[quote]sfp wrote:
Never thought I’d see the day when the Canuck dollar is so strong. What’s the world coming to?
[/quote]
We have it on a HRT program at the moment.
There will be a taste of spring in the air for the next four or five days. It’s very much needed, everyone seems to be suffering from the winter blues. The trail will be well used, meaning lots of carrots (cyclists) to keep me focused.
Mainly it will just be great to feel the sunshine. The rest is just a bonus.
Real Bad Day at work. Not going to vent but I did need to let to let off a lot of steam. Worked late and then did a 30km skate before I blew-up. I just let it all go, helped a little.
April Skate Log: 30km Skate Log: 1132km
I will be starting my carb loading for tomorrows skate. I’d like to do an 80km skate, it will be sunny and hot. The perfect combination.
Hoping for 80km isn’t the same as doing it. Did a 55km skate, it was a great skate with lots of chases. However it was cut short of 80km because I failed to connect the dots.
After about 30 or so kilometers my quads started cramping up when I flexed them. I figured it was from my power skate yesterday. I was wrong, it was the onset of dehydration.
I was drinking more than usual. I even checked the fountains yesterday to see if they had been turned on, they had. Still that increase in temperture and still wearing weather gear had me sweating up a storm. I didn’t realise what was happening until it was to late to correct.
I had a blast. Lots of skaters out but not as many people as I was expecting. It really felt great being in the sunshine. That was the best part of the day!
April Skate Log: 85km Skate Log: 1187km
Still a good skate. You’ll not have that problem again
1187km is mind blowing stream.What do you eat to carb load?
[quote]Jimmy T wrote:
1187km is mind blowing stream.What do you eat to carb load? [/quote]
Oatmeal is my staple. It’s a great carb and has additional health benifits to boot. Of course I always have a 1500+ calorie smoothie prior to a skate. Which I just finished consuming as I get ready for my skate. It is absolutely beautiful outside.
I just need to consume some water, gear up and go have some fun. I’m watching the weather channel and I see my week of weather is starting to look fabulous. Life is great when I get my way!
Balls out, that’s how it was. My skating sessions are going to be all out animal shows for the next little while. I felt the power of the sun today. I fed off it’s energy an lite up the trail in top form. Chasing down everything in sight. For the first 30km I caught everything I chased. The last 15km was all about hanging on for dear life. Never give up!
It was 45km of ecstasy. I had summer gear on and increased my water consumption by 400%. The sun was shining and it was 16 degrees Celcius. 15km head & tail wind to add to the fun.
I’m already able to drive the double push technique to the limit. I can also really feel the extra effort I’m putting out. My wheels are so woren down I’m sure it’s costing me at least 20% of my speed.
New wheels (going from 100mm to 110mm) and bearing will be here early next week. I always get scared to first skate with new wheels and bearings. The added speed is so noticable it’s not funny (it’s scary). Living on the edge, I love it!
The ceramic bearings are really going to show on the long skates. There ability to stay cool under constant friction will be well worth the extra money. I beleive I’m at the point where it will be noticable. I’m starting to get stoked about this years first time trial. I’ll be extremely surprised if I’m under 30km. Staying strong, fast and good looking!
April Skate Log: 130km Skate Log: 1232km
I’m exhausted. Short skate, but very fast. Did a 30km all out, it just feels great laying it all on the line. My tank was nearing empty by the end and I was seriously feeling my legs. I’m feeling very powerful out there. It will be a dominating year.
April Skate Log: 160km Skate Log: 1262km
Here’s a few things I learned about gaining speed. I bet my roommate I could smoke him in a 40yd dash, but I didn’t know until after I laid down 100 bucks for the bet that he was a former sprinter. I told him since he tried to sandbag me he had to give me 2 months to prep for the race.
First, I spent about a month going heavy as shit on legs and glutes to build up as much maximal strength as I could, along with a lot of calf and hamstring stretching to improve stride length. I also did a lot of work on sprint technique.
The second month, I wanted to translate the extra strength into explosive power, so I went way lighter and did a lot of ballistic and explosive moves (jumping squats and lunges with just the bar on my back, explosive squats, anything leg-oriented and focused on bar speed). Also, a lot of single leg moves.
I kept stretching a lot, and worked on my start by dragging a spare tire from a chain around my waist for 10-20 yards and ran long sprints for endurance. Then I rested the last 4-5 days before the race other than some light sprint technique work. Long story short, I smoked him.
So, if you want to get faster, as far as gym time goes, build up maximal strength in order to translate it into explosive power, stretch a lot, and alternate between HEAVY leg workouts and light weight, explosive movements for legs.
That’s a great story, artw. And thanks for throwing in the deets on training.
Streamline-- you continue to impress.
Thanks SteelyD.
Pretty quiet on the trail today. I was expecting greater volume for a holiday. The sun came out just as I started my 50km skate. Still cold in the shaded areas.
Spent some time working on technique as well some sprint work. Kept it solid for the duration and went home with legs of led.
The rain will be coming in tonight and staying for several days. My next skate may be on new wheels. First time trial of the year is coming up really fast. I hope for several more skates before then and better weather conditions.
I also need to get back to the gym. Working hard at staying strong.
Have a great Easter Holiday guys, eat lots of clean food;)
April Skate Log: 210km Skate Log: 1312km
When will you ever stop amazing me??? I don’t think I can even fully appreciate the things you do because I have rollerbladed on the street in a pair of hockey skates + a pick-up game 2-3 times a year in roller hockey BUT I have no concept of the speeds and distances you log wek-in & week-out.
Your description of your aches and pains is the only thing i think i can relate to. As always, my utmost respect for you and what you do…nice work stream!
How fast can you go on the blades? What would be a good 10K time or good average speed? Any good wipeout stories?
[quote]QuarterTonner wrote:
When will you ever stop amazing me??? I don’t think I can even fully appreciate the things you do because I have rollerbladed on the street in a pair of hockey skates + a pick-up game 2-3 times a year in roller hockey BUT I have no concept of the speeds and distances you log wek-in & week-out.
Your description of your aches and pains is the only thing i think i can relate to. As always, my utmost respect for you and what you do…nice work stream![/quote]
Thanks a ton QT, hope things are going good for you. There’s a sweet weather system coming our way. Lots of sun and warm temperatures, so the skate log is going to get big.
Funny but this is the first time I have kept a skate log. Although I’m skating greater distances now. I think I’ve skated alot farther than I previously thought.
When something is a passion you get caught up in it. Next thing you know several hours have passed. If it wasn’t for tired muscles I’d probably go all day long. Matter of fact that is exactly what I’m trying to do. Godda to love it!
[quote]ecogenx wrote:
How fast can you go on the blades? What would be a good 10K time or good average speed? Any good wipeout stories?[/quote]
I don’t know how fast I can go. I have been clocked by a cyclist at 43km sustained for over a kilometer. I plan at some time (then I have money) to get a GPS locator with the proper functions. Then I will have a great training device.
On the fat I would think I could do 10km in 15-17 minutes. It’s someting I plan on finding out this spring and summer.
I cruise around at about 22km. I don’t think I can go any slower than that.
Best wipeout is still a mystery. I have no idea what cause my misery. It was four years ago. Before I had my speed skates. I has very fast but not to great on form.
I was coming off a slight down grade onto the fat. The trail was empty. I was down low with my hand behind my back and I was flying. Next thing I know I’m flying. Literally flying through the air. I was able to get my hands about to the chest when my upper body slammed into the asphalt. My palms were facing my chest when I hit. Ripping the flesh from my forearm, knuckles and stomach area. I bounced hard and skidded on my shoulder, hip and knee lossing more flesh in the process.
Did a little tumbling and other weird shit before coming to a stop. After a moment to make sure nothing was broken I got up with one thing on my mind. Find out what I hit, I could not find any thing any where. I took one look at myself and headed home. Thinking how the next day was not going to be fun.
It would take a year to completely heal. I was able to continue skating but the sheer amount of lost flesh required alot of healing time. I now carry with me at all times my skaters first aid kit.
The biggest was the head on collision with the cyclist last October. I posted pictures of that one in my log. Nothing is going to stop me, knock on wood several times.
Just went back and re-read all those posts from your October crash. Very ugly. You wear safety gear I hope.
[quote]streamline wrote:
I cruise around at about 22km. I don’t think I can go any slower than that.
[/quote]
That is a great line.
[quote]ecogenx wrote:
Just went back and re-read all those posts from your October crash. Very ugly. You wear safety gear I hope.[/quote]
Yah, that was a bad day.
I do wear a helmet and wrist guards. Knee and elbow pads are useless to me. Plus my first aid kit, just in case.
It’s a beautiful day, sunny and warm. Tomorrow, which I just learned I have off due to work shortage and I’m next on the rotation, will be an awesome day. All sun with a light wind and 14 degrees celcius. You know where I’ll be.
Had an amazing skate late this afternoon. I only planned a 30km skate, today was a speed day. A short warm-up and I let loose the hounds. It was commuting time on the trail, which is what I wanted. When the sun shines the cyclist on the trail easily doubles.
I used and disguarded cyclists one after the other. Searching for the challenge. They’re always there and it’s always worth the effort. Win or lose I win, a win, win situation for me. I love the challenge of trying to maintain great form while exerting maximum effort. The level of concentration required is an exileration all in it’s self. Lets just say it’s not the best time to fuck-up!
My last chase had to be close to 5km. I’d chatted with the cyclist at a traffic light just prior to the start. He had come up from behind and commented on my pace. He was surprised but very happy for me once I caught him. It was just flat out and then start digging for extra. Which is what it’s all about.
My form was pretty solid. The new wheels are going to be so appreciated. Mine are so worn I end up riding over small stones instead of having them skip off my wheels. It doesn’t effect my skating other than blowing my concentration. Which is extremely annoying at times.
I can’t wait until tomorrow, fun in the sun. Life is sweet!
April Skate Log: 240km Skate Log: 1342km