Bicycle Trainer - It's Harder Than It Looks

I've been wanting to get a bicycle trainer for a while now, especially as I'm currently without a gym. Fortunately I know people who had a mag wheel bicycle trainer they weren't using, and they offered to let me have it.

Many moons ago, in preparation for one day getting a trainer, I purchased some TV Ears from Costco. I knew trainers could make a lot of noise, and I knew I'd never use the trainer if I couldn't be entertained at the same time. I figured the TV Ears made a pretty good hack for entertaining myself without blowing out my eardrums.

I wanted to get a mat to put down on my carpet, but those suckers are surprisingly expensive! I have some carpet remnants around so I decided I'd try to use that. I put it upside down because I figured if there would be any grease coming off the bike I wanted it to be on the underside of the carpet remnant and leave the top side for use down the line. I did make sure to get a block for the front tire.

The trainer didn't come with any directions so I had to look online to figure out how to use it. Although first I had to pump up my tires. Apparently they go kind of flat when you don't use them for months and months. Anyway, back to setup. I'm not the brightest bulb sometimes so I was really struggling with how to attach the back wheel. Fortunately I found enough of a video tutorial for a different trainer manufacturer on youtube and was able to figure out how to attach my bike.

Then came the moment of truth - had I done it? Turns out, no. I got on my bike and it promptly proceeded to fall over. Oops. I rechecked the quick release lever for the rear tire and screwed it into the system again. This time, happily, it seemed to hold.


I selected an episode of Merlin to watch on Netflix, as I figured 45 minutes or so would be pretty good. Hahaha. Turns out, even with the trainer on fairly low resistance it was still a lot more effort than I expected. I got about 20 minutes in and then hopped off the bike to take a breather. It felt like my heart was beating more than maybe it should be, or at least felt like it was beating more than when I went for my mile + run on New Year's Day. My poor body has been through so much lately, I'm not even entirely sure what kind of range I should be aiming for, heart-wise. Anyway, I took some time to let the cats climb all over me and sniff out the weird contraption in the middle of the living room while finishing the episode, and then got back to it.

I lowered the resistance all the way to the lowest possible spot, chose a much shorter episode of NewsRadio to watch next, and hopped back up. I can't say I moved my legs the entire time, but I was moving for a good portion of the episode. I am really glad I got the TV Ears. They are a little odd to use, but still fairly light and certainly good at giving me hearing over the trainer. I ended up flipping it around so that the battery part was actually resting more on the back of my neck than the front, so it would stop wobbling around.

I'm pleased that the only part of me that was sore today was the part making contact with the seat. Oof does that really wear on the bones. Someday I'm going to pony up the money and time for a proper bike fit to make sure I'm in the right spot, but until then I'll just keep wiggling around, trying to get comfortable.

Now, since it's been sitting there taunting me all evening, I think I'll attempt another NewsRadio episode "workout".

Saddle Sore

Egads, I have so little time left before the Philly Women's Tri next Sunday.

Two weeks ago I managed to get back in the pool. I spent my time in the deep end trying to mimic as much as possible an open water swim. It went ok, surprisingly. I am working on breathing only to the right instead of trying every third stroke, like I was trying to do last year. Rather unsuccessfully during open water swims, and only half-way successfully in the pool. Might as well change it up a bit.

Last Saturday a friend of mine was racing in the Philadelphia Insurance Tri, the only coed Philly race. I took my bike in with me to the city so I could ride the loop as practice before my race. Unfortunately for my friend, he got kicked in the shoulder during the swim which dislocated his shoulder so he couldn't finish the swim and therefore couldn't finish the race. Fortunately that hasn't curbed his desire to race again, so I look forward to cheering for him again!

I wore a pair of tri shorts and my new dragonfly jersey for my practice ride. The tri shorts were a bad idea, since I hadn't been on my bike in months. Over 6 months in fact, I think. My poor body was very unprepared for a long ride with such a little pad between me and the
bicycle seat. I managed to do the first loop, although not fast, and then I stopped to say hello to a massage buddy who was volunteering for the athletes. I probably spent about 30 minutes chatting, trying to decide whether I wanted to force the second loop or not. My ischial tuberosities (aka sitz bones) were already quite sore. I decided to persevere anyway, but the second loop was much much slower than the first loop.

I was saddle sore for an entire week! I still needed to spend more time on my bike, so today, on the 4th of July, I took advantage of the beautiful weather and got a 20 mile bike ride in. I was smarter though, I wore full on bike shorts with the thicker padding. I'm still a little sore, and tired, but I feel pretty good all things considered. Plus I'm wearing my Super Grover jersey, which always makes me happy.

My goal is to get on my bike at least 3 more times this week, and hopefully to get in the pool a couple of times before the tri. I had new house chores which work my arms a bit so I am less concerned about pool time. I have decided I'm going to walk the run portion next week, so I'm not going to worry at all about getting out for a run. If it happens, great, if it doesn't, well, there's always the week after PWT.

Just Like Riding A Bicycle?

I finally got to the gym today. I could have done a swim session because Tuesday nights is the late women's only swim, but instead I decided to do the Spinervals Ride Strong. Completing the Ride Strong workout session is a good judge of my fitness level.

I was irritated during my workout because the gym was having a cardio-fitness class and the instructor played the music So. Loud. it overpowered my earphones. I had to use the stupid earbuds that came with the ipod because I've misplaced my In-Ear ones and the buds were easier to find. I need to get more doohickeys for the Shur earphones. I also have a pair of these Skullcandy buds, but I'm not sure they sell replacement doohickeys for them. (Aha, they do!) Anyway, I'll be happier when I have the in-ear ones working.

I'm afraid I might be coming down with The Plague, so I chose to sweat rather than get cold in the pool It was hard doing that video! Man, two weeks was too long. I did complete the video and I didn't skip any parts, which was good. Now I'm going to try to rest, if the Insomnia Fairy leaves me alone.

Taper Week

I have been so sore from the ChiRunning Workshop that I have fallen again into a very quiet on the exercise front Taper Week.

On Monday I went for a bike ride and had the aim to brick as a way to move some of the lactic acid out of my muscles. I biked for almost 1.5 hours. I wasn't really pushing too hard, and I also had to stop every now and then because there was this weird noise coming from my bike. The last time I stopped the guy who sold me my bike stopped to help. That was kind of funny. Turns out the frame pump slid down from it's position a little and the crank was banging into it. Easy peasy problem to solve!

I tried to brick afterwards but my legs hurt so badly I didn't want to push it. Also, I'm a wuss when it comes to pain!

I was going to try to swim this week, but timing just isn't coming together for me. I'm really hoping the weather will cooperate so we don't have to du. There is a practice swim on Saturday, so at least I'll be able to get swim time in then. Also, woohoo! I found out that we are in the 7:30 am swim wave! Which means I have 5.5 hours to complete the tri! Man I hope I can do that.

I should be getting my tri stuff together and sleeping. So I will leave you with this article on Nation's Newbies and helpful tips. Make sure you read all the way to the end!

Workshops and Triathlons and Training, Oh My!

Well. I have not been remiss in training, even though I have been quite remiss in posting! I'll start from today and go back in time.

I received my new Terry bicycle seat in the mail today! I will shortly be putting the Butterfly Tri on my bike. I may or may not get to ride it today, but I will ride it before the weekend is out!

Also, I am planning to sign up for a ChiRunning workshop. I'll attend with S, and it'll be led by the master dude who wrote the book. I am still having issues with running, and a workshop should really help.

Yesterday I ran 3.5 miles. I was going to attempt 5, but then the sun was going down making it too hard to see so I was going to settle for 4 miles, but then my body rejected that notion after 3.5 miles so I walked the remaining .5 mile back to the car. This is why I need to do the workshop!

Tuesday I went for a 25 mile bike ride. I wanted to turn it into a brick workout, but didn't have enough time to do that and still get ready for work. Pleased with myself, though!

Monday I got 50 minutes in the pool. I was focusing more on backstroke than worrying about freestyling since I'll probably be doing more back work than crawl work in the race, but toward the end I was working on freestyle and did 5 laps free, one lap back, and 10 laps free, so I was pleased with that. My goal is to go camping this weekend (still need a tent and to decide which campground I want) to practice open water swimming to the extent I can.

Sunday I sherpa'd for S at the Irongirl Columbia MD tri. It's fun getting up when the sun still hasn't thought about making an appearance. I managed to cheer for her at every leg, although I didn't get pictures for the run or the bike. I also cheered for everyone I could on the bike leg, since I remember how much it helped my state of mind when people I didn't know cheered for me.






Last Saturday I went on a long bike ride with S's husband J through Rock Creek Park. We did about 26 miles! It's nice to train with someone.

Last week... what did I do? I know I went to Lake Beltzville to get some swimming in. There were a lot of people so that made it less fun. Which is why I need to try it again before the lakes closer swimming options after Labor Day. I got a 3 mile run in on Sunday. I know I got some pool time in, and I know I got some bike time in. Don't remember much more than that!

d is for destruction

Today I got to the gym a little too early for the pool, so I decided to take a book and do a mild walk on the treadmill since I hadn't brought running clothes and anyway did running yesterday. I get upstairs, fill my water bottle, and then turn towards the treadmill. Which is also the direction of the spinning bike. Then I notice the guy in the bike clothes on the floor with tools, messing with a pedal. Curious. I go over to see what he's doing and see that there's a cleat stuck in the pedal. Uh oh. I quickly think back to yesterday when I was using the spinning bike (for 60 minutes!) and how hard it was for me to unclip so that I could get off and put my running shoes on and do a brick session. Um, I believe that might be my cleat you are trying so hard to dislodge. Oops. I try to help and at some point he does manage to dislodge the cleat. I tell him and the guy who's in charge of the fitness center that I'll replace the pedals if they're broken. The fitness center dude tells me not to worry and if the pedals are broken the college will replace them, and really they're just glad I'm working out. Finally, the guy who just wanted to work out gets everything patched up and he tests them out. Pedals are fine, plus a little bit of adventure for his workout.

I'm mortified, and also really annoyed at my shoes. This cleat is from the shoe where both screws have been replaced, and apparently that still doesn't matter. I don't have any idea if the screws are stripped, or what. I was thinking about getting more tri specific shoes anyway, and this might be the opportunity. I have to get this straightened out though because I'm supposed to bike about 30 miles on Saturday!

Anyway, yesterday I followed a good bit of the 9.0 difficulty spinerval vid, although not all of it, and then I just pedaled for the remaining time, totaling 60 minutes. Then I hopped off and put my new Mizuno sneakers on to try them out (much much better than the icky Nike+ ones) and ran for 25 minutes. I started off really slowly and then was able to increase the speed, although I still didn't quite get 2 miles in. I know I need to brick outside, but it was nice to have the treadmill be easier on my legs.

Today I repeated my lackluster 60 minutes in the pool. At least I put the time in. Tomorrow I'm going to get another pool session in before it's closed all next week, and if I have time I'll try to throw in some elliptical or treadmill work too.

Saturday I'm going to attempt 30 miles on the bike, and Sunday I'm going to get a 5 mile run in. Then Monday I think will be a rest day.

Know When To Hold 'Em, Know When To Fold 'Em

Not just good advice for poker!

This week was less than stellar for training. I got my hour-long swim in two times, which was according to plan. My run and bike though have not followed the plan. Wednesday I went to go for my run and it was very hot, I got to the park too late, and my shoe was biting into my heel so I gave up after 2 miles. Yesterday I did nothing due to the heat.

Today I put my new saddle on, which was interesting. Then I went for my long bike ride, except 2 miles into it I felt like hurling. I sat in the shade for a bit and talked to S, then I went back towards the car. I did about 8 miles total. So not what I was planning to do. I have to tinker with the saddle because it wasn't working as well as I thought it might. If it still isn't great with the next ride I'll return it and go for the butterfly seat. I went to Home Depot afterwards to get more screws. I got some longer ones to put my frame pump on the frame, and then I had to get more Philips (because I couldn't find the appropriate hex ones although I might try at Lowe's next) for my SPD shoes because I found I was missing another screw from the cleat before my ride. I don't know what's going on there, but note for all you clipless-pedal peeps - make sure you check your screws before you ride!

Tomorrow is the next day, and I think I'm going to attempt to swim and get a treadmill run in. I'll use that as an opportunity to try out the Mizuno shoes I got in exchange for the Nike Plus ones I hated.

Souped Up Training Plan

You know the good thing about having my butt thoroughly kicked on Sunday? Revs up my inner "oh yeah? well I'll show YOU!" attitude.

I was pleasantly surprised to find I was not very sore on Monday. I was traveling back to PA so no workout time.

Tuesday I went to the pool and did a full 60 minutes in the pool. I really need to shop for actual groceries, but since I had no breakfast foods I resorted to a ProMax Nutty Butter Crisp bar about 2 hours before I got in the water. I was really exhausted afterwards, which I expected since I've only done 30 minutes before. I got a chocolate milk for recovery and also got a healthy salad (romaine lettuce, sunflower seeds, black olives, carrots, plum tomatoes, diced egg, and grilled chicken strips with a little bit of ranch dressing). I was dying for snacky foods, but I managed to resist.

Today I got up early and went out for a 5-mile run. I tried to push myself a little more so I did not set my interval timer on my Timex Ironman watch, but instead ran for 8.5 minutes then .5 minute walk, which I repeated until the last mile when I opted not to take the walk break. I was really hoping to complete my run with 12 minute miles, but I ended up being 12:40 minute mile average, ending at 62 minutes. I am glad I could push myself, but frustrated that I couldn't quite get where I wanted to be. I consumed an Acclerade Fruit Punch drink. I really wish they wouldn't add food coloring to sports stuff. It was ok. I just had some mango and will repeat the salad I had yesterday. Yum.

I am going to repeat the 1 hour in the pool practice tomorrow, and do another 5 mile run on Friday.

My First Brick Workout

I haven't been on my bike since before Thanksgiving, so I was way overdue for a bike ride. Thanks to Global Warming, it was a balmy 50+ degrees out. With the weather so mild I ended up in my regular bike shorts and my new Super Grover short sleeved jersey instead of worrying about my awkwardly padded long bike tights.

I am a slow "athlete". I sometimes get discouraged as cyclist after cyclist passes me and quickly is out of sight. I have a hybrid bike, with pretty fat tires, and it's just not speedy. Even so, I managed to pedal almost the entire 10 miles, ending up with about 5 minute/mile. Felt pretty good as I got off the bike at my car.

I don't know yet how long one should plan for a transition time, but I managed to put my bike back on my car rack, lock it in, take my helmet off, and add the fuel belt I got for Christmas (thanks sis!) under 2 minutes. Which I thought was pretty good.

And then came the run. WHY do people do this? The first mile of my 3 mile run was extremely hard. My legs just did not feel like they belonged to me, and instead I had some weird rubber stilt type appendages in their place. I got a new watch so that I could plan out my run/walk intervals, but since this was the first time I used it apparently I didn't push the start properly to have it count down! I don't know how long I was oddly jogging before I decided I did something wrong, but I did get it to count down properly after a bit. I think I averaged about 13 minutes per mile, which is a bit slower than what I can sometimes do, but my first time running post bike.

All in all I am pleased with my first brick workout. Tomorrow -- first time in the pool!