Just another few weeks of training. Nothing overly exciting happening. I did get my watch back from Garmin. They said it was either the wheel size setting in the watch or the speed and cadence sensor is having issues. So when it was returned I checked the wheel size and that was ok. On my next ride I was watching the current speed and it was going up and down from 0 km/h to 33 km/h while I thought I was being consistent. I stopped and disabled the sensor in the watch so it would have to use GPS for speed. Sure enough my speed suddenly became what I would think was normal and stable. So until I get a new sensor I will continue to use GPS and not know my cadence.
There has been a few tough weeks of training. Lots of riding and very little running. That was until last weekend where I had to do my first run in a while. I was supposed to do 2-2.5hrs and see how I go. It wasn't really good. Legs, knees and feet hurt. I didn't make the 2hrs but I did get 21kms out so I thought that that was a good effort for the day. The next days brick session (ride and run) wasn't the most fun thing I have had to do.
This week is a rest week. I am looking forward to just stretching and easy sessions.
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Tuesday, 1 September 2015
Technology fail
The last few weeks have been a struggle in training. Its not really the distance or effort required anymore but more the motivation to get out there. Its cold, wet and lonely. I have never been a good trainee but not having someone to ride and run with just makes it hard work to get out there. Once I am underway I am ok but getting out of bed on a weekend is not the easiest. Apart from that I have had a bit of a technology fail..
So it all started a couple of weeks ago. I was intending to do a 3hr ride. I know now that's usually about a 90km ride or more depending on how I am going. So mentally I map out where I want to go. Anyway I start out and seem to be going slow. I think that maybe I am having an off day as I am only around the 25km/h average mark. I push a little harder. The average hardly moves. I think I will push to the 30km mark to get the average up. So I push a little harder. Now I know by what gear I am in and my cadence that I should be nailing it. I get to the first turn around and see 26.8km/h or something. I am baffled. I see that that distance is a little short but thats ok it will all work out in the end. I push the next 30kms back towards home. When I get close and about the 2hr mark I give up. I throw in the towel as the average has reduced to 24.8km/h. I am annoyed and tired. I don't know how I could be going so slow. Also the watch only showed 48kms for what should be about 63kms.
When I get home I let it upload the results thinking the GPS points would be cutting corners etc. Nope it looked perfect. The elevation looked funny but the track was good. Hmm ok I put that down to a bad watch day. I think nothing of it as it is working for everything else.
During the next week I got myself a Garmin virb action camera. Its actually pretty cool. All your ANT+ devices link to it and when editing it will import all that data and you can show it on screen. It also contains GPS and a few other sensors within the device.
So the next weekend comes and I think while this is some really boring video I am going to record my ride. It was supposed to be a fast 60kms and used to gauge my improvement. I didn't want false readings for this one and thought it would be good to see what both devices registered for distance etc. Off I go on my ride. Trying to go as hard as I can without packing it in at the end. The watch was once again killing me. I think the top average speed I got to was 29km/h. Unfortunately I could not look at the virb screen or play with it while riding. I know there is information on it but as it was the first time out for it I didn't know all the buttons yet. In the end I just put my head down and rode. I do like to see where I am at but this time I did not get to.
Once at home I stop both devices. Once again I look at the watch. 48km or so doing about 26km/h. Damn... :( I then look at the screen on the virb. I see a little 32km/h average on screen. Thats a little more like it I think. Inside I upload both .FIT files (the files that Garmin devices create for activities) to Garmin connect. You can see there is a big difference in the results. The virb results are more like I would expect.
So frustrated I email Garmin and search how to hard reset the device. If anyone is interested below are the instructions.
a. Hold POWER BUTTON on for 15 seconds. The device should hopefully start to turn off.
b. Press and hold UP ARROW BUTTON and DOWN ARROW BUTTON
c. Press but don’t hold the POWER BUTTON for a second or so second – device should turn on
d. Wait for 1st beep then release UP ARROW BUTTON
e. Wait for 2nd beep then release DOWN ARROW BUTTON
c. Press but don’t hold the POWER BUTTON for a second or so second – device should turn on
d. Wait for 1st beep then release UP ARROW BUTTON
e. Wait for 2nd beep then release DOWN ARROW BUTTON
Today I called Garmin after they replied to my email. They have never heard of such a thing so the watch is being sent back. I did go for a short run today with Adam and both watches had the same reading so maybe the reset fixed it you never know. Guess we will see when i get back. Time to start using the 910xt again for a while. :(
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Damn sickness
Its been a few weeks since I last added anything here. So whats happened. Well a few weeks back it all started out well. I had a few good days of training then I got sick. Some stupid cold. Lots of coughing, runny nose and something in the chest. So I took the rest of the week off training and packed myself full of drugs.
The next Saturday I was on a flight out to the Philippines to work for a week. I felt sorry for the guy next to me on the plane as I coughed and sniffled my way through the 8hr flight. I was getting better but a long way from fine. All the poor old guy wanted to do was spend a few weeks in the Philippines looking for girl and here I was maybe making him sick. Landing was a real nice change. The warmth made me feel better. I met a mate who is now living in the Philippines for a drink the night I landed. Was a real good time catching up and talking about the old days etc. It was a long day and night but heaps of fun.
Mike (coach) had given me a rest week while I was away so I had no training to do. I don't think that I would have done anything anyway as I was feeling tired. The trip itself was really good. It would have been better if I was not sick but with all that it was still great. I do like meeting the team as they do take care of me. They are a really good group of people and I enjoy the friendships that I have made. Lucky I have met them before otherwise I would have looked like the sickly Aussie kid. So annoying. I think I was finally starting to feel better the last day I was in town.
Coming back I was able to start training again. It was so hard. Not only was it cold but I seemed to still be struggling from the sickness. I just felt tired and unfit. This week has gone well though. So far I have done everything that I needed to. Still not easy but its getting better. Slowly it is also getting warmer so that will make it nicer. I am just not looking forward to the damn magpies that are going to start attacking soon. Currently there is only swimming and riding. We will start running a bit later in the program. A different approach for me but I am happy to try it.
The next Saturday I was on a flight out to the Philippines to work for a week. I felt sorry for the guy next to me on the plane as I coughed and sniffled my way through the 8hr flight. I was getting better but a long way from fine. All the poor old guy wanted to do was spend a few weeks in the Philippines looking for girl and here I was maybe making him sick. Landing was a real nice change. The warmth made me feel better. I met a mate who is now living in the Philippines for a drink the night I landed. Was a real good time catching up and talking about the old days etc. It was a long day and night but heaps of fun.
Mike (coach) had given me a rest week while I was away so I had no training to do. I don't think that I would have done anything anyway as I was feeling tired. The trip itself was really good. It would have been better if I was not sick but with all that it was still great. I do like meeting the team as they do take care of me. They are a really good group of people and I enjoy the friendships that I have made. Lucky I have met them before otherwise I would have looked like the sickly Aussie kid. So annoying. I think I was finally starting to feel better the last day I was in town.
Coming back I was able to start training again. It was so hard. Not only was it cold but I seemed to still be struggling from the sickness. I just felt tired and unfit. This week has gone well though. So far I have done everything that I needed to. Still not easy but its getting better. Slowly it is also getting warmer so that will make it nicer. I am just not looking forward to the damn magpies that are going to start attacking soon. Currently there is only swimming and riding. We will start running a bit later in the program. A different approach for me but I am happy to try it.
Tuesday, 7 July 2015
Cold winter days
Its been cold outside and its hard to get motivated. Anyway the plan is in and I have started running through it. Nothing big at the moment. Actually dropped the running back at the moment which is ok by me as I have been getting treatment for my foot issue. Coach wants to focus on the bike for a while. Swimming is still going well. Not long sessions, only around 1.5km a few times a week. I have also started to use the gym more than before. I want to get into the habit of actually going this time around. Lets see how long that lasts as the gym is not that interesting really.
As far as the foot issue goes I have been fitted with some off the shelf inserts. It seems that I roll my foot inwards on the left side and drop my left hip as I step. I think the physio was telling me I am weak as piss without actually saying it. So with the inserts and some exercises to strengthen both the hip and foot she hopes we can be good. If not we might have to look at more expensive custom inserts. But so far they are ok. I think I am getting better but as I haven't run as much who knows.
Last weekend I got to head out to the multi sport expo. It was the first year it was run. It was pretty small but I hope that they get bigger as the idea is really good. Not enough accessories people which was strange as I assumed they would be over that sort of thing. Maybe having a stand was to expensive or something. Anyway I did pick up some wireless headphones. They seem to be pretty good.
Well 10 months to go now. Fun times ahead.
As far as the foot issue goes I have been fitted with some off the shelf inserts. It seems that I roll my foot inwards on the left side and drop my left hip as I step. I think the physio was telling me I am weak as piss without actually saying it. So with the inserts and some exercises to strengthen both the hip and foot she hopes we can be good. If not we might have to look at more expensive custom inserts. But so far they are ok. I think I am getting better but as I haven't run as much who knows.
Last weekend I got to head out to the multi sport expo. It was the first year it was run. It was pretty small but I hope that they get bigger as the idea is really good. Not enough accessories people which was strange as I assumed they would be over that sort of thing. Maybe having a stand was to expensive or something. Anyway I did pick up some wireless headphones. They seem to be pretty good.
Well 10 months to go now. Fun times ahead.
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
The training plan
So the last few weeks a couple things have happened. Non training related was my first dirt bike in a long time. That wasn't too bad. I thought it would be a lot harder than it was. We spent the night in the bush camping. I woke up to ice on everything but a great looking day. Was fun getting back out there and it looks like I will be out there again this weekend.
On the training front I spent last week just keeping fit and working with the physio on my foot issue. She has decided that I should get some orthotics to help with some rolling that I do while running. I also drop my hip on the left side as I run so I will need to strengthen that up as well. Apart from all that I have been rolling, taping, stretching and exercising as she requested.
Over the weekend I dropped in to see my coach and talk about the plan. We discussed all my races coming up and my goals. With that he has created my first couple of weeks of my real plan so it has officially started again. So far so good. I also received my plan from the gym's PT. I will try to keep up the gym work a bit more this time. I just need to make it part of my schedule and it should work out. The only issue I see so right now is the 4:30am start to get to the gym while it is so cold outside. Not fun but that's ok.
I also did my first outside ride in a long time on the weekend. It was just short of 50km and it hurt more than I wanted but I got through it. The body just needs to get used to it again.
On the training front I spent last week just keeping fit and working with the physio on my foot issue. She has decided that I should get some orthotics to help with some rolling that I do while running. I also drop my hip on the left side as I run so I will need to strengthen that up as well. Apart from all that I have been rolling, taping, stretching and exercising as she requested.
Over the weekend I dropped in to see my coach and talk about the plan. We discussed all my races coming up and my goals. With that he has created my first couple of weeks of my real plan so it has officially started again. So far so good. I also received my plan from the gym's PT. I will try to keep up the gym work a bit more this time. I just need to make it part of my schedule and it should work out. The only issue I see so right now is the 4:30am start to get to the gym while it is so cold outside. Not fun but that's ok.
I also did my first outside ride in a long time on the weekend. It was just short of 50km and it hurt more than I wanted but I got through it. The body just needs to get used to it again.
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Pre training plan days
This week has been an easy week. I got to have a long weekend so that's always nice. But what else has happened. Well I went to see a physio on Friday. While she did not know what was actually going on with my foot issue we have decided to treat it like plantar fasciitis. She taped the foot up which seemed to help a bit so maybe we are on the right path. I have another appointment to see her today so we will see what is said about that. For now I am not allowed to run.
With that news I have been swimming and doing a lot of riding on the new trainer. Its not bad. Hurts like you would not believe as you don't get any real coasting time as you do on the road but I guess that's a good thing. If I keep it up I might be a stronger rider yet. It was always hard to get motivated to be on a stationary bike but so far this new trainer has help. On the IM training front I am still waiting for the plan to be done. I know it is underway as we have entered in events we wish to do etc. I am still deciding on a couple yet. Guess it all depends on money and time. Apart from that I have had a couple of weeks with a personal trainer thanks to my gym. Its just the free program that you get when you join. The guy seems good. First week was a fitness and mechanics type of session. Nothing to hard but annoying enough. This week he showed me a bunch of things that would be in the plan he is making. It really smashed me. I might be able to swim, bike and run ok but I just can't lift. I would say I lift like a girl but I am sure there are a lot of girls that would lift better than me. Guess I will try to keep up with that this year also and hope that it helps.
One cool thing that happened. Well I think its cool as I didn't know what to do with all my stuff otherwise was I got all my IM NZ stuff framed. Well its back now and I think it worked out pretty sweet.
So that's my NZ one. Now I need to do Port Mac next year and get another one made up.
With that news I have been swimming and doing a lot of riding on the new trainer. Its not bad. Hurts like you would not believe as you don't get any real coasting time as you do on the road but I guess that's a good thing. If I keep it up I might be a stronger rider yet. It was always hard to get motivated to be on a stationary bike but so far this new trainer has help. On the IM training front I am still waiting for the plan to be done. I know it is underway as we have entered in events we wish to do etc. I am still deciding on a couple yet. Guess it all depends on money and time. Apart from that I have had a couple of weeks with a personal trainer thanks to my gym. Its just the free program that you get when you join. The guy seems good. First week was a fitness and mechanics type of session. Nothing to hard but annoying enough. This week he showed me a bunch of things that would be in the plan he is making. It really smashed me. I might be able to swim, bike and run ok but I just can't lift. I would say I lift like a girl but I am sure there are a lot of girls that would lift better than me. Guess I will try to keep up with that this year also and hope that it helps.
One cool thing that happened. Well I think its cool as I didn't know what to do with all my stuff otherwise was I got all my IM NZ stuff framed. Well its back now and I think it worked out pretty sweet.
So that's my NZ one. Now I need to do Port Mac next year and get another one made up.
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
1st week of winter
So its been a slow week. Just keeping fit as much as I can. I haven't done a lot of stuff. A swim and run is mostly what I have done. Although I have a new toy. I found a Wahoo Kickr on ebay.
Sure its kind of hard to see in my bad image but its a nice trainer. So this weekend I picked it up and started playing around with software. Firstly it was created for apple in mind. So being an android person there are not as many apps available. But I believe recently they changed some things that allowed more people to write applications on a wide range of platforms which means that while apple has that market share there are more applications coming to compete.
After needing to use the Wahoo app to set it up I then started playing with whatever people suggested. Using an old ANT+ dongle I had from my old Garmin watch I could then connect an old PC to the kickr and have it control the resistance. It makes for a tough ride. Unfortunately I could only find one program that would allow me to trial the video training feature. That was kind of fun. I did mess up and selected riding around San Fran. Those streets are tough so it makes it hard to look at the shops go by remembering where you have been when your struggling up the hills. Near the top I remember thinking how much easier it was going up that hill on the tram. haha
Well I believe that I have decided on the application to use. BKool make what seems to be a nice product. You can easily import gpx tracks from your previous rides and it will make a virtual 3d track from it. Or if you are really keen you can use video and GPS to create a video track. I have already uploaded a couple of gpx files of old rides to see how it works and although I could only see the map and elevation not the 3d world it did make riding a trainer more interesting. So I will probably pay for that subscription so I can use the 3d side of things.
On the coach side of things I have found one. It actually wasn't the guy I was thinking of last week. I had a friend Mike who raced NZ with me. Well since he has had to give up running because of knee issues he said if I am looking for a coach then he is happy to do it. He used to coach me when I first started. He didn't coach me for the NZ IM as he was competing and didn't have time. So I know what he is like and it should work out well.
So now I just wait for the first plan to hit my Dropbox and we will be off.
After needing to use the Wahoo app to set it up I then started playing with whatever people suggested. Using an old ANT+ dongle I had from my old Garmin watch I could then connect an old PC to the kickr and have it control the resistance. It makes for a tough ride. Unfortunately I could only find one program that would allow me to trial the video training feature. That was kind of fun. I did mess up and selected riding around San Fran. Those streets are tough so it makes it hard to look at the shops go by remembering where you have been when your struggling up the hills. Near the top I remember thinking how much easier it was going up that hill on the tram. haha
Well I believe that I have decided on the application to use. BKool make what seems to be a nice product. You can easily import gpx tracks from your previous rides and it will make a virtual 3d track from it. Or if you are really keen you can use video and GPS to create a video track. I have already uploaded a couple of gpx files of old rides to see how it works and although I could only see the map and elevation not the 3d world it did make riding a trainer more interesting. So I will probably pay for that subscription so I can use the 3d side of things.
On the coach side of things I have found one. It actually wasn't the guy I was thinking of last week. I had a friend Mike who raced NZ with me. Well since he has had to give up running because of knee issues he said if I am looking for a coach then he is happy to do it. He used to coach me when I first started. He didn't coach me for the NZ IM as he was competing and didn't have time. So I know what he is like and it should work out well.
So now I just wait for the first plan to hit my Dropbox and we will be off.
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