Tag: cycling

Sometimes it sucks

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Last Thursday, I fought through a 90 minute ride, with the final 10 minutes feeling like 100 minutes. I could feel the energy slipping away from my legs. I was so drained, I skipped my 15 minute transition run. Friday’s a new day, right? Wrong. I slogged through 3200 yards of swimming. On good days, I can swim 3200 yards to warm up for the rest of my workout. On this day, those same 3200 yards sent me to the couch for a 2-hour nap. And, then it was Saturday morning. Time for another long ride. Three hours. Sigh. I’m …

Wait, how many feet is that? Previewing IM Mont Tremblant on the CompuTrainer

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Elevation profile for the Ironman Mont Tremblant bike course. I opened my Training Peaks schedule on Christmas Eve to find a 3-hour hilly ride that my coach, Vince Matteo, had scheduled. This would be my first 3-hour ride since September. For me, the three-hour ride is a sure sign of beginning base training for an Ironman. With Ironman Mont Tremblant 7 months away that’s exactly right where I need to be. Usually, I would opt to do my long ride outdoors. But, a few factors drove me to the CompuTrainer for this ride. Most importantly, it was only 35-degrees. The …

A little help from my friends

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If you cycle or if you’ve seen cyclists, then you know that cyclists typically ride in groups – sometimes of only 2 or 3, other times of 20, 30 or more. And, then there’s me. I don’t ride with other people. Ever. I do all of my training rides solo: just me, the velo and miles of open road. Oh, if it were only that romantic! But it’s not. In reality, it’s holding me back from reaching my potential. While going solo is good for mental toughness, solitary cycling for every ride is not necessarily the road to success, particularly …

Promises to keep

There’s nothing like biting off more than you can chew, and then chewing anyway. ~Mark Burnett   My cycling was a disappointment last season. While my first Ironman was best day of my life so far, I made a promise to myself that this year, my performance will be better. And by “better” I mean faster. A lot faster. In the afterglow of IMLP 2010, I initially set what I thought was an aggressive goal: a 12 hour and 30 minute Ironman for 2011, which would be 1 hour and 3 minutes faster than my debut effort. John’s response? “You’ll …

Where it matters most: Heading for the hills

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It’s time to test my mettle. It’s time to see if all of this cycling-focused training has made a difference where it matters the most. It’s time to return to Lake Placid. John and I are heading north for the Fireman Ironman May Training Camp, which is run by NY City Fireman Larry Parker. Last year, John and I went to the June training camp, and it was such a positive experience, I can hardly wait to do it again–and again (for the June camp). We made friends, learned valuable tips, and swam, rode, and ran ’til our bodies cried …

CompuTrainer’s Coaching Software versus 3D Software: Assessing value for interval training

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The CompuTrainer comes with three software options for loading rides: 3D software, Coaching Software, and the Real Course Video. Each of these packages has advantages and disadvantages for the particular type of workout you want to complete on the CompuTrainer. My “everyday” training is done using either the 3D software or the Coaching Software, saving my Lake Placid RCV for “special” occasions :). So, I thought I’d offer up my thoughts about the relative advantages of the two packages, specifically with respect to interval training. Until last week, I followed the prescription in the Performance Improvement Gurantee (PIG) program, and …

You spin my wheel *the right way* round: Using the Spin Scan Analyzer

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In my maybe-not-so-humble opinion, I’ve had a successful 7 weeks of cycling, both on the CompuTrainer (CT) and on the Road. I’ve steadily increased my average watts across all types of rides. During my first three weeks with the CompuTrainer, from February 19-March 13, I averaged 159.9 watts on all of my rides combined. During the past four weeks (March 14-April 9), that average has risen to 170.7 watts (2.9 watts/kilogram). After the Boston Marathon (April 18th), I plan to do another FTP test to mark improvement in my power threshold. Stay posted for that number coming soon! I’ve taken …

Making goals believable: Sampling the Quassy HalfRev Course

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I might be a desperate masochist, but those Rev3 folks are sadists. The Quassy HalfRev course is proof enough. Cold temperatures drove me indoors for this week’s long ride, scheduled to be a 3 hour session. Hmmm. 3 hours on the trainer – that’s just a touch less than a half iron distance course for me. My mind immediately went to Quassy, which we will do for the first time this summer in Middlebury, CT on June 5th. One of the best aspects of having a CompuTrainer, versus a standard trainer, is being able to download and “ride” almost any …

The cheating metal man might have a point

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Do you see the metal man, thinking he’s all cool and fast and sleek with his uber aerodynamic silvery slick suit? Start screen on the CompuTrainer 3D software. This is how a virtual ride begins. He’s a cheater. That’s right, I said it. He. Cheats. The rider to the left is a representation of me. I’m not a cheater. I don’t have a cool metal suit. I’m vulnerable to metal man’s cheating ways. If you don’t have a CompuTrainer, you may be wondering who this silvery swindler is. He’s the pacer included in the 3D software package that comes with …

Moving from “how far?” to “how fast?”: Part 1

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On Thursday, I received a text from my friend Courtney, “Did another 6 on Monday in 52 minutes. How do u increase speed for longer runs?” I’ve been helping Courtney, along with friends Wendy, Kelly, and Joanna, train for the Atlantic City April Fool’s 11k Run, which will be held on April 3. Most of them had never run that far before (11k = 6.83 miles). Their big question: Will I be able to run this far? I knew they could, so I offered up some tips and tricks to guide their training and boost their confidence. I created a …