MSers In Training 2011

[AMFADVENTURES]

Marina, get your bike shop or somebody to loosen the cable on the brakes a bit, that will allow you to pull the handle in more before the brake engages, worth a try, works better for me.

Got 6.25 hrs in this week, 4 hrs were last Saturday (55 mi.), the rest of the week was real easy. Have a long ride scheduled for tomorrow, about 70 miles, less concerned about making it than speed and level of effort it might take to do it.

AMF

[Marinadca]

Thanks so much AMF

I picked it up on Tuesday but have only had the chance to ride it a little bit and I can already see I am going to need to make some adjustments.

My biggest concern now is that I have problems reaching and pressing the breaks. It could be my hands are too small...or perhaps its MS causing weakness in my hands or something...but I cannot seem to find a comfortable, stable hand positioning that allows me ready access to the brakes that feels quick enough and safe. They are just so tough to press in.

The plan is tomorrow to take the bike (and me) to a huge parking lot (used only during the week) that is empty with no pedestrian, bike, or car traffic and just try to get more comfortable with the bike and see if I can work on my positioning on the bike.

Its also pretty scary...but hopefully will be less so with each time I get on it.

[AMFADVENTURES]

Fyi

FYI, these two articles were so good I just had to pass them along,

For the beginner cyclist:
http://www.active.com/cycling/Articl...risid=21548215

On fundraising for chairatable events:
http://www.active.com/triathlon/Arti...risid=21548215

AMF

[AMFADVENTURES]

Teresa, congratulations on the new PR and breaking the 5:00:00 barrier, seems your training program is working and you are well on your way to a banner year. That is really cool! I have been fighting a speed barrier myself, but you’ve provided some new inspiration, thanks. Hope you managed to acquire a few good bottles too. What’s next on the agenda?

Marina, She’s a beauty! You should get many good years of service out of her. A couple of things now:

First, you’re right to be a bit apprehensive about riding her, it could take a little time to get used to the racing style handlebars and steering action, but once you do, I think you will really like them. (You’ll also be grateful for your yoga, don’t stop it.)

Second and maybe most important, make sure the bike shop gives you a good fit to the bike. Make them spend some time getting your saddle position and reach right, get them to explain to you what they are doing and why. If they recommend you trade out some of the existing parts for different ones to accommodate a better fit, you should consider doing it.

Third, don’t skimp on the bike clothes, especially the padded shorts, comfy socks and a good pair of gloves. On a long ride, comfort makes a world of difference. The first advice I got from a pro when I started seriously cycling was to buy 3 to 4 pair of the same high quality shorts. It turned out to be very good advice.

Last, if you don’t already have a good book, consider getting one. Knowing a little about training will help you prevent injury and build your confidence and enthusiasm for riding. Personally, I like Joe Friel’s training methods but there are a lot of good authors out there.

Happy riding Marina, above all, stay safe!

[Marinadca]

Wow Teresa that is fantastic!!

I finally got a new bike after much hemming and hawing about it. I went for the local bike shop when the folks didn't ignore me because my budget was under 1500. I ended up getting a pretty good deal on a new (2010 model) bike.

Its this one: http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/B...ezia&Type=bike

Did I do good?

I should be getting it on Wednesday or so... and I am terrified of it....so this should be a fun 3 months!

[Teresa26.2]

I did it! Napa Valley Marathon in 4:52:22. An 8 minute PR. It rained a lot! Totally even mile splits at 11:05 per mile. It's a good day!

I'm tired.

[AMFADVENTURES]

I finally got my 8 hours in this week. It even included 2 hours of moderately hard riding. Next week will be a rest week, maybe 4 to 5 hours at an easy pace and then I'll start adding longer rides and a high intensity ride or two each week.

Weatherman says snow is in the forcast. Bummer! Perhaps next week will be a good time to clean, lube and tune the bike and get it ready for spring.

Good luck at Napa Teresa,

AMF

[AMFADVENTURES]

Got 6.5 hours this week, 4.5 outside and 2 hours on the indoor trainer and although I won’t make my February goal of 8 hours/week, I will remain healthy and enter the next training period stronger.

I had one very difficult day early this week. It was on the trainer for an hour at a relatively low heart rate but an inordinately high level of effort. Figured out later that I was probably dehydrated. While I love these 50 – 60 degree days, it does seem to be more difficult to stay properly hydrated. Something to watch out for as it can make the going quite a bit harder than it needs to be.

Love your choice of marathons Teresa, Napa would be fantastic.

AMF

[Teresa26.2]

Sorry I've been MIA. Training has been going great. I've finished my big training. Yesterday I ran 16 miles and felt strong. Now I am tapering until the race. I have 2 weeks until Napa. I'm looking forward to it.

DH will get to do all the wine tasting. I hope to at least bring home a couple of bottles.

[AMFADVENTURES]

Magnificent weather this week. Got 7 hours on the bike, 1.5 indoors on the trainer and 5.5 outside on the trails. Right now I’m working on time in the saddle, in another month or so I’ll start building speed and strength.

Marina, I would definitely say less weight is better especially if you’ve got any hills around. You might leave your credit card at home, take your time, visit a few bike shops and just try out some different bikes. Try some high-end bikes if for no other reason than to feel the difference. Meanwhile, I’d dump the knobby tires in favor a more pavement friendly tread, maybe get a tune up, and keep riding what you have. Seems like txhollyann and Lucia both did excellent posts somewhere on here about getting a new bike, also the forums on web sites like Active.com or MapMyRide might give you some ideas.

Dave, sounds like you’re making good progress. Intuitively, it seems like taking a physically active role in post HSCT recovery has to lead to more rapid improvement. I wonder if anyone in your HSCT study is monitoring stuff like that?

AMF

[Marinadca]

Well, its finally gotten warm enough to get out of the bike. Really starting to doubt my ability to do the right, but I suppose thats to be expected the first time out.

Steve keeps mentioning that I cannot do the ride on my current bike. I am not sure. I am willing to get something nicer and new, but now I am completely confused at to what.

I have a hybrid type bike (this brand and type - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/....w/7339/44538/ ). I have some trouble with the shifting, but who knows if its me of the bike? My husband thinks that I need a different *type* of bike for the ride.

I am quite confused with all the different types and don't really know where to start. I am kind of scared of those racer looking bikes.... but I can see the point that my bike's weight and fat tires with the thick nubs might be forcing me to exert more effort than needed.

Any advice on where to begin my research?

[ActiveMSers]

Yesterday I got in 40 minutes on the exercise bike, doing 7 miles. That really hosed my legs for a couple hours, but it felt good. Managed a good clip until the last ten minutes or so, when getting to 10 mph was a challenge....

[AMFADVENTURES]

In early March of last year I performed a very rudimentary self-evaluation WRT the state of my MS. Granted it was highly subjective (unlike the detailed empirical evaluations Dave performs) but I thought that was exactly what I wanted. Besides, my training log combined with cycling computers and heart rate monitors would provide empirical data as I progressed. At the end of the cycling season, and again just now, I reviewed my earlier evaluation and the empirical data.

As anyone who followed this thread at all last year will know, everyone who participated saw remarkable improvement in the empirical data like daily/weekly miles ridden, speed and if they used a heart rate monitor, cardiovascular function.

But on review of the more subjective self-evaluation, I found the results much less dramatic. The most notable improvements were in the area of fatigue reduction and possibly non-specific cognitive function. There was moderate improvement in strength, no improvement in balance and a slight increase in lower leg spasticity. I wish I had started doing this 7 or 8 years ago when I first began cycling seriously. I think the comparisons of the subjective evaluations would be very interesting, maybe even enlightening.

I'll be performing this self-evaluation again in the very near future and I think I'll add a column to my training log to record notable subjective data.

AMF

[AMFADVENTURES]

Back in the saddle

Well, really couldn’t breathe very well until yesterday because of the crud I contracted, but between then and today I did manage 1.5 hours on the trainer. If shoveling snow counts, then maybe you could push it to about 3.5 hours for the week. Regardless, it leaves me pretty far behind on my training schedule. However, I’ve still got a lot of time and my wish for an early spring may come true. The weather girl says we’re going to be approaching the low 60’s over the next 4 or 5 days so if some of this snow melts, I hope to be outside on the bike again real soon. My goal of 8 hours/week by the end of February is looking iffy but we’ll see.

Point taken Sue, I really do need a winter sport. I did get the cross-country skis out but have yet to strap them on. It was gawd awful cold here. I will keep trying though.

Later all,

[ActiveMSers]

I managed 30 minutes on the exercise bike, at an average of 11 mph, without rest. I only used the arms a couple times to goose the heart rate (I have a Schwinn Airdyne type of bike). It was a fun 5.5-mile cruise through the scenery of my home office.

A year ago I thought the exercise bike I was riding at the gym was broken since the pedals wouldn't turn... until my wife hopped on and started zipping along. Turns out I didn't have the strength to pedal one stroke. Heck, I'll take 30 minutes!