Training Status??? (II)
04-22-10, 03:12 PM
#7851
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Hopefully me going into debt so I wasn't another card punching unhappy turd as is often the case in my family means that my kids have the chance to do this.
i guess the possibility exists that other people might be in a similar position so the short version is:
when youre finishing up school and you have a skill or talent or passion that gives you the opportunity to do something wild and daring and risky vs going straight to the cube farm or gradschool or a post grad program, i strongly believe in going for the hail mary. you can always go back to school and theres a good chance you'll end up in the cube farm eventually anyway. the difference is that some people are married and mortgaged and parents by 25 and even if theyre happy they'll spend the rest of thier lives wondering what might have happened, whereas if you take the leap while youre young and financially unencumbered, you try something for a while, whether its riding your bike for a living or being an urban starving artist or traveling or whatever... your chances or regretting it later are pretty minimal, even if it doesnt turn out to be viable long term. i went the starving artist route and while at 33 i'm back in the cubefarm like everyone else, i have 6 years of awesome experiences and memories to show for it, and the demands that sort of lifestyle, the commitment and sacrifice are more than i've ever faced in any subsequent professional situation, so life now is comparatively easy (except for training, interestingly, thats hard). i dont presume to speak for everyone, but i know a lot of people who went straight into the button down life, a number of people who are still working artists in thier 30s and 40s, and a lot of people who took the gradschool of life route before settling down, and the last category are healthier and happier than the other two, in general.
when youre finishing up school and you have a skill or talent or passion that gives you the opportunity to do something wild and daring and risky vs going straight to the cube farm or gradschool or a post grad program, i strongly believe in going for the hail mary. you can always go back to school and theres a good chance you'll end up in the cube farm eventually anyway. the difference is that some people are married and mortgaged and parents by 25 and even if theyre happy they'll spend the rest of thier lives wondering what might have happened, whereas if you take the leap while youre young and financially unencumbered, you try something for a while, whether its riding your bike for a living or being an urban starving artist or traveling or whatever... your chances or regretting it later are pretty minimal, even if it doesnt turn out to be viable long term. i went the starving artist route and while at 33 i'm back in the cubefarm like everyone else, i have 6 years of awesome experiences and memories to show for it, and the demands that sort of lifestyle, the commitment and sacrifice are more than i've ever faced in any subsequent professional situation, so life now is comparatively easy (except for training, interestingly, thats hard). i dont presume to speak for everyone, but i know a lot of people who went straight into the button down life, a number of people who are still working artists in thier 30s and 40s, and a lot of people who took the gradschool of life route before settling down, and the last category are healthier and happier than the other two, in general.
04-22-10, 03:16 PM
#7852
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Actually, the romantic notion of doing something like this initially depresses me but ultimately I'm not sure what I'd change about my life right now outside of a job I'm more interested in.
I've got a friend who moved to Portland on a whim with his girlfriend and they are having fun there but want to move home. I've got two more single friends who are out doing their best to almost get STD's from the San Diego night life and that sounds somewhat fun. Other than that, all I want is to ride my motorcycle, race my bicycle, and enjoy life with the lady.
I've got a friend who moved to Portland on a whim with his girlfriend and they are having fun there but want to move home. I've got two more single friends who are out doing their best to almost get STD's from the San Diego night life and that sounds somewhat fun. Other than that, all I want is to ride my motorcycle, race my bicycle, and enjoy life with the lady.
04-22-10, 03:57 PM
#7855
Genetics have failed me
Struck a nerve with ol' tspek it appears 
__________________
Gelato aficionado.
Gelato aficionado.
04-22-10, 06:05 PM
#7856
Elite Fred
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Set a new record for getting dropped on the local hammerfest. I started the day with tired legs by design with my training plan, so if things went ballistic today I was going OTB. I had no idea that it would happen so fast.
The feces hit the rotating blades right from the get go and I was near the front, but on my way to the back. Once I got there a couple of noobs blew up in such a way that they and some traffic blocked my path as I watched the main group go up the road. I sprinted at 32 mph for about a minute and closed most of the gap. I started to fade and 30 mph was only holding the gap at 30 meters. I threw in the towel and just did a hard tempo ride.
The feces hit the rotating blades right from the get go and I was near the front, but on my way to the back. Once I got there a couple of noobs blew up in such a way that they and some traffic blocked my path as I watched the main group go up the road. I sprinted at 32 mph for about a minute and closed most of the gap. I started to fade and 30 mph was only holding the gap at 30 meters. I threw in the towel and just did a hard tempo ride.
04-22-10, 06:44 PM
#7857
gmt
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sucks when people open gaps in front of you.
today = FAIL for me.
I had one job to do: negative split on 20km TT based on new FTP estimate. Missed my target by about 15w. Conditions were not the best (16mph headwind out and cold). After crossing the line I checked the powertap torque and, sure enough, "-0" meaning it was not properly zeroed and reading low. Unfortunately I don't know HOW many watts low. Frak.
Can't even estimate power based on previous TTs on this course because this godawful headwind was the worst ever on this course. Hit some ludicrous speeds on the back leg though. 34 on the flats at times. overall times were all a bit slow.
I'm leaving FTP where it is for now.
today = FAIL for me.
I had one job to do: negative split on 20km TT based on new FTP estimate. Missed my target by about 15w. Conditions were not the best (16mph headwind out and cold). After crossing the line I checked the powertap torque and, sure enough, "-0" meaning it was not properly zeroed and reading low. Unfortunately I don't know HOW many watts low. Frak.
Can't even estimate power based on previous TTs on this course because this godawful headwind was the worst ever on this course. Hit some ludicrous speeds on the back leg though. 34 on the flats at times. overall times were all a bit slow.
I'm leaving FTP where it is for now.
04-22-10, 06:57 PM
#7858
Elite Fred
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In a real race I blame myself and not them for getting in that situation. As for tonight all that got hurt was pride.
Wait till you hear about my epic fail tomorrow. I have a 40 km TT coming up on May 1 and this weekend I am on travel without a bike. The training plan has been to dig an enormous hole through tomorrow and then take three days off. Tomorrow I go as hard as I can for 45 minutes on the TT bike. It will be both slow and painful because I have been digging a training hole for almost a week. Tomorrow will totally suck.
Kensuf has already started to taper for it. Smart guy.
Wait till you hear about my epic fail tomorrow. I have a 40 km TT coming up on May 1 and this weekend I am on travel without a bike. The training plan has been to dig an enormous hole through tomorrow and then take three days off. Tomorrow I go as hard as I can for 45 minutes on the TT bike. It will be both slow and painful because I have been digging a training hole for almost a week. Tomorrow will totally suck.
Kensuf has already started to taper for it. Smart guy.
04-22-10, 07:21 PM
#7860
One speed: FAST !
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I'm finally starting to dig myself out of an illness hole from last week's fever =(
I would say I've lost a bit of aerobic capacity ... maybe ... don't know for sure but I'm still in suck mode.
I would say I've lost a bit of aerobic capacity ... maybe ... don't know for sure but I'm still in suck mode.
04-22-10, 11:00 PM
#7861
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New max power today, 1117W. 5s was a few W lower than my best, but 10s was 999W which is a best for me by a good amount. Too bad it wasn't 1 more watt 
04-22-10, 11:12 PM
#7862
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2 hrs ~ 35 miles... bored, did a single 20' interval, but my HR didn't really respond. normally i do those at ~175 bpm, today i averaged about 162
Is this what occurs when you come down off a peak? I raced long and hard last weekend, and figure my legs are still recovering from it. but maybe it's cause im no longer peaked.... dunno
Is this what occurs when you come down off a peak? I raced long and hard last weekend, and figure my legs are still recovering from it. but maybe it's cause im no longer peaked.... dunno
04-23-10, 05:41 AM
#7864
My idea of fun
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75 minutes of zone one goodness last night. Easy spinning, cadence around 105, 14mph average. Sometimes you gotta go slow to go fast, right?
Also, after careful consideration, I moved my deep tissue massage to today. I'll do yoga Sunday night.
Also, after careful consideration, I moved my deep tissue massage to today. I'll do yoga Sunday night.
04-23-10, 06:42 AM
#7866
Draught
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Mellow Thursday night ride turned into massive soul crushing by the fast guys.
Cat II who is racing Sat and Sunday pushed hard. I popped about 8 miles in. Was already sore from this week and didn't want to push it, but I don't think I could have realistically hung on had I tried. Stayed in purgatory for another 6 miles and then waited for the b group.
When the A group (longer loop) rejoined the Bs they were down to three. Cat II, another sadistic bastard, and a guy who claims to ride for enjoyment.
Ended up for me 2:00 at .92IF
Cat II who is racing Sat and Sunday pushed hard. I popped about 8 miles in. Was already sore from this week and didn't want to push it, but I don't think I could have realistically hung on had I tried. Stayed in purgatory for another 6 miles and then waited for the b group.
When the A group (longer loop) rejoined the Bs they were down to three. Cat II, another sadistic bastard, and a guy who claims to ride for enjoyment.
Ended up for me 2:00 at .92IF
04-23-10, 07:04 AM
#7867
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Status: surprisingly sore, beat up and unmotivated.
So I was planning on some light leg openers today, but upon waking after 9 hours of deep sleep, I still feel very tired physically and mentally.
Yesterday was 35' of recovery commuting. Legs felt sore yesterday too. My upper body/neck is pretty knotted up as well.
So here's the question: what do I do today in prep for tommorrow morning's RR?
1. Drive to work and give the legs a full rest day. Very light massage only.
2. Do my commute in to work, just to get the legs moving a bit. Recovery pace.
3. Do some light openers as planned. 30' ride with a few spin ups.
comments welcome.
thanks.
So I was planning on some light leg openers today, but upon waking after 9 hours of deep sleep, I still feel very tired physically and mentally.
Yesterday was 35' of recovery commuting. Legs felt sore yesterday too. My upper body/neck is pretty knotted up as well.
So here's the question: what do I do today in prep for tommorrow morning's RR?
1. Drive to work and give the legs a full rest day. Very light massage only.
2. Do my commute in to work, just to get the legs moving a bit. Recovery pace.
3. Do some light openers as planned. 30' ride with a few spin ups.
comments welcome.
thanks.
04-23-10, 07:07 AM
#7868
Making a kilometer blurry
Status: surprisingly sore, beat up and unmotivated.
So I was planning on some light leg openers today, but upon waking after 9 hours of deep sleep, I still feel very tired physically and mentally.
Yesterday was 35' of recovery commuting. Legs felt sore yesterday too. My upper body/neck is pretty knotted up as well.
So here's the question: what do I do today in prep for tommorrow morning's RR?
1. Drive to work and give the legs a full rest day. Very light massage only.
2. Do my commute in to work, just to get the legs moving a bit. Recovery pace.
3. Do some light openers as planned. 30' ride with a few spin ups.
comments welcome.
thanks.
So I was planning on some light leg openers today, but upon waking after 9 hours of deep sleep, I still feel very tired physically and mentally.
Yesterday was 35' of recovery commuting. Legs felt sore yesterday too. My upper body/neck is pretty knotted up as well.
So here's the question: what do I do today in prep for tommorrow morning's RR?
1. Drive to work and give the legs a full rest day. Very light massage only.
2. Do my commute in to work, just to get the legs moving a bit. Recovery pace.
3. Do some light openers as planned. 30' ride with a few spin ups.
comments welcome.
thanks.
04-23-10, 07:10 AM
#7869
Senior Member
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BUT, i was planning a longer than usuall WU at the race, which is 25' on the trainer. Mainly z1-2 witha few efforts to get opened up for the race...
04-23-10, 07:36 AM
#7870
Making a kilometer blurry
Yeah, go with your gut on the warmup. I have a finite number of pedal strokes due to my limited endurance training 
04-23-10, 11:31 AM
#7871
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Do you guys do most of your structured intervals on the trainer? (2x20's, 5x5's, etc..) I am finding in incredibly difficult to do them outside with the PM. The terrain is always changing, power jumps all over the place (1 minute I am doing 375w up a short incline, next minute 150w descending), and I can't get a hold on whether or not I did, say, a 1 hour effort at 90% until I get home and download. It's like a crap shoot.
04-23-10, 11:52 AM
#7872
**** that
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Do you guys do most of your structured intervals on the trainer? (2x20's, 5x5's, etc..) I am finding in incredibly difficult to do them outside with the PM. The terrain is always changing, power jumps all over the place (1 minute I am doing 375w up a short incline, next minute 150w descending), and I can't get a hold on whether or not I did, say, a 1 hour effort at 90% until I get home and download. It's like a crap shoot.
Terrain can be annoying but I hate riding indoors so it's an easy choice for me.
04-23-10, 12:03 PM
#7873
Banned
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Do you guys do most of your structured intervals on the trainer? (2x20's, 5x5's, etc..) I am finding in incredibly difficult to do them outside with the PM. The terrain is always changing, power jumps all over the place (1 minute I am doing 375w up a short incline, next minute 150w descending), and I can't get a hold on whether or not I did, say, a 1 hour effort at 90% until I get home and download. It's like a crap shoot.
04-23-10, 12:38 PM
#7874
Senior Member
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practice is key.
I live in roller-ville so I know the challenge.
Pick the best possible course and then practice. This is what makes the PM the bees knees, though. No guessing. Practice x10.
After 3 years with a PM I can do pretty much any interval durration on any course.
04-23-10, 12:44 PM
#7875
Making a kilometer blurry
Did some SST today and hit a 1' test in the middle: 735W avg, Max 1495W
That's pretty low for me, but it's my first such effort since the crash 2.5 months ago and it was coming off some 450W pulls in our rotation on the lunch ride -- so not fresh. I usually warm up those test with a couple all-out sprints, but didn't today, so I was surprised to get so close to 1500W on launch.
At 30s I was still seeing 1000W, so I think I'm in good shape to race next week. Luckily we'll have about 6 guys there who could win, so I don't have that on my shoulders.
That's pretty low for me, but it's my first such effort since the crash 2.5 months ago and it was coming off some 450W pulls in our rotation on the lunch ride -- so not fresh. I usually warm up those test with a couple all-out sprints, but didn't today, so I was surprised to get so close to 1500W on launch.
At 30s I was still seeing 1000W, so I think I'm in good shape to race next week. Luckily we'll have about 6 guys there who could win, so I don't have that on my shoulders.
Last edited by waterrockets; 04-23-10 at 12:47 PM.