The Sled February 17, 2007
Posted by anton in : Training , 2 comments
The sled and I have been getting used to each other again lately…on the rollers mostly. Fridgid cold and ice have forced me indoors….which really is ok. On the trainer or rollers you can get a much more focused workout than outside. It’s why you’ll find most pros spend at least one day a week inside on the trainer even when the weather is good…especially for sprints and one legged drills and forcing your heart rate up into the stratosphere.
This is my current sled. Giant TCR1. Aluminium. Compact Frame size small. (I’m inseam impaired) I just don’t trust carbon fiber… Of course if someone wants to give me a free CF bike to use I’d be happy to ride it till it breaks! Won’t even go CF bars. You pretty much have to replace em after a crash..or should. I don’t have that kind of bread.
Drive chain is Dura-Ace Time trial. Sa-Weet! 53/42. Cog set 12/27. Bontrager CF wheels. Yeah, I know CF for the wheels but not the bike? Got a good deal on them and using them drops the bike down to 16 pounds. Had them since 2004 when I got them for IMLP…good wheels…and I bought them to replace my Spynergy CF wheels…WHICH CRACKED after two races.
The rest of the gruppo is Ultegra. New as of May 1st…Zero G brakes. Look Keo Pedals. Saddle is Terry Fly…which recently is leaving me numb and with a high voice…SelleSMP Strike pro on the way (5/6/2007)
But as I often tell folks…it isn’t the bike…it’s the motor. You go to a race and get spanked by folks on 1970 Schwinn Paramounts and scream past others on a $7,000 Elite. Each according to their wallet… but the danger is to put too much faith in technology. Bike shops are out to make money…they want you in the most expensive bike you can afford…you run into people all the time that are on the wrong bike. It doesn’t fit. It’s wrong for the kind of riding they do. They bought it because the LBS (local bike shop) said it’s what they “need” if they want to get to Kona. (If you want to sell something to a triathlete tell them “This will help get you to Kona.” The Ironman World Champs)
Really…it doesn’t matter what you race on…if you are comfortable, if it fits you, if it makes you feel like Jens Voight, ride it. Be happy. Ignore the bike snobs and Carbon Fiber Thread Counters.
Free Space February 7, 2007
Posted by anton in : Training , 1 comment so farBingo! You’ve played it…although you might not want to admit it. Playing it as a kid is, well, being a kid…playing it for money as an adult is…”old”
Remember the center of the card where it says “Free Space?”
That’s today…a free space.
Snow and cold temps have closed schools here so that’s a day off for me. A chance to catch up on the blog,read some, watch a few movies while I go for a long ride on the trainer.
It’s nice to have a free space and really many people don’t get them…I see people drive by on their way to work despite the weather.
In training people don’t often take time off from the long chain of workouts…I’ve been noticing a number of threads at the Trifuel.com web site recently…folks talking about being tired and sore and a bit frazzled. It’s February. Somtimes you need to make your own Free Space.
I’m coming back right now from a week off. I mean off. Didn’t do a thing. No running or biking or swimming or strength training. Sa-weet!
Just finished three distance events in three months (MCM,JFK,GoofyChallenge) and need a break, so I took it. Decreased my volume…took the week and now building again…expecting to be back in top form in a few weeks and on schedule for IMLP.
The funny thing is I haven’t been in top form for months and months. I know now that I will be…the time off did it. The first time I have taken a week completely off in years. Fun. Refeshing. Needed.
Now…I’m pumped. Ready for the up coming year of races and shenanigians.
Here they are: The bought and paid for races or definately will do’s (can’t register yet)
Virginia Duathlon
GW Parkway 10 Miler
Tarwheel Century
Columbia Olympic
Tin Man 1/2 Iron
Ironman Lake Placid
Chessieman Iron distance
JFK 50 Miler
There will be some jump in’s and local races and Chessieman is up in the air. It’s either that or the Double Ironman that’s been calling my name…I’d like to do one before too much more time goes by.
Oh and in there I’ll be hoping for a little “Free Space.” If I don’t get it….I’ll take it!