Overall things are going very well. After my new bike fit with John at W&S I noticed an immediate improvement in bike power, but it came with a price as my hamstring and glute started causing some problems. I went back in and learned that my pedaling technique is partly to blame as I am pulling up with my hamstring way too much. that was probably due to when I had my seat way to high and had to pull up. In any case, I made some adjustments to my technique, followed those up with lowering my saddle by about 2mm and my issues are almost entirely resolved. So hopefully we can put the quad and hamstring issues to bed.
Biking has been going extremely well since then. In fact my last power tests showed an almost 5% improvement from September to the middle of November. So that's pretty good news for just a better bike fit and a little hard work.
My running has been both exceptional, and really bad. Recently I've felt extremely strong running. My normal forget about it run pace used to be in the low 8's, and now I'm routinely running in the 7:30-7:50 pace without thinking about it.
My last 5k test had me at a vdot of 50 which is just under a 20min 5k and roughly 41:20 10k. Both are times I could be happy with. In an effort to improve my running I signed up for the RACC running series. The first race was earlier this month where I did much better than I anticipated by running a 40:20 good for 14th overall. Next step is to break that 40min barrier.
Unfortunately after the race my feet were pretty sore, and my left foot has some kind of problem. I can run...but not hard. Even doing something simple like a 3x2 set has my foot hurting. So for the moment there will be no intervals for a few weeks. Gotta roll with the punches.
As for swimming, I've discovered I'm a complete slacker. I have no interest in the water. I get distracted after about 300 yards with my mind wandering to all kinds of places. Focus is usually not an issue for me...so it is a little disconcerting. Fortunately when it comes to running and biking, the focus is still there. I just need to make sure my foot remains healthy.
My weight is good and slowly going down. Last time I checked i was down to 195. Pretty solid for the off season.
The crohns only gets an okay rating. I've had some issues and more recently (yesterday) had a somewhat serious issue that required some prednisone. You'd think I'm used to it after all these years, but I don't like taking days off for this kind of crap. It feels like excuse making and drives me a bit nuts. If I make excuses it will be for not swimming...not because my poor little tummy hurts.
Anyway, I've been asked to make my posts more funny. Today is not that day. But I have been doing some thinking along those lines and I hope to come up with something good in the near future.
I did manage to get myself a new bike.
Isn't she beautiful!
Lastly, USAT age group nationals will be held in Milwaukee this August. There is a lot of chatter going on and I think its going to be a bunch of locals beating up on each other. This is the attitude I'll be taking...assuming I decide to race it.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
