the reason I'm not faster on the bike is ...
... cause I do not have enough gears on my bike. At least that was the theory I heard tonight at masters. Two of the crappiest cyclists I know were in total agreement. Yep, ya need at least a 53 on the big so that you can go fast on the downhills to make up for the time you lost going up. The wisdom was then confirmed by a dude that "needed" the 53 to ride his jaw dropping 5:45 at LP last year and then had "bad luck" by getting diarrhea and having to drop out.
Anyone know where I can get a deal on a 55?
I won't even get into the discussion about threshold power...
I really need to practice my silent nod.
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At timberman last year I got passed by a middle aged (55+) guy on an uphill and he had I kid you not like a 65 (and he was in it). We did the relay so all of us were sorta flying through the field but it was very humbling getting my head handed to me by this guy. I think they ended up beating us by like 25 minutes. He took almost 20 minutes off me on the bike. It was the biggest gear I have ever seen.
The worst part was he was casually chatting it up with people, while I am trying like hell to keep the pedals going. Man I hate that.
-Dave
I feel your pain guys. Try being in the 45-49 age group where you have some of the fastest guys out there not just on the bike but running as well. In our local time trial series out of 50 cyclists 8 of the top 15 are guys over 45, 2 are over 60. Maybe being a few inches shorter and more than a few pounds lighter would help, I think I have tryed everything else.
Every ounce of EN koolaid I have ever sucked down was bubbling up in the back of my throat. Alas, I practiced my silent nod...
For the short time I did masters all I heard about were 5 and 6 hour computrainer workouts in December to build a base. They were also bragging about there 4000 M straight swims on the weekends.
When they invited me to join, I said thanks but I'll stick to my 1:30 workouts on the weekends. I attempted to explain the EN methods to them and I was told that I don't count becuase I'm not normal. They claimed I was naturally talented so I don't have to work at it like they do to build a base.
That's my favorite! I have two friends doing IMLP this year with me. Both knew about the approach I was taking, and decided to go another way. I can't tell you how many times I've heard "you know, Mike, I'm getting very nervous about you. Don't you think you're doing enough?"
-At first, I tried to explain the whole process, which lead to glossed over eyes.
-Then, I explained "remember the great season I had last year? This is what I did." Still eyes glossed over.
-Finally, they just say "well, if you can do that, you must be pretty good." Never occurs to people that you get good by the training choices you make...
Mike
The "worry" is great as well. There is really nothing wrong with long training rides. I felt plenty prepared when I used to go out and ride solo for 6 hours every weekend getting ready for IM. I was bored and my ass hurt but I was plenty prepared. What I found was that when I did agree to ride with the folks who are worried that a 4 hour ride is "not enough" is that while they take 7 hours to do the ride there is really about 5 hours of time actually in the saddle. The reality is that they are not really going any longer and going a lot easier.
Don't be fooled, this while EN thing is a scam. Of course you do not have to ride longer than 5 hours when you do more work and cover more distance than others do in 7 and of course you do not have to run longer than 2.5 hours when you run really fast the whole way and end up running 20 plus miles
Only kinda kidding on the last part...shorter duration but much harder is not easier it just does not take as long.
Mike - they should only be worried that you will not save them any beer when you are waiting around for them to finish
Matt - the "its easy for you" thing is the favorite excuse of those that are unwillign to work hard. One of those same geniuses last night was telling me that he can never have a good run split as he weighs too much...cause there is nothing you can do about that...