Spring is in the air. Warm weather is just around the corner. This is when many people start getting the itch for a new bike. Or perhaps your first bike. But if you are new to the whole road bike thing, what do you do? Shopping
for a new bike can quickly become overwhelming - and expensive. It is easy to get wrapped around the axle (Pardon the Pun) with all the different brands and components and styles. There is so
much information a available on bikes that make it nearly impossible to take it all
in and make a definitive decision. Just like any other piece
of equipment, buying a bike is a very personal decision that requires some serious thought. And unlike running shoes you are not likely
going to have the opportunity to buy and ride a new bike every year so
you have to get it right the first time.
Here are 5 basic tips to help you make the best decision you can.
1. Determine your price point
Just how much are you really willing to spend. This
will likely at least limit your options. Bikes can range in
price from a few hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars. And
there is a sea of options in between. Major price points for bikes are
determined by the model you buy, similar to cars. Different models have each have
their own pros and cons. In general, with the base models you get a
standard aluminum frame. Then you move up to light-weight aluminum. Then
aluminum carbon hybrids - usually the forks are carbon at this level.
Then you move to the all carbon bikes. Each different construction has
its own price level. So determining your price threshold will go a long
way in refining your decision.
2. Determine what options are important to you
You
may not even really know at this point. But think about it anyways.
What do you think you want? As you look around and try things out, you
may find that your perceptions change. That's OK. If you are a novice
that's OK - own it! Admit that you may not know what the heck you are
looking for. Ask questions. Any good salesman or bike store owner will
spend the time answering your questions. In my experience, they like
people asking them for advice. They like sharing their knowledge with a
fresh mind. Chances are they have been riding longer than you and know
more about bikes than you.
3. Get a
fit
At least a basic measurement. Take some
time to get at least a rough measurement for the size of bike you need.
Most reputable bike shops will do this for you. I'm not convinced that
as a beginner you need to go through a full bike fitting. Lots of people recommend getting a full fitting done. and most bike stores
charge for this service. I think it is not necessary to get completely fit for a bike before you really know how you intend to ride. The more ride the more you will start to understand what you really want as far as adjustments and body position. Just get the
general frame size (56, 58...). I say work out the finer details later.
4. Test ride
Ride more than one
bike. Ride more than one brand. Try different component options. You
may find that you don't notice a difference between a Shimano 105 or an
SRAM gear set. Within particular bike models this is what drives the
price. So at this point why pay for an upgrade you see little benefit from. You
may find that you don't notice a difference with shifting components,
but you want upgraded breaks or different pedals. It's your money, spend it where you see fit. You can ask 10 different people what
bike is the best and you will likely get 10 different answers. Picking
a bike is really a personal preference. Try several different models out and see
what you like. Heck you may even discover that at this point you can't even
tell the difference. But at least you know and when you make the final decision you won't be wondering what "what if that Trek was better?"
5. Take your time.
Don't rush. If this is your first bike,
you are probably putting down what feels like a considerable amount of
money for this purchase. You don't want to be on a bike that you end
up not liking. Remember that just because you walked into a store and talked to the salesman for an hour and rode a bike or two, doesn't mean that you have to buy something that day (or from that store for that matter).
Good luck and happy shopping!
Showing posts with label Resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resources. Show all posts
Friday, March 22, 2013
Thursday, June 7, 2012
The traveling triathlete: A guide to conquering the business trip workout.
Plan Ahead
Finding the time and a place to workout while on travel can be particularly difficult. In order to be successful you need to have the mindset that being on travel and away from home is no excuse for not working out. It needs to be a priority in your travel planning. Once you have the correct mindset, it just be ones a matter of making the time and finding a place.
Of course traveling can have an impact on your workout. But it doesn't have to completely interrupt it. At the very least, pack your running shoes and an extra pair of shorts? There is almost always a place to run; a park, around the block, if you're lucky maybe a beach. Although, just because you are on a business trip doesn't mean that you have to stick to running. There are plenty of ways to get in a good workout.
When looking for a hotel, check out the fitness amenities. Many hotels have some sort of fitness option for their guests. This may be workout facilities at the hotel or a partnership with a local gym. Even if you stay at a hotel with a fitness center it may not be all that it is advertised to be. It has been my experience that even though a hotel may have a "Deluxe Workout Facility", it may be no more than a couple treadmills and stationary bikes. If your lucky it might even include a universal gym. Onsite facilities, especially the less than deluxe ones, often go unused. So they are a good place to squeeze in a workout or two if needed. It's better than throwing in the towel and doing nothing at all. So, get your butt on one of those bikes an crank out a few "miles"! Now, if you are able to stay at a little better hotel, the facilities are often much more functional. Sometimes including free weights and separate aerobics/yoga rooms with mirrored walls and all. So what's your excuse now?
Swim workouts can be the hardest to keep up with while on travel. Hotel pools are rarely swimmer friendly. They tend to be short, super chlorinated and often outdoors (hope its not winter). These pools are more for kids to play in than for someone to crank out a handful of laps. If you can't handle missing a swim, or are going to be on travel for more than just a few days, I recommend finding a local swim club or gym.
Think Alternative fitness
There are plenty of other ways to get a good workout, without even leaving your hotel room. And hey, this way clothing is optional... Lots of hotels have DVD players already connected to the room TV's. Body-weight workouts are a great way to get in a good workout in your hotel room and a good way to mix up the workouts a bit. Bring your favorite Jillian Michaels
DVD or Sweatin' to the Oldies
or maybe even P90X
and get at it. You can also bring things like resistance bands if you feel the need to add a little extra something. They are small and easily fit into a suitcase. If your room doesn't have a DVD player, then make up your own workout. Or if you are not feeling particularly creative, there is an endless supply of workout that can be found online.
Don't Forget to Eat Right Too!
Finding the time and a place to workout isn't the only challenge a triathlete will face while traveling. Making sure you stick to a good diet is a must. It is very easy to be a bad eater when traveling. You are running here and there, trying to eat quickly. Generally, your meals consist of eating out at one chain restaurant or another. Throw in jet lag, long days and late dinners with customers, and you have a recipe for diet disaster.
Keep up with your snacks. Does your hotel have a buffet breakfast? Take a coupe extra pieces of fruit with you for the day. They may even have some cereal bars too. That can make a good midday snack to help ward off the hunger pangs and keep you from overeating later. I like to find the local grocery store and just buy what I want (cliff bars, trail mix etc.). And when dinner comes around make sensible choices. You don't need the biggest, cut if beef on the menu. Plus restaurant portion sizes tend to be large. If its not what you'd eat at home, why do it on travel. Almost every restaurant has at least one salad on the menu. And remember you don't need to clear your plate.
Drink Plenty of Water
Don't forget the water. Make sure you keep hydrated. To start with plane travel can be a cause for dehydration. The decreased air pressure in the cabin can cause you to become dehydrated without you even knowing it. So don't forget to drink before, during and after your flight. I know that might lead to the uncomfortable moment where you are crawling over people to get out of your seat so you can take a restroom break, but its worth it to not be dehydrated. And then there is the evil Mr. Caffeine. I usually drink a lot of coffee when I'm traveling. Mostly because I work late nights and I'm fighting jet lag. That's another reason to force myself to drink more water.
If you have any suggestions for good hotel workouts let me know.
Good luck, safe travels and keep moving.
Finding the time and a place to workout while on travel can be particularly difficult. In order to be successful you need to have the mindset that being on travel and away from home is no excuse for not working out. It needs to be a priority in your travel planning. Once you have the correct mindset, it just be ones a matter of making the time and finding a place.
Of course traveling can have an impact on your workout. But it doesn't have to completely interrupt it. At the very least, pack your running shoes and an extra pair of shorts? There is almost always a place to run; a park, around the block, if you're lucky maybe a beach. Although, just because you are on a business trip doesn't mean that you have to stick to running. There are plenty of ways to get in a good workout.
When looking for a hotel, check out the fitness amenities. Many hotels have some sort of fitness option for their guests. This may be workout facilities at the hotel or a partnership with a local gym. Even if you stay at a hotel with a fitness center it may not be all that it is advertised to be. It has been my experience that even though a hotel may have a "Deluxe Workout Facility", it may be no more than a couple treadmills and stationary bikes. If your lucky it might even include a universal gym. Onsite facilities, especially the less than deluxe ones, often go unused. So they are a good place to squeeze in a workout or two if needed. It's better than throwing in the towel and doing nothing at all. So, get your butt on one of those bikes an crank out a few "miles"! Now, if you are able to stay at a little better hotel, the facilities are often much more functional. Sometimes including free weights and separate aerobics/yoga rooms with mirrored walls and all. So what's your excuse now?
Swim workouts can be the hardest to keep up with while on travel. Hotel pools are rarely swimmer friendly. They tend to be short, super chlorinated and often outdoors (hope its not winter). These pools are more for kids to play in than for someone to crank out a handful of laps. If you can't handle missing a swim, or are going to be on travel for more than just a few days, I recommend finding a local swim club or gym.
Think Alternative fitness
There are plenty of other ways to get a good workout, without even leaving your hotel room. And hey, this way clothing is optional... Lots of hotels have DVD players already connected to the room TV's. Body-weight workouts are a great way to get in a good workout in your hotel room and a good way to mix up the workouts a bit. Bring your favorite Jillian Michaels
DVD or Sweatin' to the Oldiesor maybe even P90Xand get at it. You can also bring things like resistance bands if you feel the need to add a little extra something. They are small and easily fit into a suitcase. If your room doesn't have a DVD player, then make up your own workout. Or if you are not feeling particularly creative, there is an endless supply of workout that can be found online. Don't Forget to Eat Right Too!
Finding the time and a place to workout isn't the only challenge a triathlete will face while traveling. Making sure you stick to a good diet is a must. It is very easy to be a bad eater when traveling. You are running here and there, trying to eat quickly. Generally, your meals consist of eating out at one chain restaurant or another. Throw in jet lag, long days and late dinners with customers, and you have a recipe for diet disaster.
Keep up with your snacks. Does your hotel have a buffet breakfast? Take a coupe extra pieces of fruit with you for the day. They may even have some cereal bars too. That can make a good midday snack to help ward off the hunger pangs and keep you from overeating later. I like to find the local grocery store and just buy what I want (cliff bars, trail mix etc.). And when dinner comes around make sensible choices. You don't need the biggest, cut if beef on the menu. Plus restaurant portion sizes tend to be large. If its not what you'd eat at home, why do it on travel. Almost every restaurant has at least one salad on the menu. And remember you don't need to clear your plate.
Drink Plenty of Water
Don't forget the water. Make sure you keep hydrated. To start with plane travel can be a cause for dehydration. The decreased air pressure in the cabin can cause you to become dehydrated without you even knowing it. So don't forget to drink before, during and after your flight. I know that might lead to the uncomfortable moment where you are crawling over people to get out of your seat so you can take a restroom break, but its worth it to not be dehydrated. And then there is the evil Mr. Caffeine. I usually drink a lot of coffee when I'm traveling. Mostly because I work late nights and I'm fighting jet lag. That's another reason to force myself to drink more water.
If you have any suggestions for good hotel workouts let me know.
Good luck, safe travels and keep moving.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Scheduling Insanity
My schedule is kind of crazy...but who's isn't Right? Between work, family and working out, I don't have a lot of free time. I'm a pretty early riser during the week - mostly because I have to be. My carpool for work leaves for work at 5:00AM. And by the time I get home its almost 5:00 PM. Once home, its the kids homework, sports, girl scouts and on and on. Somewhere in there my wife squeezes in her workout. (She is currently rocking P90X). By the time 9:00 rolls around the kids are heading off to bed (hopefully) and I'm usually online again for another hour of catching up on work emails.
But wait a minute, I didn't even talk about my workouts. That's because I squeeze them in when I can. I typically wake up at 3:50AM and am out the door by 4:00 for a morning run or ride. Until recently, that has been it for working out, except on the weekends. But with summer coming up, and the triathlon looming in the not to distant future, I really need to step it up.
Thankfully, my wife has been very supportive of my triathlon endeavors. During the summer, I'm planning on riding two nights a week after work as well. It will be nice because I have recruited one of my coworkers to ride with me as a training buddy. He is not training for anything in particular, he just likes to ride. On the other nights, (weather permitting), we will be at the pool. We belong to a local community swim club. Our club has a lap pool as well as a general pool. So when the kids are playing, hopefully I can start cranking out some swim workouts.
So, Over the last several days, I have been working on putting together a workout schedule. It's easy to say, I'll run 30 minutes this day and I'll bike 60 that day and so on. But until you really lay it out on a schedule, you have no idea how that will really impact your daily life. With an increase in frequency of my workouts, and my wife has her workouts to get in and all the kids activities, finding time to make everything work can be a challenge. Heck, its been hard enough to find time just to put together the workout schedule.
I like to use Google Calendars for my planning. I find that it is a great tool for this purpose. We already have a family calendar where we keep track of all our goings on. It's nice to have that synced up to our phones as well so we can each see the calendar wherever we are. For the workouts I simply created a separate workout calendar that I can overlay on the family calendar to see how well things align. And its all right there at one time. When things come up that need us to change plans, we can see everything that is impacted at once and adjust accordingly. It is very convenient.
It does take bit of work to set up, but when its all done, I find it motivating to have the schedule in front of me. I know exactly whats expected on any particular day. I know what workouts I'm planning on doing and when. I will post a copy of the schedule somewhere on this blog, if I can figure out how to do it.
We all have a lot of things going on in our lives. So, how do you make your schedule work?
But wait a minute, I didn't even talk about my workouts. That's because I squeeze them in when I can. I typically wake up at 3:50AM and am out the door by 4:00 for a morning run or ride. Until recently, that has been it for working out, except on the weekends. But with summer coming up, and the triathlon looming in the not to distant future, I really need to step it up.
Thankfully, my wife has been very supportive of my triathlon endeavors. During the summer, I'm planning on riding two nights a week after work as well. It will be nice because I have recruited one of my coworkers to ride with me as a training buddy. He is not training for anything in particular, he just likes to ride. On the other nights, (weather permitting), we will be at the pool. We belong to a local community swim club. Our club has a lap pool as well as a general pool. So when the kids are playing, hopefully I can start cranking out some swim workouts.
So, Over the last several days, I have been working on putting together a workout schedule. It's easy to say, I'll run 30 minutes this day and I'll bike 60 that day and so on. But until you really lay it out on a schedule, you have no idea how that will really impact your daily life. With an increase in frequency of my workouts, and my wife has her workouts to get in and all the kids activities, finding time to make everything work can be a challenge. Heck, its been hard enough to find time just to put together the workout schedule.
I like to use Google Calendars for my planning. I find that it is a great tool for this purpose. We already have a family calendar where we keep track of all our goings on. It's nice to have that synced up to our phones as well so we can each see the calendar wherever we are. For the workouts I simply created a separate workout calendar that I can overlay on the family calendar to see how well things align. And its all right there at one time. When things come up that need us to change plans, we can see everything that is impacted at once and adjust accordingly. It is very convenient.
It does take bit of work to set up, but when its all done, I find it motivating to have the schedule in front of me. I know exactly whats expected on any particular day. I know what workouts I'm planning on doing and when. I will post a copy of the schedule somewhere on this blog, if I can figure out how to do it.
We all have a lot of things going on in our lives. So, how do you make your schedule work?
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Online Triathlon Resources
Looking for some information on triathlons? Or perhaps some good workouts for just running or swimming? Or maybe some advice on some good bike equipment. Where is the first place most of us look. Cyberspace of course! Below, I have listed some of my favorite online resources. These are all sites that I frequent for advice and motivation with my triathlon training.
www.runkeeper.com
This is a great site for tracking your activity. Plus if you have an iPhone or Android, they have an App that will integrate your phone to the site. This will allow you to use the GPS in your phone to track your progress automatically. I really like the online route mapping feature that helps you plan your routes and gives you a map with total distance calculated. You can set up your own 5K training run around your neighborhood and have it all mapped out. The same App can be used to track your movement via GPS for other things like biking, skiing and so on. It also allows you to manually enter your data when GPS is not available (treadmill, swimming, elliptical....) The App comes in a free version that has all the basic tools or a paid version which provides more detail analysis of your activities. Additionally, you can get a heart rate monitor that will sync your heart rate data to the App as well.
www.trinewbies.com
Trinewbies is an excellent workout resource. If you are looking for a workout plan to either get started with a triathlon or to work on a specific sport, check them out. The site has complete Couch-to-Triathlon programs as well as individual event workouts.
www.beginnertriathlete.com
Beginnertirathlete also has a lot of resources available. I like reading many of the motivational and first triathlon stories. BT also has has a pay option that allows members access to even more information, and resources.
www.usatriathlon.org
USTA has more training tips and logs. Plus if you sign up you can get discounts on a bunch of stuff. If you are running a USTA sanctioned event, it helps to already be a member. Also - You gotta know the rules.
www.sheldonbrown.com
A completely awesome site for cycling. There is so much bicycle information available on this site, it's purely amazing. I've spent a lot of time on this site researching repairs for my bike - Big Red.
How to find a Race:
www.active.com
Race Finder
What blogs and sights to you use? Comment and let me know.
www.runkeeper.com
This is a great site for tracking your activity. Plus if you have an iPhone or Android, they have an App that will integrate your phone to the site. This will allow you to use the GPS in your phone to track your progress automatically. I really like the online route mapping feature that helps you plan your routes and gives you a map with total distance calculated. You can set up your own 5K training run around your neighborhood and have it all mapped out. The same App can be used to track your movement via GPS for other things like biking, skiing and so on. It also allows you to manually enter your data when GPS is not available (treadmill, swimming, elliptical....) The App comes in a free version that has all the basic tools or a paid version which provides more detail analysis of your activities. Additionally, you can get a heart rate monitor that will sync your heart rate data to the App as well.
www.trinewbies.com
Trinewbies is an excellent workout resource. If you are looking for a workout plan to either get started with a triathlon or to work on a specific sport, check them out. The site has complete Couch-to-Triathlon programs as well as individual event workouts.
www.beginnertriathlete.com
Beginnertirathlete also has a lot of resources available. I like reading many of the motivational and first triathlon stories. BT also has has a pay option that allows members access to even more information, and resources.
www.usatriathlon.org
USTA has more training tips and logs. Plus if you sign up you can get discounts on a bunch of stuff. If you are running a USTA sanctioned event, it helps to already be a member. Also - You gotta know the rules.
www.sheldonbrown.com
A completely awesome site for cycling. There is so much bicycle information available on this site, it's purely amazing. I've spent a lot of time on this site researching repairs for my bike - Big Red.
How to find a Race:
www.active.com
Race Finder
What blogs and sights to you use? Comment and let me know.
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