Year of Training Dangerously

Ladies: How to Change a Flat Without Tears

17 May 2012 05:44:00

I'm addressing this to ladies specifically because I'm going to assume we share a common disadvantage -- insufficient wrist strength to wrestle a tire off and back on fast, once the tube goes flat.

I flatted this morning in the house, as I was pumping up for a ride. Got the tire to pressure, took off the nozzle, and somehow managed to snap the top of the valve off along with it: shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, followed by a quick 'it' from me to make the sentiment official.

I don't fancy changing a tire at any time of day, much less at 7:30 a.m. But it was do that or no ride, so I went to work, putting my new Speed Lever to the test in the process. Let me tell you, this tool is now my BFF. I got the tire off in seconds rather than long, frustrating minutes, and getting it rebeaded was just as simple. It works on the principle of latching underneath the tire at one end and hooking onto the axel at the telescoping other. All you have to do is rotate the tire while drawing the lever in the opposite direction and leverage does the hard work for you.

In race circumstances it would be even more useful, making the difference between a slight delay and a DNF. I am so fond of this gadget. Thank you Crank Brothers for a truly useful innovation for the toolkit.

Listen Up: Safe Headphones for Cyclists?

16 May 2012 12:54:00

Cycling is the last silent preserve of my training sessions. For the pool, I recently splashed out on a waterproof iPod (which works just fine, but the earbuds are really uncomfortable under the cap, so this is a work in progress). I run to music or a podcast nearly every time I go out. But cycling has long been the one arena where I've stayed well away from auditory diversions. My ears have saved my ass on countless occasions. I depend on them to tell me what's approaching behind, how fast, how heavy, diesel or regular engine, disc wheel on a tribike, etc. etc., all the while running subconscious calculations on whether evasion is necessary or just hold my line.

But the fact is, these long training rides can get boring. Even in some of the loveliest parkground in the land, the same loops over and over lose something by the umpteenth go round. How nice it would be to have some musical distraction, or Ben Greenfield on podcast, helping the minutes and hours slip away.

So when I read about these bone-transmission headphones, in the Guardian's cycling blog no less, my attention perked. Are they really safe for cycling? You can still hear every sound of traffic, and enjoy the undeniable ergogenic effect of music at the same time?

Not that I need any more kit, lord knows, but in the name of science, they ought to be tried.

Hurdles

15 May 2012 06:29:00

Why is it so hard to get out the door when it's raining, but if the shower starts in the middle of a workout, the experience can verge on transcendant?

At this time of year the sun is always shining in London at 6:15, only to disappear into grey drizzles and general disgruntlement by 7:00. And while it's not ideal, it's ok, because the clear dawn lulls you out, it's bright enough during those shakeout first few miles, and then, when the inevitable downpour begins, you're kinda warm, in the zone, and enjoying the patter on the new leaves. Plus, without all the rain, Hampstead Heath wouldn't be the amazing, electric green that's as cleansing in its own way as the indoor shower that follows. This morning, at the peak of a downpour, I passed a lady walking her dog. She looked up at me and with a shake of her head, said "Another lovely day." She didn't mean it, but she was right anyway.

Is Improved Strength/Endurance/Energy Really That Simple?

14 May 2012 01:14:00

Better-quality and more enjoyable training sessions are my holy grail. Given that I'm doing so much so often there has been a decided lack of edge to most of my workouts. I'm going through the motions, clocking in 13+ hours a week, but only very rarely do I feel hungry to get out there, and more importantly, surpass my previous limits in the process.

This consistent lack of edge, of keen-ness to bite the ass off a ride or a swim or a run, can't be a good sign. It obviously means I'm not getting enough of something -- but what? B vitamins? Protein, Fats? Carbs? Iron? Some esoteric amino acid that I'll need to run through the alphabet to discover?

I think it might not be. Because last week, and then again this week, I did something a bit different, and woke up feeling energized. And surprised myself over the course of those days' sessions by hammering in a way I haven't done for years.

The secret [I think! I hope!] -- one extra hour of sleep. Tipping from seven to eight hours a night seems very likely to be the factor that is working miracles on my workouts. I've written about the sleep needs of athletes previously, and while I'm no Paula Radcliffe and never will be, that's not a bad lifestyle to emulate.

I'll be putting this to the test through this week. I will be in bed by 10:00 -- I promise, I vow -- every night. Even after a night swim session, which always leaves me revved for hours -- the revving will take place under the covers.

Zzzzzzz you later.