Data Overload

Following the last article on cardiac arrhythmias, a reader wrote in with a question which I think many recreational athletes may also harbor. I thought it would be helpful to answer it as a mini topic.

"...do you think a weekend warrior like me should invest the $150 or so to have a LT and fuel efficiency test? I don't really compete, but am curious about training heart rates. I just use general guidelines and a monitor. I am also not worried at all that I am overdoing it! Your opinion is respected and appreciated." - Ralph

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(Ectopic) Rhythm Nation

Okay all you horny Janet Jackson fans. Just sit the hell down. I’m trying to be clever here. Yes, Rhythm Nation was the name of her album back in 1989 (tell me you didn’t watch MTV at some point in the last two decades) and her naked midriff set the standard for abs everywhere for some time after those videos. But the rhythm I really want to talk about is the cardiac kind. And not just the normal rhythm kind. I’m more interested in, as the title suggests, ectopy. This is the term cardiologists give to heart beats that are generated outside of the normal electrical pathways in our hearts.

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Bjorn Dahle Days

Training on a bike outside this time of year can be an adventure, particularly if you live in the mountains like I do. When the weather turns bad like it often does around here this time of year, suiting up and getting after it requires dedication and a certain amount of masochistic pleasure in being uncomfortable while training. Today was one of those days.

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Different Muscles...WTF?!

Thought I would go off on a little rant here regarding a topic that has bugged me for years. The final straw was drawn following my one climbing outing this summer. Although I now consider myself a full-time recreational bike racer, it was not long ago that I was a climber, Exum guide, all that stuff. I gave that up to maximize my performance in cycling. However, I have a couple of nephews that are kind of crazy about climbing, enthusiasm I am guilty, at least in part, of fostering. These two teenaged go-getters wanted uncle Brian to take them up the Grand Teton this summer. Timing and scheduling issues lead to a two-day window of opportunity two weeks before LOTOJA. I knew I was going to be seriously wrecked after walking downhill for 7,000 vertical feet but I could not resist the pleasure of getting those two guys up on top of the Grand. I figured I could recover in time for the big race.

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Logan to Jackson wrap-up

My first Logan to Jackson is in the books. I finished, did not flat, did not bonk, suffered through some scary quadriceps cramps and nearly achieved my one lofty goal heading into it. It seems strange to have this long event behind me. The idea of it consumed me during much of the summer. There were few training rides this season where the thought of the race did not come up at some point. Even though I raced nearly every weekend for 3 months, some part of those races and the training leading up to each of them were geared toward preparation for the 330 km beat down I faced this past weekend.

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