Training

Playing with Xert– Part 3

kennakata Running Training, Training

This my overdue third post on using Xert to track my cycling and running fitness. This post discusses how to add running into the mix. My first post in this trilogy described why Xert is such a useful product. In my second post, I wrote about using Xert smart workouts to turn Xert into the world’s smartest coach as well as integrating those features into Zwift to give you a really a fun and super-effective workout. If your only sport is cycling, those posts pretty much tell you all you need to know. But most of you are multisport athletes and this post talks about how to incorporate Xert to all of those other sports. This post is specific to running– but it could apply just as easily to any other endurance sport where power measuring technology is common (e.g. rowing). Continue reading →

Playing with Xert– Part 2

kennakata Cycling Training

In my last post, I introduced a new tool that I have been playing with called Xert. In this post, I’ll describe why it can be the smartest coach you could have— and how to use it with Zwift. In my third (and last) post in this series, I’ll explain how I’ve been using Xert to track running in addition to cycling. Continue reading →

Playing with Xert– Part 1

kennakata General Training Ideas, Uncategorized

As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been playing with Baron Biosystem’s Xert for the last few months. It’s an interested and amazing product that fits part of my 2018 training schedule. I’m breaking this post into three bite-size parts. First, I’ll talk about why Xert is such an amazing product. Next, I’ll discuss how to use the Xert ConnectIQ Player, which is the most effective (but evil) realtime coach you could ever have. Finally, I’ll share my thoughts about how to integrate running and cycling into Xert.

Continue reading →

A Better Way to Run “Over-Under” Running Workouts

kennakata Running Products, Running Training

10000m OlympicsAsk any elite triathlete or runner about some of their most effective workouts and it’s highly likely that so-called “over-under” workouts will come up fairly quickly because they are devastatingly effective. I’ve always performed miserably at these workouts but I’ve recently found a new way to hit them pretty precisely. This post shares what I learned. Continue reading →

Never Plan Steady Threshold Intervals

kennakata Cycling Training, Running Training, Training

After racing this year, I am rethinking my approach to polarized training and currently need a hard focus on lactate threshold (FTP) work.  Yesterday, I rode the classic 2 x 20min at FTP and failed miserably.  I thought this was odd because I succeeded in riding the same workout less than a week ago.  Now, I’ve found a better way and so I’m sharing it today. Continue reading →

USAT Duathlon National Championship (Bend, Oregon) – A Race Report and Lessons Learned

kennakata Big Races, Cycling Training, General Training Ideas, Injury Prevention and Treatment, Recovery Products, Running Training

The Finish Line at USAT Duathlon NationalsThis wasn’t my greatest race result by a long shot, but it was the result that I deserved.  As I mentioned in my last post, my body has been a house of cards this year.  Maybe a teetering stack of Jenga blocks is a better metaphor with each race being like pulling out another supportive block from the bottom.  Any way you look at it, I’m frail this year; one tiny mistake and everything comes toppling down.  That happened in Avilés when my back went out and boy did it cost me.  This time everything held up—consequently, Nationals were definitely easier and faster than Avilés even though it was at about 3,500 feet of altitude.  But I was also definitely racing well within my already compromised limits.

I’m going to write this race report a little differently because I don’t want to focus as much on the actual race as much as what I’ve learned from doing the race and what I’m doing about it.  Even though I’m not in ideal shape, I am excited and I have a plan.  Also towards the end, I’ll mention some of the longer term challenges that affected both this race and Avilés—as well as what I’ve learned from going through this darker period.  So let’s dig right in! Continue reading →