Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Team Running Free


Woo Hoo!!!!
Just found out that I have been accepted to Team Running Free!

I'm so stoked! I'm really looking forward to racing in the team swag and getting involved with all the cool stuff they do!

I am so excited about being part of a team. It will be neat hanging out with all of my teammates at the races and other events. I love this sport, and now I have even more people to share it with!

Awesome!

Syd

Sunday, February 4, 2007

160km on the trainer.

.
Well, for Xmas I got the Spinervals Hardcore 100. (I asked for it) Been slowly building up to the full 51/2 hrs it takes to finish it. Wholeheartedly ignoring "Coach Troy's" threat of letting the air out of my tires if I didn't do the full time.

The idea of spending 51/2 hrs on the trainer was daunting in itself. I know physically that I'm capable of it, but mentally that is a lot of time and energy spent on going nowhere in particular.

Now I am fully aware of the benefits of spending lots of time on the trainer in the winter, and have done so in the past, but I don't think I have gotten over 3 hrs. So it was with a bit of hesitation that I put that first DVD in this morning. Today, I was going to do the whole thing.

Anyone who has done a Spinervals DVD will know that they are an excellent training tool. The workouts are well designed and well delivered by "Coach Troy". This one is no exception.

I found that it was probably the easiest 51/2 hrs I have ever spent on a bike. Granted, I have only done a few rides as long or longer ever, but this didn't seem as much of slog as I thought it would be. I definitely feel like I have done something today. The sets are interesting enough that you don't get too bored but not so tough as to hurt you too badly (until the very end anyways).

I would recommend it as a good base building tool. He spends a lot of time focusing on cadence. You do this DVD a couple of times, and you will have little problems maintaining a 90plus cadence over the century distance. I will probably also be throwing this in a couple of times right before Ironman Florida, once the temps up here drop in October. It will be good since Florida is so flat!

Give this one a try sometime. I think you will be surprised.

Syd

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Ode to my bike

Oh my bike!
You are such a beautiful bike.
I love the way you look when the sun gleams off you in transition on a summers day!

How you fit me in that special way.
That makes my bum hurt after 160k

I love the way your carbon gleams
and matte black finish looks so mean.

I love the speeds you take me too.
Like a drug I really can't afford you.

But I beg and steal that so someday
I can upgrade your wheels for race day.

Maybe I will buy some more carbon this or that.
So I feel lighter if I get fat.

But most important of all
You are my bike and despite what I might say
after a ride on a rainy day
When I am lovingly cleaning the road grim away

I love you bike