Styx

Hello NF! I've seen some threads for Triathletes, spartans, marathoners, and a lot more. But are there any duathletes around? I hope to meet you guys!

I'm quite new to the sport so it would be nice to see fellow newbies as well. And of course it would be nice to learn from veteran racers and hear some race reports.

I'm also planning on joining a Spartan Race! It will be my first. How do you guys train for these races?

I really hope that you will be able to continue drinking enough amount of water - I guess despite having a hard time with the fast food, at least you were able to drink more water - which is a really great thing for your overall health. It's the small steps that count most!  

I'm pretty sure you'll be able to figure out a more effective way to cut down on fast food, one way or another. But keep on getting that water!

It's really nice to see you able to meet the running goals and your other fitness goals - one which I've been struggling with. 

Great job on the challenge, will certainly look forward to your next one!

On 5/31/2016 at 1:01 PM, SaltyDragon said:

Yep, hate it when that happens. In runkeeper, I can sometimes go in and edit bad points off the map and fix these problems – maybe Strava does this too. I've actually downloaded Strava, but haven't had the opportunity to try it yet. Can you import activities from, say, a garmin or something?

 

Glad to hear you've had some good days in there. And congratulations to your girlfriend on her graduation!

Yes, you can upload garmin activities.

On 5/31/2016 at 9:55 AM, Sloth the Slow and Steady said:

Aaargh. Strava problems. It's like that ride never really happened.

It really sucks, especially when I tried real hard to get a segment PR lol

I'm sorry I was not able to update for so long! Me and my family had a mountaineering/hiking/caving trip from June 2 to June 6. It was hella fun and but there was no internet connection in the mountains so I wasn't able to post. Because of this, I was also unable to take another attempt at my challenges, but it was worth it.

Anyway, here is a summary of my challenge:

1. Ride at least 3 times a week.

- the habit is set, and I'm ready for the grind for the next challenges!

2. Climb Cardiac Hill at least 4 times: A

- It was a success! I was hoping to get 5 but I'm happy with what I got. I want to give myself an A for this. Next challenge, I'm going for 6.

3. Do a Reverse Palace ride.

- Another successful challenge. I don't think it's possible for me to do climb this consecutively twice next challenge, so I'll try to achieve a better time.

3. Perform my bodyweight workout

- Well, I can't be successful in all aspects. :/ well this one sucked haha I think Iwas only able to get in 4 workouts throughout the challenge out of 8. I'm giving myself an F, and try harder next challenge.

THANK YOU scouts for having me. Especially to the people who followed my journey. I have planned to do my next challenge with the rangers as I'll have more emphasis to strength training. And from there, I'll see where my journey will go...

Again, thank you!

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On 5/26/2016 at 10:35 PM, Sloth the Slow and Steady said:

It has always taken me a couple of days to recover from a hard ride. I don't know if this is accurate or not, but for me it feels like lactic acid builds up and needs to be worked out. A couple of days of easy riding seems to work the better than complete rest. And foam rolling.

Yeah, had a rest and felt better on the second ride. Though I'm struggling to REALLY get a recovery ride. lol I just can't gauge how little work I should be doing to be considered a recovery ride.

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May 27, 2016. It was my girlfriend's graduation day, she has finished her dentistry course, and now preparing for her licensure exam.  I was not able to get in any work, but it was a great day.

May 28, 2016. I was also unable to put in work as I took care of some stuff as well as I went out with my family. Still a good day.

May 29, 2016. Got in a 21.4km tempo ride. All was well.

BUT it annoyed me as hell because I worked real hard on a strava segment only to find out after ride that my gps got messed up, probably because it was about to rain and the coverage was messed up. Oh well.

CHallenge about to end!!!!

On 5/26/2016 at 5:20 AM, RandMart said:

 

That's not a Century ... that's a METRIC Century

 oh yeah, forgot that USA uses imperial units. lol

Better add some water, since you've had alcohol lol. I've been there! 

Hi! Have you tried the Wendler 5/3/1 program? I've found that it's easy to incorporate the program to other goals. 

Anyway, looks like you're doing well!

On 5/25/2016 at 11:25 AM, SaltyDragon said:

I get a little single-minded, too, when it comes to doing workouts other than what I'm really focused on – in my case, usually running. I find that designating specific days (mon, thu, sat) helps, though I frequently have to shuffle. These NF challenges are helping me stay accountable, too. The gym sounds like a good idea. I hope to be reading about how it went, soon!

Yeah, I'm planning to go to a gym on Monday. I must find a suitable one first.

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May 25, 2016. No work done today, but today was tiring. I had to go to different centers to be cleared for my college graduation. I'm almost done!

May 26, 2016. Was supposed to ride and build tempo in the morning but was too tired. Extended my sleep and decided to ride in the afternoon instead. 24km @ 21.1km/h avg speed.  I've decided to just give myself rest today and went easy, just rode around, went to places I've never biked before. 

BUT.

I noticed that lately I'm feeling a bit more tired despite getting a rest day. I was not sure if it's because of the heat, humidity or something else, but today my legs were burning even after a warm-up. Could it be fatigue? Or just external factors? Anyway, I decided to take a rest tomorrow and see if it improves on Saturday. Just to refresh my legs again.

On 5/20/2016 at 9:25 AM, Calanthia Cobbin said:

 

You may have said this already, but is Strava primarily for biking or is it good for running as well?

It has features for running as well

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May 18, 2016 - Recreational/recovery ride with a friend. Climbed a hill then went on a trail with my Mountain Bike. It was good fun. 34.8km @ 16km/h. 

May 19 - 21 2016 - Has been a very busy 3 days. I went to school to fix my requirements for graduation. I was supposed to do some weight training, but was not able to. :/ 

May 22, 2016 - Had a pretty good and long ride. I was able to get in 65km @ 22.3km/h. Quite slow but it was a rolling terrain, and I'm quite happy with it. 

May 23, 2016 - Rest day. I was supposed to get some strength training, but had fuckarounditis. Went swimming instead. I was not able to track my laps though.

May 24, 2016. SECOND GOAL ACHIEVED. I was able to climb the Palace in the Sky, the whole trip was around 42.5km @ 16.1km/h. The climb was at 1:26min. Whew that was hard! I climbed it with my mountain bike, and I don't think I can do it with my road bike at its present gear setup. BUT! I was able to get it, and I'm almost done with my challenge. I should attempt another climb before the challenge ends, and try to get a faster time. 

Anyway,

I'm having a really hard time getting my strength training done. I usually do my strength training at home since I've decided to go bodyweight, but every session ends up with fuckarounditis, all the time thinking that I could be biking instead. I'm thinking of dedicating a day actually going to a gym and do barbell work instead.

That's it!

1 - Keeping count of laps is really hard lol I find my self struggling about this as well. Sometimes I try too hard remembering the number of laps that I stress out and get confused, I guess it's a matter of getting used to.

21 hours ago, Talvi said:

Great work on accomplishing one of your goals at the end of the first week!  And have fun on the Reverse Palace next week!

 

Are you paying for all the functions on Strava or does it do all that for free?   I'm always a Runkeeper out of habit

Thanks! The functions I've been using on Strava is free, but there is a Premium option. I'm only using the Free features, but it's a lot already. Try it out!

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May 17, 2016 - I had a duty at the hospital in the morning, and today was supposed to be a rest day. But!!! I realized I will be out of the saddle from Thursday to Saturday, so I went out for a quick ride. BUT! Unlucky me got a flat tire. Good thing I have my tools with me.

I was able to get 18.2km, generally flat, and did not exert too much effort. 21.6km/h

Got a PR on a short climb, from 1:38 to 1:32. 

I'm thinking of starting a battle log as to not clutter my challenge with my random Strava PRs. lol

Tomorrow (May 18, 2016), I will have a recreational ride with a group of friends. I don't think it would be too intense, but I'll take whatever training opportunity I can get. 

10 hours ago, SaltyDragon said:

Great work! You must be really happy with the achievement! With the time you have left, I think updating the goal is a great idea. Maybe you can try to add one or two repeats each week? Now, how 'bout that Reverse Palace?

Yeah, really happy about it! I'm setting it at 5 repeats without rest, to keep it realistic. Reverse Palace will be coming this Sunday.

10 hours ago, Sloth the Slow and Steady said:

A challenge all about cycling? How've I missed it. I'll be following along. It sounds like you're off to a good start.

Thank you! Have seen your challenge as well. I am a big fan of Mad Max too! 

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May 16, 2016 - Recovery rides today.

Morning: A quick 22.6km, at 24.6km/hr. Tried to get a faster time on a sprint climb, shaved my time from 1:55 to 1:43.

Afternoon: A short climb at 12.06km at 23.5km/hr. Also got a PR on a short climb, from 1:47 to 1:38.

I'm really thankful for Strava, simple results and PRs like these are really good motivators. 

No riding tomorrow, Pull day of my bodyweight strength workout.

I'm just here to say hi and wish you good luck!!!

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Been using Strava as well, really addictive when you're being compared to others. lol

After years of hesitation, I finally gave in to the cycling shoe. I'm looking forward to crashes lol

I really hope for your success on this challenge, especially the water goal. 

Good luck!

May 15, 2016 - I DID IT! I did my first attempt on my first goal (hill repeats) and I DID IT!

Final time of 4 hill repeats was 27 minutes, and 10 seconds. Of course, cramps ensued after the ride. But I did it!  

This reminded me of my love-hate relationship with climbing, but more on the loving side. lol By the 3rd rep, my leg was feeling tired but I don't want to go home without achieving something, so I pushed myself. Whew!

One goal down, but I guess I'll update it and try to go for 5 or go for a faster time before the challenge ends.  

On 5/10/2016 at 5:08 AM, Calanthia Cobbin said:

wow! very impressive challenge  I've always been afraid of biking myself, I fell into my neighbor's "cactus garden" as a child when learning to ride... but perhaps your challenge will inspire me again!

 

Also if you don't mind me asking, what medical school did you get in to? and is it MD or DO? My husband just finished his second year at LMU-DCOM and is studying for his board exams right now! 

Thank you! That' sounds really painful! I hope my challenge does inspire you, it's one of man's greatest inventions. lol

I'm actually from Asia, so I don't think you know? It's MD, and I just heard of DO now (did a quick google search as we don't have this in our country), and it sounds interesting. 

Good luck to your husband!

1 hour ago, SaltyDragon said:

Been hearing a lot about Strava lately – cyclists, mostly, but also runners. I've been using Runkeeper for so long now that I'm reluctant to try anything else (plus, I like it). But, I don't know what makes it different, either. What is it about Strava that appeals to you? I might have to give it a try myself, someday.

I also used runkeeper before, and was reluctant to use other navigation apps, like you. But I'm loving Strava now. It records the time of your ride, as a whole, as well as th different segments of your ride. So you'll be able to track easily if you're getting faster or not on a particular segment (a short hill or a sprint), not just the whole ride. Also, it compares your time to other Strava users who also went the same route as you. There's a leaderboard for each segment. I think that's what makes it more appealing to cyclists (cyclists always need an ego boost lol jk). You can also follow other users. You should give it a try! 

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May 11, 2016 - I was in a hospital all day to make-up for a day I missed last January. So, decided to make it a rest day. Did some stretching. 

May 12, 2016 - Did a 45-minute ride around our subdivision focusing mainly on muscular endurance through high cadence pedaling. I'm trying to get used to it, as I found out that it is the best way to pedal on a road bike, instead of just smashing on the pedal. lol This is part of my attempts to build a base endurance before I work on my speed and climbing. 

On Sunday, I'll do my first attempt on Cardiac Hill. See how much I can do without resting.

 Anyway, I was talking with my friend yesterday about biking. I just realized that I may have been able to ride a 100km before. I never kept track of my numbers before. But, based on my experiences, I don't think it's impossible. I remember we had a ride where we went up to a mountain to get to a waterfall on top. It was a really long ride which started at 5am, ended at about 4pm. But rest and stops are included of course.

However, this 100km ride that I'm aiming for is a hilly one and stretches throughout our province, so I'm not taking it lightly. I'm still set on getting that 100km record.  I think I should add photos from my rides. Yeah, I should document through pictures. 

That's it! 

Hi! Nice view from your run! I'm envious! 

I'll be following for the adventureeeee! Good luck!

22 hours ago, doctorake said:

Nice job so far, following along for the adventure.

Thanks!! Followed your really interesting challenge, as well!

3 hours ago, SaltyDragon said:

This looks great! I also like how you've included your father into your goals. I enjoy cycling a lot, too, I just don't get to do it very often. Hope you don't mind me stopping in for a little inspiration from time to time.

Thanks! Well, me and my father started cycling together, about 7 years ago, but I was not able to do it often as he was because of college. But life has given me another chance to catch up to him. I'm glad to see another cycling enthusiast.

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May 10, 2016. No bike ride today, and decided to make it a mini rest day.

Just did Simple and Sinister today with a 25lb Kettlebell. It was the heaviest Kettlebell available, so I had to make do. I wanted to get a heavier kettlebell, but all my funds went to my bike. No regrets there.  

8x10 kettlebell swings

1x5 get-ups (both hands)

Finished with heavy bag work: 5 minutes focus on power, 5 minutes on speed. Gotta keep the monk spirit alive.  

Did I mention I started using Strava? Dang it is addictive and is bringing out the competitiveness in me. I'm afraid it might ruin my planned training, however I must use this to motivate me better. I'll find a way somehow to use this to my advantage. 

Maybe I can add a Strava goal somewhere in my next challenge, when I'm directly working on speed. 

A very unique challenge! Good luck!

Hey guys! Anyone else doing cycling challenges?  Or anything related to it?

Hey Scouts! 

I just want to introduce myself, I came from the monks, but will be joining you for a while, since I'll be doing a series of connected challenges. Hope to meet you all!