Bad Ticker

Fortunately, I feel confident in saying it is not MY ticker but rather my HR monitor.

The new battery has seemed to do the trick. Last night I did a fast 13 in order to get some miles in before Cheers & Gears. It needed to be short because I have a ton to get ready before I depart. I decided to push it, pretending to be the breakaway in The Giro. I upped my average 1.4 MPH over my last few rides and stayed in zone 2 & 3 during the hardest efforts. The HR monitor maxed at 195 but I never saw that and think it might have been interference. Most of the time it was at 147 - 150 bpm and I was quite comfortable.

I feel much better, especially since my doc never called back. Guess he and the jeweler are out to get me:)

Spin On

Huff & Puff

I think I feel a little wind coming back into the sails.

Last night was about trip details and preparation. It started early when I took the Cateye MRC HR10 in to the local jeweler for a new battery. He showed me that the battery was still full power and "in the green" so no need to change it. This is the second time he has told me this, the second time I have listened and the upmteenth time I have read the manual saying they should last about a year -- which has passed. Fiddling with the buttons to reset the watch I hit a button -- low and behold a drained battery icon appeared! So I took matters into my own hands, scrounged Walgreen's for a small enough repair screwdriver, changed the battery and reset the data. Then I sat in the yard an played ball with "The Girls" and between some breathing techniques (and a chardonnay) I got my resting rate below 50 bpm -- that is 20+ less than Monday. Tonight I hope to test my bad battery theory on the road.

All that said, if I can see the doc, I probably will, just for a little peace of mind.

I am getting stoked for Cheers & Gears again!

Spin On

In Search of Mojo

Monday was a good Memorial Day. Didn't eat to well, but what the hell, it was a holiday, right?

Did a neighborhood cruise on the 6K with Nifi, finished up some chores and hung out. My HR is still baffling me and with Cheers & Gears coming up, I'd like some resolution before the ride. Over all I don't feel like I have a lot of wind in my sails which concerns me since I have not really hit stride to train for the MM in August.

Maybe Spengahili can kick my a** and attitude a little and get me refocused.

Spin On

Bill Slowski

Me

The last few rides have seen me declining in average speed or struggling to keep up an average speed that seems typical for me.

I did a quick 12 after work Friday but started to feel funky, like a big pit in my stomach and hungry. The smell of folks getting their grill on for the weekend did not help. So I finished up and bagged it for some food and ale. I had a HR spike to about 211 but I get that from interference occasionally. But combined with the funk seemed odd.

Saturday was spin class. I got there and warmed up. My resting HR seemed a little high but not concerning. When class started it jumped to 190 immediately. I spent over a third of the class over 200 and spiked to 240 at one point plus maintained a 225+ for a while. For my age it should be 175 max. I allow 185 for fitness level. Now I was getting a little concerned. I kept wearing the HR monitor at home for a while and it mellowed out but still on the resting high side.

Made a call to Dr. Tree and he said that was not normal, a bit concerning and to contact my GP and discuss a Halter Monitor via a cardiologist. Basically it is a recording device that tracks every beat and what part of the heart is dictating the BPM. Great, me and Dick Cheney. At least I have not accidentally shot anyone....yet.

I had hoped to do 60 Sunday with a great Monday off for sleep and recovery but opted to do 25 instead to get more rest in. HR still spent more time above 200 than I felt comfortable with and maxed at 235. Plus it was windy and that kicked my average speed in the junk. Frig.

I re-read an article on climbing and they suggested Lance's method of high cadence. I kept shifting down to keep cadence at 80+ and while it was initially slower, I ended much stronger. The trick is to have a good rounded pedal stroke, not box the rotation.

Medical issues aside I picked up another Specialized saddle to try. I think it just might work! I need to make a few adjustments but it has the slot I like and more padding, plus it is the right width. My next distance will be Gears & Cheers 40 with some climbing. We'll see if it works or it goes on eBay:)

Tried the Berry Zym with caffeine. Tastes good but definitely stronger than the lemon-lime which I double in 24 ounces. A single berry tab was enough for 24 ounces.

Monday will be total rest, hydration and yard work.

Happy Memorial Day to all!

Spin On