Normatec MVP

Check out these fancy new space boots we just got at VQ! The boots are part of the Normatec MVP (Most Valuable Pump) system, and they're supposed to aid in the recovery process. Apparently some of the top cycling teams use the "space legs" to speed up recovery among their top athletes. I've tried them out and they’re pretty nice, they compress and massage your legs in 15-30 minute intervals and generally leave you feeling pretty refreshed afterwards. My favorite part of the massage cycle is when the boots are squeezing my quads… man, I wish I could leave them squeezing that spot for days, it feels fantastic. I’d love to have something like this at home but the price tag on the Normatec MVP system is pretty steep.



Here's a review of the Normatec MVP system from the Garmin-Transitions cycling team:

Through word of mouth and some strong personal testimonials, we heard of a device being used by groups like the Navy SEALs, University of Florida and the Pittsburgh Pirates as a recovery tool and as a treatment for both acute injuries and post-operative rehabilitation. That device was the NormaTec MVP – a machine designed to externally compress the limbs in a way that mimics normal physiology with roots as a clinical treatment for patients with circulatory diseases stemming from diabetes to cancer. Although, our athlete’s aren't sick, the inflammation, edema, and micro trauma normally caused by intense training and competition, though not nearly as severe, isn't that different from cancer patients with Lymphedema or diabetics with chronic wounds that won’t heal. After speaking to Dr. Laura Jacobs, a rehabilitation physician and PhD bioengineer who invented the NormaTec, I was more than impressed with the extensive clinical evidence demonstrating that it was a viable way to treat those with disease and theoretically athletic performance.

PowerTap

One of the best investments I made last year was purchasing a PowerTap Pro S/L (used) from a friend. I bought it last July and used it for my late season races to measure and dial in my race-day output on the bike. Through it I was able to accurately measure (in real time) just how hard I was pushing it on the bike and whether or not I needed to push or pull back my intensity. At VQ we train primarily using power so I’m excited to go through a whole race season knowing exactly where my power output range lies and how hard I can hammer it out there.

I'm also working my way through the book "Training and Racing with a Power Meter".

Power meters are rapidly becoming an invaluable part of training and racing among professional cyclists and triathletes, amateurs looking for a competitive edge, and gear fiends. For coaches and athletes, these devices offer enormous potential for targeting and timing training to realize a rider's goals. Yet few athletes or coaches understand how to interpret the data for optimal results, and few do more than consider the possibility of wattage training. Training and Racing with a Power Meter decrypts the layers of information and explains how to begin a program that effectively integrates power. Hunter Allen and Andrew Coggan have conducted extensive research and consulted with manufacturers to deliver the most sophisticated and scientific approach to training on the market, allowing riders to tap every last watt of power. The book includes cogent case studies, sample power workouts, and a chapter on the future of training and racing with these indispensable devices.

What races are you doing this year?

Ah yes, it’s that time of the year, when the most common question heard around triathletes is “What races are you doing this year?” Most experienced triathletes have their race schedule planned out a year in advance, and most newbies are eagerly looking for race suggestions from these experienced veterans. As for me, I have a general idea of what races I’m doing this year. The past couple of years I've done 3-4 Olympic distance races with a half ironman race thrown in at the end as my A-race. (Actually, the Olympic distance races were planned, and then about halfway through each of those summers I decided to go for the half IM). Normally I’ll throw in a couple early and late season run races just for fun.

This year I know I won’t be able to do a half ironman race, just due to the time commitments involved with it. So the focus will be on Olympic distance races, with a couple early and late season run races thrown in. I’m also planning on adding a couple bike races if I can (time trial events). I also wouldn't mind doing a swim-only event like the Big Shoulders swim. I’ll probably have to get back in the pool at some point for that last one though.

So, triathlon-wise, I've signed up for the Galena Tri/Du in May. I've also already signed up for the Chicago Triathlon at the end of August. So those will probably be the bookends to my season. In between I plan on signing up for 1-2 local races as my time and training permit. The ones I have my eyes on are Big Foot, Pleasant Prairie and Bangs Lake. These races are pretty spread out throughout the summer and historically they haven’t sold out. For the run races I’m looking at the Shamrock Shuffle and a couple local 5ks, nothing specific in mind yet. For the bike races I have my eye on a 2-Man TT and a 4-Man TT that are held in the area that a lot of VQ athletes sign up for. I did the 2-Man TT last year and had a blast, so I've already decided I want to do that one again this year. The 4-Man TT will be a new event for me but it looks like a lot of fun.

New Year’s resolution #2: Get a new bike saddle

I've started to have pretty severe saddle discomfort lately during my longer indoor training sessions. When I ride outdoors generally my ‘boys’ get unhappy with me about 2 hours into a ride, but indoors where you don’t move around as much I've found that this window narrows down to about an hour. I still have the default bike saddle that came with my bike so I think it’s time I look into upgrading my seat so that I can enjoy my longer rides without worrying about my ability to have kids in the future :)

New Year’s resolution #1: Get back in the pool

Well, my no-swimming streak remains alive and well. The last time I swam was at the Great Illini Half Ironman race in September. For those of you keeping track at home, that’s close to four months without swimming. Yikes… Something about jumping into a cold pool in the middle of winter right now is not really exciting me. That, coupled with the fact that I know the first couple of times I start swimming again are really going to suck has me less than eager to jump back in the pool. Still, I know I need to get back in there eventually if I hope to improve my swim times at all this year.

Kicking off the New Year

Well, the New Year is upon us and my winter break from school is officially over. I start up my second quarter this week and I really don’t have the same enthusiasm I had when I first started last quarter. I can’t already be burnt out from school, can I? Maybe it’s due to the fact that I also know that we're about to start on the second phase of the major project I'm on at work, and these next couple of months could be hellish for me. Oh yeah, and I’m still looking for that consistent training schedule that has eluded me these last couple of months. I'm coming off of my mini-training camp and I hope to keep this momentum going.