Monday, April 26, 2010

Why no real numbers in your posts?


Wow.  I didn't know anyone actually read this blog.  I posted a little race report last night and by 9am the next morning, I have five e-mails wondering why I didn't put power numbers, cadence, heart rate, etc. data into my post.  Well, you ask for it your going to get my answers.  Some you may not like.  But, I hope you understand.

First off, I do not race with a power meter, heart rate monitor, or a watch for that matter.  I have found that, while racing, I tend to self-limit based on some little number displayed on my wrist.  I do run a bike computer on my bike.  It displays cadence and time.  I actually put a piece of duct tape (3M if you must know) over the speed.  RPE and cadence tells me whether to shift.  I'll be going as fast as I will go with that info.  If I had a power meter (hint: my birthday is coming up), I would like that info.  The power number would take the place of RPE, I would guess.  On the run I do use a Garmin 310XT displaying pace and pace only.  I tend to think of that like a power meter for running.

Second, and most importantly (not just to me but to you the gentile reader) my numbers are just that.  They are MY numbers.  Sure, they might mean something to you.  But, more than likely, they would not apply to you.  Sometimes I not actually sure they apply to me either.  My body is mine, your body is yours, and to compare them directly would be doing each of us a disservice.  Just a quick guess at things that could be different would be: General fitness, The point we are at in our individual training plans, What we ate today, How much training we did yesterday (or the day(s) before for that matter), and What our individual goals are/were for that workout/race/day.  I guess in the end that without a whole bunch of other data and access to past data, I really don't think that my data has any relevance to anyone but me.

Anyhow.  You want some info?  You can have some info.  I don't know why.  Do with it what you want.  Here is a link for my ride this morning.  Both what Garmin recorded and what my Cateye recorded.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/31332570

I had 2 goals.  Don't die on the road and recover from yesterday's race.  I woke up a little tired and only drank a glass of water while the doggies did their thing outside.  I rode alone on my road bike.  Nutrition was two 20oz bottles of Gatorade (1 green and 1 orange).  I drank approximately every 15 minutes (You'll see the 5.5mi markers. That is my drink reminder) and got through the entire orange (my favorite) and about half of the green.  I had a gel in case I got hungry, but did not eat it.  The only display I had while riding was the clock because I had to be back at a certain time (Julie had a dentist appointment).  I was just out there to get a little exercise, some fresh air, and a few miles in the log.  Cadence was self selected and pace was what it was.  I did have to push a little due to traffic through Waukesha and coming back into town.  I think I got out of the saddle, maybe, four times.

While typing this, I received two more e-mails wanting ride data.  Have we as athletes become accountants?

This is all you're getting.  Go out there and get your own data.  Just remember, we can talk about it together.  But, your numbers will not affect my training just like my numbers should not affect yours.  You be you and I'll be me.  We'll meet at the next race.

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