I decided I'm going to buy a Kurt Kinetic Indoor Bike Trainer. The reviews are positive and all the people I know who have them, love them. I really like the warranty, it's lifetime with no conditions. It doesn't get any better than that. Right now they're on sale for $387 and for an extra $117 I can get a speedometer that also shows wattage and cadence. Apparently when tested against a power tap there was only a 2% variance. I'm also told that when you switch into larger gears, the trainer simulates the added wind resistance and makes it tougher to pedal. It sounds like a pretty good deal for only $500.
I was going to pick it up today but decided to do weights instead. I figured I'd do the toughest thing first and I didn't want to be doing weights at night. My next ride is Saturday and so long as I pick up the trainer tomorrow, I knew I'd be okay. I spoke to the guys at the bike shop and their going to put on all the electronics and assemble the trainer while I wait.
During my weight training session I ran into Steve and he introduced me to his wife. I can see that Steve is right on the edge of getting back into triathlons and his wife is encouraging him. Steve did the Hawaiian Ironman back in 1988 and like me, quit for 20 years. I told him that he "should just pull the trigger" and sign up for the Syracuse 70.3 Ironman in September. There's nothing more motivating than FEAR.
Speaking about fear, I got an email from John Barclay. Yesterday he officially got his flight booked for Ironman China and today he did a 4 hour bike ride on his trainer. John is definitely motivated by FEAR right now. In 2008, we did Ironman Louisville together. It was John's first Ironman and my first in 17 years. I was definitely motivated by FEAR. The fear of knowing from experience how painful an Ironman could be if you don't train enough.
John on the other hand, didn't have the experience to fully understand how painful Ironmans can be and didn't train enough on the bike. I think he only did two long rides and the longest was 100 miles. Needless to say, John went into the black hole of pain and suffering halfway through the bike. To his credit, in all his hurting glory, he didn't give up and finished. It took every ounce of will and determination he had to do it.
Now with that first race behind him, the FEAR of pain has gripped him and I can already tell he wants to make sure he's bike ready. For John to do 4 hours on the trainer is a big deal. And for him to do 4 hours on a trainer during a week day is a really really big deal. That's what happens when you pull the trigger, "Fear gets your ass in gear".
I had a tough time getting out on my run tonight. I was looking forward to my run because the weather was great at 3 C. The mistake I made was to try and install some new technology before hand. Of course I ran into trouble and had to contact tech support and what I though was going to take 15 minutes took 2 hours and in the process I got mentally frustrated and the last thing I wanted to do was go for a run.
I know better. I should have ran first. I finally got "Magic Jack" installed and working but I was mentally fried. As sick as this sounds I knew if I started eating some junk food it would force me out the door. It's the way I'm wired. I couldn't eat poorly without trying to burn it off out of guilt. I started with one Wagon Wheel and ended up eating 5, plus 3 Twinkies and 1 Rice Krispie square. I ate 1100 calories of junk food in less than 15 minutes. The only upside was it got me out of my funk and easily motivated me to get out the door.
The downside was that I sabotaged my diet. Had I done my run first, I would have been much more relaxed afterwards and I wouldn't have even considered eating comfort junk food. Live and learn. Although, even with a diet that needs to be improved, I did manage to lose .8lb from last week. Plus, by installing Magic Jack I'm not going to be paying monthly phone bills anymore. This year I'll save close to $500, almost enough to pay for my new indoor bike trainer.
Weights - 45 minutes
Tempo Run - 55:15 / 11.49 km / 4:47 pace / hr monitor not working properly. Ugh.
183.8 / 22.1 BMI
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9 comments:
Really impressed by the Kurt trainer. Just had a look on the web and it looks like a kick ass piece of equipment!
Turbos sounds awesome - will consider that when mine breaks down although that's unlikely considering the minimal use it gets.
Tell John that ANYONE doing 4 hours on a turbo is a big deal - a big shout out to him. Fear and you are clearly great motivators.
Finally, you've shocked me with your comfortfoodfest!!! Shocked I am. Don't get me wrong I'm not criticing (I've done far worse than that and not gone out for a run afterwards). Keep focused dude I want to meet you in China with a confident and steely look in your eye, proudly saying "I'm ready, I've done everything I need to do to make this happen, BRING IT ON".
Think I might go have a wagon wheel now - oops no, they don't sell them in Malaysia!
FEAR is a big motivator, you are so right. Hope you love your new toy.
Nice training Bryan. You throw down junk food the same way I do.
TJ, heard only good things, just picked it up to day. It's built like a tank. I'll post how I like it on the blog.
S, no kidding. I ate more calories in 15 minutes than I burnt in 55 minutes of running. Although this morning I was down .2lbs. I'm not too worried, I'll get there even with a few slips along the way. Good thing you don't have wagon wheels, although in the US they are called moon pies. One less temptation for you.
E, thanks.
T, were all PFG deep down. We know how to pack it away. haha.
B., just so you know, on this trainer it is much harder to keep your average speed over 30 Km/h because its resistance increases with the speed. The trainer makes you feel like you are always riding uphill. What I like about my trainer is that is not noisy and it seems to be very well built. I haven't had the slightest problem with it since I bought it.
My average speed on this trainer is usually between 28 and 30 Km/h for a 1.5 hour session. Just for you to have an idea, at Toronto Island Triathlon, which is completely flat, my average speed was 38.7 Km/h for 30 Km and at Muskoka HIM my avg speed was 31.89 Km/h for 92 Km. So, riding on this trainer is much harder than riding on the rolling hills at Muskoka.
D, thanks for the info. I'm encouraged to hear that. I guess I'll have to get over the ego of going slower. But, I like the fact that it is tougher than the road. I'd rather train that way then the other way and go in over confident.
I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
Dude, thanks for this.
I felt bad going on a chineese food binge for 2 days with no exercise. After reading this post, I guess it could have been worse.
Thanks for making me feel better. :) I'm hoping that's the last wagon wheel and you're motivated to get straight.
JP, glad I made you feel better. Now you gave me the Chinese food craving, thanks. haha
B
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