I have decided to retire Tri Folk and create a blog dedicated to Wheelchair sports. You can now find me at
Monday, December 28, 2015
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Indoor training.... Cause it's cold outside
I received my new tires for the hand-cycle Friday. Yesterday was planned rest day, so it was a time to put the new tires on. The task was easy...
Today I was hoping to get out for a ride, but there is till ice and snow on the sidewalks out front, and presumably on some of the side streets I use, so I will ride on the trainer today. I would probably enjoy the outdoors, but I don't like stupid risks. I fear not being able to control the hand-cycle, or dealing with drivers who can't control their vehicles. There is also the issue of salt. There will be rain the next two days, and warmer weather through the week. I should have chances for outdoor rides on clean roads.
Today I will watch a movie and spin. This should be the norm at this time of the year. This year I am spoiled.
Today I was hoping to get out for a ride, but there is till ice and snow on the sidewalks out front, and presumably on some of the side streets I use, so I will ride on the trainer today. I would probably enjoy the outdoors, but I don't like stupid risks. I fear not being able to control the hand-cycle, or dealing with drivers who can't control their vehicles. There is also the issue of salt. There will be rain the next two days, and warmer weather through the week. I should have chances for outdoor rides on clean roads.
Today I will watch a movie and spin. This should be the norm at this time of the year. This year I am spoiled.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Something new to my routine
I thought I should try something new today. I am hoping to make it a regular practice.
Back when I was an able bodied athlete, I would often ride my bike to work. It was a 6.1 mile trip downtown. It was one heck of a way to wake up in the morning as I would roll out of the heights, down the hill and through the heavy traffic. Once I had a nasty crash during a rain storm while the morning was still dark, but I mostly enjoyed the quick workout prior to working. I thought I should try to replicate that.
Yesterday I grew concerned that I am not getting enough time on the hand-cycle in. I am swimming great, improving rapidly on the racing chair, and seem to be adapting to a lifting routine for the winter. One area though that isn't seeing enough work is the bike. Ironically this is where I need the most work. My race in the spring is a marathon on the hand-cycle. I am hoping to finish in under 2 hours.This would be a huge improvement. I have reason to believe that I am capable of this because I will be coming into the race in much better shape and much lighter. But I also know that if I am to improve on the hand-cycle, I will need to ride the hand-cycle. So this morning I woke up, brushed my teeth, put the bike on the trainer and did a 30 minute spin prior to coffee. It felt good. I will do this again tomorrow, though I am hopeful my new tires arrive and that I can head out for a long ride too.
Back when I was an able bodied athlete, I would often ride my bike to work. It was a 6.1 mile trip downtown. It was one heck of a way to wake up in the morning as I would roll out of the heights, down the hill and through the heavy traffic. Once I had a nasty crash during a rain storm while the morning was still dark, but I mostly enjoyed the quick workout prior to working. I thought I should try to replicate that.
Yesterday I grew concerned that I am not getting enough time on the hand-cycle in. I am swimming great, improving rapidly on the racing chair, and seem to be adapting to a lifting routine for the winter. One area though that isn't seeing enough work is the bike. Ironically this is where I need the most work. My race in the spring is a marathon on the hand-cycle. I am hoping to finish in under 2 hours.This would be a huge improvement. I have reason to believe that I am capable of this because I will be coming into the race in much better shape and much lighter. But I also know that if I am to improve on the hand-cycle, I will need to ride the hand-cycle. So this morning I woke up, brushed my teeth, put the bike on the trainer and did a 30 minute spin prior to coffee. It felt good. I will do this again tomorrow, though I am hopeful my new tires arrive and that I can head out for a long ride too.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Getting warmed up
It is December in Cleveland, and I haven't missed any out door workouts this month. Today the temperature was in the 60s. I wore shorts and a t shirt during a 15.3 mile push in the racing chair. I finished in 2:18. I followed a common route I use for the hand-cycle. It is a long climb, followed by a quick return. It is amazing to me to have this kind of opportunity to keep working out in the chair at this time of year. I figured without an indoor trainer, I would be hanging it up for a while. That hasn't been the case though.
I do look forward to getting at least one more long hand-cycle ride in this year. I am currently waiting for the new tires before I can ride outdoors. The tires should arrive soon. Tomorrow is a rain day, so I will be at the pool and lifting. maybe Tuesday tires arrive. If not, I have another chance to push the chair. I honestly like that the most. It is running as far as I am concerned.
I do look forward to getting at least one more long hand-cycle ride in this year. I am currently waiting for the new tires before I can ride outdoors. The tires should arrive soon. Tomorrow is a rain day, so I will be at the pool and lifting. maybe Tuesday tires arrive. If not, I have another chance to push the chair. I honestly like that the most. It is running as far as I am concerned.
Wednesday, December 09, 2015
Blow out.
With the extended autumn like weather, it has been easy for me to continue training outdoors through early December. The downside, is that my gear has been worn down from all the use. Specifically tires. Yesterday I went out for a ride on the hand-cycle knowing that my back tires were looking bad. I risked it anyhow and got a productive session in. My last two miles are downhill and mostly junk mileage. During the biggest downhill section I was speeding down at 24 mph when "BOOM Hisssssssssssss", my rear right tire blew. I limped/rolled a half mile home on the flat.
Blowouts on the hand-cycle are dramatic due to the fact that my head is placed so close to the tires. I was not hurt though. Today I placed an order for new tires. I went with the cheap ones. They are for training and are fairly dependable.
Today is also an amazing weather day. I want to head off on the racing chair, but I may not have the time. I also might swim later. I did two workouts (Handcycle and strength training) yesterday. A swim might be the best fit for me, but I feel ambitious with the sun shining.
Blowouts on the hand-cycle are dramatic due to the fact that my head is placed so close to the tires. I was not hurt though. Today I placed an order for new tires. I went with the cheap ones. They are for training and are fairly dependable.
Today is also an amazing weather day. I want to head off on the racing chair, but I may not have the time. I also might swim later. I did two workouts (Handcycle and strength training) yesterday. A swim might be the best fit for me, but I feel ambitious with the sun shining.
Friday, December 04, 2015
Recovery day
Today was designated a recovery day. I contemplated going to the pool due to a weekend closing due to swim meets, but my should had a little pain, and I figured it would be best to take the day off. I also took last Friday off, so it was time.
We are into December, and I have continued training hard. I dread the long part of winter, as it will restrict my outdoor training. As snow becomes a bigger issue, I may struggle to get to the pool as well. Hopefully it will be a mild winter.
I also took my self tho lunch today. I had Kimchi fried rice. It was tasty.
We are into December, and I have continued training hard. I dread the long part of winter, as it will restrict my outdoor training. As snow becomes a bigger issue, I may struggle to get to the pool as well. Hopefully it will be a mild winter.
I also took my self tho lunch today. I had Kimchi fried rice. It was tasty.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Productive November
It is 11:11am in the 11th hour of the 11th month.
Here in Cleveland this is an unpredictable time. The weather can be summer like or cold and wintry. This past week included so many ups and downs. I biked indoors, swam, did some strength training, and was able to get outdoors for a couple of rides on the Chair and hand-cycle. I also used a crummy Friday for a rest day. The days are a bit shorter as well, leaving me with tighter windows to get outdoor sessions in. None the less, I was able to do a lot of road work this month including a cold half marathon last Sunday.
This is a time for building a solid base for future training and racing. With the winter coming my thought is to get all of the work in that I can before winter shuts me down. I do have a good plan for winter that will include a lot of pool work, strength training, and hours on the trainer using the hand-cycle. The racing chair will be all but put on ice during the deep winter. I have no plans to go into full hibernation, but I am aware that it will become tougher to get the kind of workouts that I will need to continue building the endurance needed for the upcoming season.
I am hoping for a short less snowy and cold early spring and late winter. These past few years have limited me as I prepped for the marathon. Though I was also not as committed as I could have been.
My spring tours have also landed at times when I could have been training. This coming spring, I plan a trip to KC for Folk Alliance international. That will take me out for 6 days. I also have one show planned in Ann Arbor. I will likely plan a Chicago visit that week as well.
The main plan is to continue my hunger and to do everything I can to get in workouts no matter where I go. With the tour schedule I should be able to count on regular long rides on the hand-cycle. I am planning to increase my 30 mile rides to 40+. I also want to add intentional speed workouts. I have yet to figure out how to make this work well for me. I need long flat sections. I have a couple of areas that might come close....
Anyhow, I am glad to be able to get so much in now. I have plateaued a bit with weight loss. Not sure why, But it isn't for a lack of training. I think this past holiday weekend I was able to enjoy a bit of food while not enjoying too much.
Today should be nice enough for a good ride.
Here in Cleveland this is an unpredictable time. The weather can be summer like or cold and wintry. This past week included so many ups and downs. I biked indoors, swam, did some strength training, and was able to get outdoors for a couple of rides on the Chair and hand-cycle. I also used a crummy Friday for a rest day. The days are a bit shorter as well, leaving me with tighter windows to get outdoor sessions in. None the less, I was able to do a lot of road work this month including a cold half marathon last Sunday.
This is a time for building a solid base for future training and racing. With the winter coming my thought is to get all of the work in that I can before winter shuts me down. I do have a good plan for winter that will include a lot of pool work, strength training, and hours on the trainer using the hand-cycle. The racing chair will be all but put on ice during the deep winter. I have no plans to go into full hibernation, but I am aware that it will become tougher to get the kind of workouts that I will need to continue building the endurance needed for the upcoming season.
I am hoping for a short less snowy and cold early spring and late winter. These past few years have limited me as I prepped for the marathon. Though I was also not as committed as I could have been.
My spring tours have also landed at times when I could have been training. This coming spring, I plan a trip to KC for Folk Alliance international. That will take me out for 6 days. I also have one show planned in Ann Arbor. I will likely plan a Chicago visit that week as well.
The main plan is to continue my hunger and to do everything I can to get in workouts no matter where I go. With the tour schedule I should be able to count on regular long rides on the hand-cycle. I am planning to increase my 30 mile rides to 40+. I also want to add intentional speed workouts. I have yet to figure out how to make this work well for me. I need long flat sections. I have a couple of areas that might come close....
Anyhow, I am glad to be able to get so much in now. I have plateaued a bit with weight loss. Not sure why, But it isn't for a lack of training. I think this past holiday weekend I was able to enjoy a bit of food while not enjoying too much.
Today should be nice enough for a good ride.
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