4 Hours on the trainer...

Well last night I got 4 hours in on the trainer ( I am the Ben Gordon of indoor cycling!) or the equivalent to a 60-70 mile ride. The sad thing was I did break in the middle for 15 min. for dinner and a couple of restroom breaks. But I managed to grind through all 114 minutes of Rudy ( I know ain't nothing in the world like watching a 5 foot nothing guy get the crap beat out of him for 2 hours, and get a sack in the only game of his career...non football fans just smile and nod here.) and 127 minutes of Coach Troy's aero base builder. Funny thing is aero base builder seemed alot less difficult this year, no real problems other than getting numb on the saddle. No urges to kill Troy in the middle of it just a few hours in the saddle. My Achilles is feeling a little better granted I'll be talking to Alex to run me through some Weight work to strengthen it. I didn't get to hit the pool yesterday but I think four hours of listening to my rear wheel generating power, counts for something. The thing is I'm really hoping this wacky weather pattern of one cold week, one ungodly warm week continues because I need to get out and ride...the trainer helps but I get bored as hell. I think I need to get some Tour de France DVD's or record the women's ITU world championships....hey some of those girls are fine eye candy...I mean motivation.... Anyway alot's on tap this week end so I'm not going to be able to squeeze in my Sunday ride...If the roads are good on Saturday I might haul out to Middlebury but that's a big if. Hopefully there is no pending nor'easter in the cards for next week and I'll be able to get in a *gasp* outdoor century. The clock is ticking the mileage is building and I need more motrin....and to invest in one of those trigger point rollers, and compression tights...wait Bob that's how you got yourself in debt remember....one day I'll have a job that will support this habit, or sponsors...

On the Sponsor front Zoot Gu is officially dead as of midnight...it was a nice experience but I really wish I had gotten it in 07 instead of 08 becasue of the economic Krakatoa that went down in my house I didn't really have enough coin to take advantagde of some of the deals they offered...irregardless I have enough gel to get me through the next two seasons, and this season since I figure it's going to be limited it's probably better I don't drag a sponsor into the already heaping pile on my plate...granted I am tempted to apply to Trakkers....

Well that's all from my neck of the woods...since it is bitterly cold out there ( like -10 F with the wind chill) I'm probably going to just hit the trainer for a few hours. Saturday I'll most likely run or brick up.

Happy New Year!
R.D.

Zoot vs. New Balance debate

Ok time to get back from being the stressed out college kid/arm chair theologian to the tri geek I am. As everyone knows I am sort of sponsored by Zoot and GU for the 2008 tri season ( which unfortunately means I will not be able to run in my HEAT livery (it's from Garnieau which would be breach of sponsor ship.) this season, unless Zoot doesn't ship the team uniform I will not be the familar "flame guy" at most of my races this season. sniff, sniff.) While I can attest to the quality of Zoot's wetzoots, and a few of their other products, the foot wear is an issue. I have used New Balance since I was a junior in high school. I know the products inside and out and their racing and training shoes have gotten me through 400 meter sprints to full marathons and every race in between. So when Zoot came out with their racing line I'm a little skeptical, the shoe is in its first year of production, it's been tested by pros with feet of steel, and although they look like they have an ultra high quality race flat, the lack of a true training line frightens me. Also the price tag make me a little afraid to take the risk on them, ( You spend $50-$80 on a trainer and if it sucks it hurts the checkbook but not as bad as $120.) I think I'm going to hold off on trying the Zoot ultras ( unless of course I get them for free) until I hear some more feedback on them and Zoot develops a heavier weight training line. Afterall a solid trainer usually results in a solid race comp. Although some of the features of the ultra series impress me:

Built in speed laces: so you don't have to fork over $7 for Yanks and then spend an hour unlacing and relacing your new shoes. ( I did this in NZ and it broke my heart watching daylight slip away as I struggled with the damn things.)

Seamless interior: Having torn my feet open due to interior stitches going barefoot this is a good move forward.

Hopefully there will be more good feedback after the 08 season and I might throw down for a pair but as for now I'm sticking with the good old relaible "N"'

The guy with more shoes than Roslinda Marcos
R.D.