We should live, until we die...

Yes, I'm training again.  Yes, I'll soon be racing again.  But for now, a handful of ramblings out of the blue...

I love riding out to the middle of nowhere on my mountain bike.  Alone in the quiet with your thoughts.  Turning your sweat to mud...there's nothing like it.  But I realized today that I like mountain biking on urban/suburban trails almost as much.  Nothing like the not-so-distant hum of cars in the morning rush hour to help you realize how glad you are NOT to be among them.  I can also appreciate the post-ride commute.  On mornings like today, the lack of Tucson freeways/endless stoplights allows plenty of time to pick cactus spines out of your shins on the way into the office.

Early morning mountain biking can be dangerous.  Little sleep and stepping into clip-in pedals before you're fully awake.  It can lead to things like falling...before you get out of the gravel parking lot.  But the good thing is that "typical" mountain bikers are not early risers.  So, if you happen to fall, you aren't likely to be seen.  Not that this would happen to me ever.  Not that it happened this morning.

I have started training without music.  It used to be that I always brought the ipod on solo rides and runs.  After four months without any music, I have learned to enjoy the silence again.  Wilderness runs are all about the wilderness anyway, right?  What good is it if you can't hear the coyotes, quail, and other random desert creatures?  On harder workouts, the silence forces me to focus on the pace and effort.  I figure if I can hold strong through the silence, it will only make me a stronger racer.

When we bought my wedding ring, I thought that the ring was just a bit too big.  The saleswoman said something to the tune of, "don't worry, when you have kids, you'll grow into it."  Despite my annoyance, I bought the ring anyway.  I am down probably ~20 pounds since that day, and my ring always tries to slide off.  I refuse to get it re-sized--it's a constant reminder that I'm taking care of myself.  I have told myself for many years that I would be fine being the fat middle-aged father or the bald middle-aged father.  Considering that I could probably count the number of haircuts left in my lifetime on my fingers, I'd better keep getting in shape!

All for now.  Cheers!

get back on that horse and ride

Bike fitting can be a frustrating experience. Bike shops provide a range of initial fittings when you purchase a bike—some more skilled than others, and different shops rely on varying fitting equipment sophistication. Then, after you spend some time on your bike, you wonder if you need adjustments. “If I move forward/back, up/down, and lower my bars I can discover more watts, get ‘more aero,’ or just finally get comfortable?”

At this point, I have had the range of fit experiences. With my first road bike, I put my fit in the hands of someone that I did not trust (of course I had no idea what was “typical” at that point). A plumb bob and two TV antenna-looking things, some sweat, minor adjustments, and I was on the road. And, I rode. I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t know why a fit was actually necessary. I just rode.

Replaced my seatpost, added some aerobars, and did what I “thought” was best based on my experience (none). Then, a year later, I added my tri bike to the arsenal. A more experienced fitter at the shop, and I felt relatively comfortable. After a solid time trial, I felt good! Then I made changes—lowered my front end, replaced my saddle, and just rode. Another time trial six months later, and I was slower! Even though my fitness was better! Two months before collegiate nationals, and I was panicked. Time for a “real” fit. So, I finally spent some money for a professional fit. My overall experience was good. Lots of adjustments based on visual observations of my pedal stroke (and a plumb bob and angle-measuring antenna contraption again), and I felt comfortable on my bike again. I did not have any visual feedback, but assurance from my fitter that I was good to go. My time trial speed returned, and I was again confident. For over two years I kept this fit on both my road and tri bikes, and I spent a LOT of time in the saddle. More than 30 races, and 700+ hours of riding. A lot changed over that time. IT band syndrome. I threw out my back at work. After training for Ironman, I just wasn’t comfortable on my bike anymore. I watched my knees when I rode, and had a huge wiggle at the top of my pedal stroke. Time for a change.

I had done some reading on Retul bike fitting, which captured my interest—a computer tracking joint movements; no plumb bob or antenna-outfitted protractor. Instant, visual results. No, it is not cheap. But for the sake of my knees, back, and race results, it was finally time to go for it. I discussed fitting with my long-time coach and recently-certified retul-er, Brian Grasky, and we decided that it was time to go for it.

The fitting started with some background information. Flexibility tests, discussion of issues I had. This included my minor aches and pains as well as my scoliosis (one of the not-so-great genetic gifts I received). Then, time to get going. Onto the tri bike, and fitted with the Retul goodies. Velcro dots at each joint.

I started riding, and Brian slowly increased resistance on the trainer. The software tracks movement of each joint and automatically calculates angles. Pivot 180 degrees on the rotating platform, and do it on the other side. Then, 30 seconds later, Brian and I are looking at the results on the computer. Not only angles, but 3D knee tracking. Seat fore-aft adjustments. Seat height adjustments. Aerobar width. Do it again, and then look at the results again. Height is barely off (talking a couple millimeters), which was apparently unacceptable J Adjust, and more pedaling. Height is good. Now, cleat rotation—something none of my other fitters had thought of. Right foot pigeon-toed. Left foot splayed out. Ride again, and see the results. Seat post rotation (what?!). I was able to see my before-after knee tracking and the drastic improvements on the spot. More minor adjustments, optimizing saddle height for leg-length differences (and a former ankle injury that Brian detected and we discussed), and I was good to go!

Now, it is one thing to have faith in your fitter. It is another to have faith in your fitter AND be able to see your results right away, and actually have the data explained to you. I am a data nerd, so I appreciate that :) Good stuff.

Switched to the road bike, and did it all again. As a final step, Brian digitized all of the contact points on both bikes using the Retul remote (Zinn). The software creates (and stores) all of the fit coordinates. I left the Grasky Endurance Performance Center feeling confident in my fit, and ready to ride.

Months have passed, and I had a little hiatus due to my nerve issues following a DNF at Barn Burner—on my mountain bike. But now, I’m back at it. I had some accidental saddle movements, but an email later, Brian sent my fit coordinates and I was able to get it right. I still have some back issues that I am working out with my chiropractor (and I need to up my concentration on core work). BUT the big change is in the smoothness of my pedal stroke. No hesitation at the top of my cycle, and I just feel the change in power. I have not had any knee issues yet, so I am keeping the fingers crossed.

For now, I am working on getting my fitness back. This means a lot of riding time, and I am enjoying the quality time on both bikes with my new fits. Very soon, I will be racing again. And then, the proof will be in my results. We shall see!

After four and a half years of training and racing, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot be trusted to fit myself. Tinkering left me with slower times, aches and pains, and general frustration. After finally taking the leap to Retul fitting, I would recommend it to anyone that wants to make sure their training translates to faster times, and that they don’t injure themselves in the process. No, it is not the cheapest way to go. But being able to instantly see, not just feel, the results was worth it for me! I do have one regret, though—I should have gotten Retul’d on my mountain bike. Probably would have prevented my DNF at Barn Burner…

If you’re interested in Retul, check out the Grasky Endurance page for more info!