologies Australia:

http://www.biketechnologies.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=54

The Kurt Kinetic "Rock and Roll" also looks interesting, not sure how much of a gimmick it is, and whether or not it would put more or less stress on our fancy carbon machines....?

http://www.kurtkinetic.com/rock-roll-p-112-l-en.html

A computrainer would be awesome.





Edited by TankBoy 2010-10-11 6:18 PM

I would much rather just buy a simple trainer and then spend other funds on aero helmet, race wheels, home entertainment system for trainer rides, etc.

how much time are you going to be spending on the trainer this winter? I used to use a simple magnetic trainer and switching to a fluid trainer like the Kurt Kinetic is leaps and bounds better. IMO a good trainer is worth the $$$ if are spending a lot of time on it.

Since the topic of trainers has been coming up, how many here use a CompuTrainer?

If going the CompuTrainer route, is it one of those "you go CompuTrainer, you never go back" kind of things? Are they really that much better than a regular trainer because of the extra functionality?

I currently use a PowerTap with a Kurt Kinetic, and I mostly just spin at a constant wattage while watching a movie off Netflix. This winter I would like to "spice" my workouts up, but not necessarily through intervals. I like variable terrain.

Is it possible to map a route out on mapmyride.com, export the GPX file data and import it into the computrainer software then basically ride that course with the computrainer changing the resistance to mimic hills, flats, downhills, etc? THOSE kind of workouts I like much better and keep my motivation up to train indoors.

I had a Cycleops fluid trainer and bought a CT from a BTer two years ago. Is it better? Yes but I use it only in ergo mode which locks in watts and whatever gear or cadence you ride it holds those watts so I can do my workout. I have a coach so my workouts are based on watts.

I don't do long trainer rides on CT. I don't use all the features of CT but do train what I feel is the best way which for me lots of intervals working hard on the trainer.

CT is great.....if you think the cycleops provides life like feel, wait until you get on a CT.....

very road like......

By simple trainer, I meant a decent fluid trainer as opposed to a high cost spin bike and such.

I own a nice KK and I think it is well worth the investment as opposed to an old magnetic.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I think I'm going with the Kinetic Road Machine...  It looks like they're on sale right now at REI too which is a bonus... although a little to early to start riding on the trainer in DC while the weather is still nice...

One decision down... countless more to go!

Although I CLEARLY understand how important it is, strength training has never really been my bag. As part of my base phase, my coach has me doing 3 weeks of "strength acclimation" then 5 weeks of "strength/endurance" work. After that I will begin approximately 12 weeks of general prep work. This week for example I only have 1 run, 1 bike, and 2 swims scheduled, but several strength sessions - how crazy is that???

So my question of the week is this: How many of you incorporate strength training as an explicit component in your periodization? Is my coach simply trying to drive me crazy - I mean he knows I just want to swim bike and run!  ;^)

And perhaps more importantly, what am I supposed to do with all this extra time on my hands???

Did you understand how the training would be before committing to this coach?

If you don't like it ask some questions and make sure you are on board with the why and what you will be doing.

One thing I did when looking at coaches is compare their philosophy and method of training compared to what I know has worked for me in the past.

Me if I don't run 3x a week I get worse on the run and it takes me about twice as long to get it back from when I didn't do enough or any running.

I do strength training in off season. Last year I did Cross Fit. I'm older women so strength training is probably more important health wise for me than most of you younger men. When I start up strength strength acclimation helped me avoid get nasty case of DOMS.

Extra time...do fun stuff with family and friends as 6 months from now time will be very limited.

Next week I have:
3x SBR each and 2x ST
It is like that for the next month I think

It's not only for strength.  Another major reason from my coaches methodology (realizing that there are different approaches and not going into what's wrong or right)....is that it produces an anabolic response that helps balance the catabolic effect of the endurance work.  It helps in recovery too.

I admit to not instantly being in love with my training plan but as I go through it I am starting to feel better and better about what I'm doing and have bought in.  You have to trust it and follow it or it's worthless....I'll let you know how I feel in a couple of months though

CT is great... easy to use, but definitely $$$. It's great being able to "ride" courses before seeing them in person, or even using the Real Course rides. But some of the best benefits seem to come from ERG mode. Looking forward to tracking this thread and seeing everyone up in Placid.

Strength training is a very important part to training.  But don't think strength training is all gym/weight work.  It is polymetrics, big gear work, hill work, etc.

I do believe that strength training is not only important, especially with ironman training, but essential.

My two cents but makes sense 

Why not get the both of both worlds.  A fluid trainer and a power meter.  Not only will you be covered indoors but also outdoors.  There are also many dvd's out there that simulate race courses.

Power is good for pacing and will help you not blow up your legs.  But when racing long, HR is also a good indicator along with PE.

Take a power meter to the race venue, and record your ride at two different paces.  Analyse your data and you will have everything you need as far as how many calories you need, when you can push, when you should sit back and recover, etc. 

I agree.  PM is a great tool for training.  I do not necessarily see the need during a race as with long races HR is just as good because it has time to settle in.

I do like to have my athletes unplug and use PE some times during training.  I also feel that some people need to put down the technology during racing as it make them not race as hard as they could have because they were to worried about going over or under a number.

 

No worries.  The tour is being played in almost every store and restaurant in LP during race week.  Best of both worlds.

Mirror Lake Inn is great.  The cost is tough but if you are going with your family, it will keep them comfortable and close during race week.