SBR Utopia - OPEN (Page 80)

It's a long time till Halloween.

Well, prepare for it to be pretty slippery, especially without trail shoes. Also, deep mud has a tendency to suction your shoes right off your feet if you sink down into it. Much like any trail running it's important to stay light on your feet and stay focused on the changing terrain so you can avoid obstacles.

If it's really deep mud I might even recommend using shoes you don't care too much about. I've never had a lot of luck (or desire) to get shoes cleaned up after a mud fest.

Jason, do you race with EVO or 4000s ?

Having used both, would you say one is clearly faster ?

Do you believe in the aeroness factor ?

Do you believe one is more fragile than the other ?

I raced on the Vittoria Evo's in 2012.  In 2011 and 2010 I was racing on GP4000S. 

The EVO's feel faster to me and the ride seems smoother.  I'd say the Contis are more durable and something I would train on.  No way I would train on the EVOs.  I haven't had any problems with the EVOs as far as cuts or flatting (did flat once after hitting a huge pothole, but I don't think any race tire would have survived that).

I could be biased though in that the only time I use the EVOs last year were on my race wheels where I have used my Contis last year for training only.  The added boost I may think I'm feeling with the EVOs could also be coming from the other aero goodies I have.  Hard for me to remember how the Contis felt on the race wheels...especially since I was a stronger cyclist in 2012.

No idea on how the aerodynamics on each tire compare.

Ask yourself how much you spend on a pair of shoes - that's equal or more than a pair of tires, far more than latex tubes, a disc cover is $90, and an aero helmet can be just over $100.  Done slowly none of these purchases are a lot of money, and to Shane's post, the wattage savings/time savings are very measureable, and very hard to duplicate with just training.

After 5 years of racing I'm hoping to buy an aero front wheel this year, all the other purchases have been done slowly along the way, but they all help move you a little faster.

Hello, and thanks, looks like you guys are going to get hit pretty hard, stay safe.

I was never at your current run volume - but last year was around 150 miles/month with mostly steady/consistent running and not much faster running.  I ran a 10K PR off that prescription.  Most people do not realize that you can get faster that way and it is much safer from an injury perspective....which is why I liked the BarryP format so much.

Nice work! 

On the issues of shoes, and if you might also be following the discussion on ST (link below, it's a doozy), anyone using/used the Hoka's?  I assumed they were a gimmick, but Dan/Slowman's description sure does should like they would be right up my alley - as an older, adult onset runner; orthotics; 170lbs; constant foot pain.  With my feet, I need cushioning, so I'm never going to be in any sort of minimalist/lightweight shoe.

Thread (warning, it's got its share of crazy):

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=4414866;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

Article on the Hoka's from Dan: http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/Running_Footwear_by_brand/Hoka_One_One/What_Hoka_Means_3376.html

Thanks for the advice, I am sure I'm like a lot of you I have to weigh the cost/enjoyment factor into this equation. 

Nicely said. Doing 1 or 2 things and it might not make that much difference. Do a dozen and you'll see some very noticeable gains along the way.

hope you had a good ride this morning. I don't know how you do it in this cold. brrrrr. The wind gusts were pretty strong this morning as well. What milestone did you hit today?

I'm on Mendon mountain which is next to Killington. The snow forecast is currently ranging from 1 to 3 feet. After 2 feet it doesn't really matter, other than how much I'll be shoveling to get out. I usually take the thruway up past Albany and cut over but have stopped at the Hartford exits many time on trips up to RI or the cape.

how to tell I use to live on the Northern East Coast.  I saw 3ft and immediately said to myself...that's not so bad

Interesting.  I need to look through that thread.  I am stil using the shoes I was "fit" in 4-5 years ago, when I was a newer runner, and 40# heavier.  Probably time for a re-evaluation.  I do note on the review that jay/tribodyboarder uses and likes them, I respect his opinion and he's pretty swift for an older guy.

And you would be surprised the additional small gains you can make while spending little to no money.  Simply using zip ties to shore up your cables, zip ties to place a bottle cage between your aero bars, and packing tape to secure your race number ideally to your bike or to tape you flat kit nicely under your saddle.  All of that may cost you less than a dollar, and individually they may not seem like much...but when you do all of them, along with the other stuff...it starts to add up.

 Tomorrow will be a really big challenge. I have the mtb by the door ready to go. About 8" of snow right now and they say the heavy stuff will be here later. 24 plus inches predicted for this area. I need 6.2 miles to qualify as a ride so anytime after midnight I hear a plow I could be out the door (as long as I don't wake up my wife).

Swim class for tomorrow is cancelled and probably end up running on the treadmill. I hate the treadmill. But, the good news is I was able to get a bike to FEDEx before they closed to have it shipped to Florida for when I get there next week for the marathon. Should be able to keep the streak going down there. Enjoy your trip.

This is something good to bring up. Quite often it could be exactly the same. The only difference could literally be the model year.