Andrew Haberkorn's Group - FULL (Page 8)

Great post on HRMs and how they can be utilized!  Anyone considering one, should take a look at this post.  It definitely isn't a must-have, but it can be useful in keeping yourself in check.

Almost seems like I need to dust mine off considering I can't seem to control my runs...WHOOPS!  

SNAZZY!! and very Sassy!!

Is there anything affordable that is waterproof?

The waterproof issue is two-pronged question when dealing with us triathletes:

1) Will the HRM work while I'm swimming?  I have never come across a HRM that will actually read your heart rate *accurately* while swimming.  Some claim to work, and I've heard stories of people that get it to work, but there is a high likelihood that it won't be accurate (if it works at all).  

2) Can I wear this HRM during the swim so it will be useful when I get onto the bike/run?  Most HRM are water proof, in the sense that you can wear it during the swim and it won't stop working.  Be careful if you want to go the HRM + GPS route - many of Garmin's products aren't REALLY waterproof to the point you'd want to swim with them.  If you want GPS, I'd go with the Timex Global Trainer or the Garmin 310XT.  

If you are trying to avoid breaking the bank, look into Polar as they should have some waterproof watches that are not as pricey (but don't have GPS).

Drew 

alright, I lugged the bike and rollers into the house to avoid the coooold garage and did 45 minutes at lunch today.  It actually worked real well, I moved the computer monitor over in front of the bike, plugged in my headphones and watched the Kona Ironman again.  I'm currently downloading a Sufferfest video to try out next time.  I hear they are... fun?

Just for fun, here's a photo of my new indoor workout space with my awesome(!?!) tri bike (I'll remove the rack and panniers before racing...).  My wife came out in the middle of my workout, I don't think she was impressed with my new use of the space.   On the plus side, she said she couldn't hear me at all from her office (on the other side of the house).  It's pretty loud cause there is a decent tread on the rear tire that howls on the rollers.

very nice bike, which brand is that?

LOVE the green, btw!

Dixie - Your bike looks awesome!  Those wheels look like they mean business.  Very cool.

David - I'm digging your setup (the rollers and the iMac).  I've always wanted to try rollers.  They look like a lot of fun but I'd probably need more padded items around them (I almost fell off an elliptical at the gym once).  

I didn't do much of anything on Saturday but I did go out for a "long run" with my brother on Sunday.  We did a 4.1 mile loop around his town.  It was a beautiful sunny day and it was nice to run with my little bro.  Most of the sidewalks we ran on were covered in some form of snow but all-in-all, it wasn't too bad.  My weekday runs have all been after work, in the dark.  The little out and back route that I do has side walks the entire way and I run with a light so it's not too dangerous.  It's actually pretty cool but running during the day is nice too.  I think I'm actually starting to enjoy running.

I've been running quite a bit (for me) and am starting to feel a bit rundown (no pun intended).  My legs are sore and I might be getting sick.  I made the mistake of telling someone last week that "I don't get sick."  Famous last words...

If by some miracle I feel good tomorrow, I'm going to swim at the Y in the evening.  If not, I'm taking two days off to recoup.  We're expecting a foot of snow on Wednesday and I'm already planning on taking the day off to relax.

Thanks for all the comments and feedback about HR monitor/ GPS units.  I'll definitely be picking one up at some point after I get a road bike.  I love gadgets and gear and have a tendency to go overboard sometimes buying stuff.  I'm trying to show some restraint.  We'll see how it goes.

That's it for me.  Good night Tri-peeps.

If you're not familiar with it, you should checkout DC Rainmaker's blog for all things garmin/tri-tech.  He has a great review of just about every product out there. 

Here is a link to his Product Reviews page:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/p/product-reviews.html

I actually raced against him in one event last year.  He hit the podium - I was DFL. 

Still, a memorable day.

Thanks.  It is a Raleigh. 

I have seen so many brands of bikes it is crazy. I am thinking about looking into buying a tri bike, but dont want to spend a ton on one. If I were to look for a bike around 1000 dollars, any good suggestions out there? Brands or specific bikes would be awesome.

I found a couple possible used bikes:

http://omaha.craigslist.org/bik/2148359665.html

http://omaha.craigslist.org/bik/2126060986.html

are either of these worth it?

actually I think that this one might be better...

http://omaha.craigslist.org/bik/2153671650.html

Looks nice!!

My apologies for being MIA.

Regarding heart rate monitors – most polar heart rate monitors with the ‘wind’ straps (the soft ones) will work in the water. That being said I think heart rate monitoring while swimming is not that valuable. In my Masters Swim class we will take our pulse following sets for 10 seconds – our coach wants you to be 22 – 25 for a hard set (25 x 6 = 150 – which is probably > 75% of max for almost everyone). We also use WHITE, PINK, RED, PURPLE to gage swim intensity – that is the color of your face when you finish the set. The color chart is EXTREMELY accurate.

I had a tough half marathon on Sunday. This was the first race that I have not PR’d in a couple of years ( 5k’s, 2 12k’s, 7 half marathons and various other races). I’m not big into reasons (excuses) – you either execute or you don’t. I’ll follow up later with why I was not able to execute at the level that I wanted to. – race report - http://hubcitytri.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-first-light-half-marath...

I think $900 for the Trek 520 is grossly over-priced. 

If it is the 2003 model, which was "Rainforest Green", it retailed at $1,100.  Riden or not, it's value has depreciated far more than $200. 

Granted, it comes with an extra set of wheels; however, on a tight budget, are they really necissary for a starter bike?  Given no details are provided about the extra wheels, one has to assume they are nothing more than stock.

 

do new tires really make that much of a difference?

well, here's my take...

bike #1:  Sora shifters.  Personally I don't like how these work because as far as I can tell you can't really shift them from the drops.  I have not spent any more than a test ride using them, so maybe it's just something I'd get used to, but my thinking is to go Tiagra at a minimum.  Tiagra functions pretty much just like the higher end Shimano shifters (105, Ultegra, etc.), Sora is quite different.  At $450, it's not a particuarly great deal. 

bike #2:  forget it.  Overpriced, and it's a touring bike. 

bike #3:  Obviously the highest quality bike listed here, but it's also the most money...  And at 62cm, you'd need to be 6'3" or so to fit it.  seems like a great bike at a decent price, if you're tall.

Agreed with what others have mentioned here.  My first road bike had Sora shifters and at the time, I didn't mind them, but now that I've moved on, I would agree to start with nothing less than Tiagra.   

Drew 

WOW!! a 4:03 for the last .62, That is impressive after 10 miles.  Great run, i can only run that speed in my dreams.

Weekend was great, Kids basketball games and practice and 9" of snow Sunday night ( not normal for Greenville,SC).  Just shoveled my drive and ready to hit the rollers.

Nothing wrong with sora but 105 is the sweet spot.

Ok today is the first time I knowingly broke my training plan. I ran my plans 12 min this morning. My family had been regularly running a 5k on tuesdays with a running club and my son has almost been 10 times to earn his shirt. I ran with him which was an extra 3 miles on my training. I ran at a 11:10 pace and did not even sweat so felt like it was a workout that did not overload me. I had been running prior to my tri training and I think it was ok. Am I wrong? I get the 10% rule just thought I could do this and not stress myself too much. Microspawn, I read some of your blog, and it inspired me to train consistently. I also know that I can do this and have found some new inspiration. Thanks for sharing!

Edited by bledsoepatriot 2011-01-11 10:51 PM

While the 10 percent is a great rule, especially for beginners, I think you will  be ok.  There are often times where I will tack on a few more miles outside of the 10 percent.  As long as you listen to your body and be careful with the pace, then its ok....or at least I find it ok for me.  I run lots, so my body is used to it.  But what works for me, may not for another  person.

Wow, report card week for me (I'm a teacher) has caused me to miss posting but not working out - Ben has inspired me to keep going and to join this group.  Both have resulted in a loss of 4 pounds this week! Today is a snow day for the school I work at, with about 12 inches of fresh snow on the ground.  I prepared by running two miles last night (intended three but started to feel sick) and then swimming a bit under 1,000 yards in the little 20-yard pool at the local Y (about 20 minutes from my house).

Drew - NICE RUN! Wow, I'm getting better over time...but your times are truly impressive!

Dixbry - I think it's awesome that you are using the swim clinic to help you. I wish there was something like that around where I live...and a tri club?! I'm totally jealous. What we do have is the Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic club, though.  We train in a large lake 1X/week when the weather is quite warm and track practice occurs on Thursdays when the weather is warm. Also - NICE BIKE!

David - so sorry about your cat.  I also dig your bike space and was inspired to take pictures of mine (which I will post).  Also, I FINALLY found one of my heart rate monitors that I SO count on when running anything longer than a 5K - so I appreciate the reminders and tips concerning heart rate.

Hollz - I'm definitely going to try out swimplan.com - so excited

Mandsberry - I also balance kids, work, meetings with workouts and I've found the BT plans to be a bit demanding. I just try to follow them 80% at least and be gentle with myself.

Ben - missed you at the pool - get well soon!

Bledsoepatriot - Yeti Chase?! AWESOME!

Mikered - it's tough to restart after a break - but now you can PR easier from here on out

I'm having a bit of trouble adjusting my trainer, so I grabbed a nearby old college textbook.  It usually doesn't need one. Suggestions?


Edited by gcoller 2011-01-12 10:27 AM

Also, a little weight area

nice!  I went UP 2 pounds last week...  It just reinforces what I already know (but like to ignore), it's not about how much I excercise, it's about what I eat.  

I like the textbook under the wheel idea, best use for a textbook I've seen in a while...

I saw this link in another thread, more stuff to watch while droning along on the trainer!  Full episodes of IM Hawaii, Florida and Arizona are now online.  http://www.universalsports.com/triathlon/index.html