training 6-30-13

Folsom Canal, 22.5 miles. QuestXS (open cockpit). N-29.9, S-28.3.

training 6-29-13

Folsom Canal, 22.5 miles. QuestXS (open cockpit). N-29.6, S-31.1. First time over 30 in the slow configuration with a 30.35mph total average. Looks like I've resurrected myself from the dead again. Given my history, I worry, "will this be the hole I can't dig myself out of?" With no more maximum efforts until Battle Mountain it should be smooth sailing from here. I trained on a caloric deficit but with a higher percentage of carbohydrates so so far, so good with that.

training 6-27-13

Folsom Canal, 21.5 miles. Birkenstein (172.5mm cranks). 1) 257w, 2) 256w. My quads were pretty worn. Actually, all of my cycling muscles could use some rest as I never allow myself to fully recover until a race but my quads were especially easy-burning this morning. I thought I'd have to resort to a sub-200 watt recovery ride but once I got on the trail my glutes and hamstrings kicked in and I was able to put in a decent effort. I juggled my diet around a bit and managed to improve my feeling of well-being substantially. I cut back on milk consumption to a little over a half gallon and I stopped taking it straight altogether. I use it only in oatmeal (I cook the oatmeal in milk instead of water- two parts milk to one part oatmeal). The reason I switched from low-fat to whole milk is because I was hoping the extra fat would slow down the absorption of lactose. Well, between the obvious and unpleasant change in my body composition and the funky feeling that came with drinking so much milk that plan wasn't working so well. The milk and oatmeal mix works better for blood-sugar stabilization especially since I quit adding sugar to it (duh). Anyway, I feel pretty good all-around. Well, except for my extra (estrogen-induced?) jiggly-ness. I'm going to try non-fat milk in oatmeal to see if I can solve that problem. I'll make up the calorie deficit with more eggs. This might seem like an overly vain concern but I don't really care how good I look. What does concern me is limiting myself on how bad I look (aka the FOG factor).

training 6-26-13

Folsom Canal, 22.5 miles. QuestXS (open cockpit). N-30.1, S-28.1. One more session over 29mph average. I wish I knew what that actually equalled in race mode for no other reason than the psychological benefit. Even though I rationally know I should be seeing lower speeds there's still part of my brain that says "fail" or at least is wondering if some of that slowdown is due to my performance. Oh well, I'll have to wait until July 20th to find out for sure.

training 6-25-13

Folsom Canal, 22.5 miles. QuestXS (open cockpit). N-29.9, S-26.9. Still raining. What's up with that? Ever since I switched to whole milk I've noticed I'm puffier (aka fatter) despite being lighter in bodyweight than when I made the switch. Estrogen much? I'll have to conduct an experiment when my current milk supply runs out.

training 6-24-13

Folsom Canal, 21.5 miles. Birkenstein (172.5mm cranks). My Powertap didn't work so no data. I hope it's just a dead battery and not that I was riding in the rain. Anyway, I consider it a blessing in disguise. I woke up with some pretty worked feeling glutes and was considering taking the day off but the soreness eventually worked itself out. The lack of Powertap policing allowed me to take it a little easy. I'm starting to think that the combination of slow tires and the lessened aerodynamic-flywheel effect from not using the hood and foothole covers is affecting my pedal stroke to the point of adding a new kind of stress. Pedaling is more of a slog now in the velomobile. It might be a good thing but maybe it's too much of the wrong kind of stress (like riding in a storm). Anyway, I'm feeling a bit testy. Of course, checking on my velomobile this morning to see how the new tube is holding up and finding it flat didn't improve my feelings of brotherly love. I need to get that front wheel situation straightened out once and for all. I've been slacking because I've just been so tired this year and it's hard to get motivated. With the stock Kojaks and properly-fitting Schaeder-valved tubes I've had zero flats. With the Duranos and now the old Continental Top Touring 2000 I'm getting too many. Between protruding spoke nipples and overly long tubes...

training 6-23-13

Folsom Canal, 22.5 miles. QuestXS (open cockpit). 1) 28+, flatted, 2) 24.1. I'd like to shoot whoever decided to make the 20 x 1 3/8 tubes I got from Danscomp so long.