I mean... I knew the technology for this existed... but that doesn't diminish how awesome this is. I wish I needed to take the bus, ever.
http://www.shuttle.uci.edu/
Can't wait for every transportation agency to have something like this. Imagine checking where the busses and trains are, so you can choose what to do, or know exactly when you're going to make that train?? Flipping sweet.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Max testing
So I got suckered into doing some testing with the carrot of $150 and a free VO2 Max test later down the road. I did the first portion this morning, where I did a VO2 Max test and a 20km time trial (on a trainer... felt slow as balls!!).
Anyway, the VO2Max test was very weird. I had to do it on a exercise bike because it controls the exact amount of power (by adjusting the gearing- so if you pedal fast it's easy, and if you pedal slow it's hard... sort of weird). But we started at 180W (which is a light spin) and pushed it 20W higher every minute. It was very easy for a while, then of course the effort starts going sky high... and you just keep going until you are ready to pass out. I really think I would have done much better on my bike and with clip pedals. I pegged it at 440W, though they gave my VO2 max wattage as 420W, and my Lactate Threshold wattage at around 320W. That basically means that I can't hold 420W for very long (ie MAYBE up a climb in a race) but I should be able to time trial right at or above 320W (at least for 20-40k type distance theoretically). The magic VO2 Max number was 60. I really had no idea what to expect, and every measuring system will give you different numbers. The real cool thing to see will be what my numbers will look like this summer when I get them tested again- this time for my own purposes. I figure I'll get it tested right when I should be peaking to see how effective my buildup to cat3 dominance was.
The only real number of importance that I gained is knowing that my LT threshold heart rate is 172ish. Something I would have been able to guess pretty accurately, actually. Basically if you start riding up a gradual hill, and you slowly ramp it up, going harder and harder, your LT heartrate is the point where your legs start to bitch back at you. Its at this point where your HR can no longer clear all the junk out of your legs, and the acid levels in your blood start to rise. Time trial type efforts in training should be done riiiight about your LT HR, in order to help pushi it up.
Cross races feature HRs that are only higher than that... which is why cross is just....FUN.
Anyway, the VO2Max test was very weird. I had to do it on a exercise bike because it controls the exact amount of power (by adjusting the gearing- so if you pedal fast it's easy, and if you pedal slow it's hard... sort of weird). But we started at 180W (which is a light spin) and pushed it 20W higher every minute. It was very easy for a while, then of course the effort starts going sky high... and you just keep going until you are ready to pass out. I really think I would have done much better on my bike and with clip pedals. I pegged it at 440W, though they gave my VO2 max wattage as 420W, and my Lactate Threshold wattage at around 320W. That basically means that I can't hold 420W for very long (ie MAYBE up a climb in a race) but I should be able to time trial right at or above 320W (at least for 20-40k type distance theoretically). The magic VO2 Max number was 60. I really had no idea what to expect, and every measuring system will give you different numbers. The real cool thing to see will be what my numbers will look like this summer when I get them tested again- this time for my own purposes. I figure I'll get it tested right when I should be peaking to see how effective my buildup to cat3 dominance was.
The only real number of importance that I gained is knowing that my LT threshold heart rate is 172ish. Something I would have been able to guess pretty accurately, actually. Basically if you start riding up a gradual hill, and you slowly ramp it up, going harder and harder, your LT heartrate is the point where your legs start to bitch back at you. Its at this point where your HR can no longer clear all the junk out of your legs, and the acid levels in your blood start to rise. Time trial type efforts in training should be done riiiight about your LT HR, in order to help pushi it up.
Cross races feature HRs that are only higher than that... which is why cross is just....FUN.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Photo Contest Victory
I won the 2nd week's photo contest of the SoCal series.... getting myself another pair of Voler leg warmers which I will likely put in a drawer until I move somewhere colder (can't wait). Looking at this photo now, though, I definietly see a few things I should fixed up. Definitely should have cropped a bit of the junk from the right hand side. Also wish I could have gotten a bit more "centered" so everyone was coming right at me... but with only a 300mm lens, I had to stand on the side of the course, so this was as good as I could get.
Still pretty happy, though I've pretty much given up on taking many good pictures and racing in the same day.... and while I'm 24, I'll race.
Job Interview
Had a dream last night that I was in a job interview. The only question I remember being asked was: "How concise are you?" I just said "very."
Ummm real weird.
Probably triggered by the fact that I've started to officially look for some positions, and applied to one at Arup last night. They're a big design/build firm that designed the birds nest and water cube for the Olympics. The link above is to the graduate intro program they have, which looks fan-tas-great. It seems like I'd still be going to school when I start there... but basically school to learn how to work for them- basically the dream job at this point. If you know any other sustainable / green companies having anything to do with the built environment in Seattle, let me know.
Along those lines, anyone know where you can snag good deals (I mean basically steal) AutoCad???
Ummm real weird.
Probably triggered by the fact that I've started to officially look for some positions, and applied to one at Arup last night. They're a big design/build firm that designed the birds nest and water cube for the Olympics. The link above is to the graduate intro program they have, which looks fan-tas-great. It seems like I'd still be going to school when I start there... but basically school to learn how to work for them- basically the dream job at this point. If you know any other sustainable / green companies having anything to do with the built environment in Seattle, let me know.
Along those lines, anyone know where you can snag good deals (I mean basically steal) AutoCad???
Thursday, October 09, 2008
If you think this blog is bad...
try checking this one out:
http://moms4sarahpalin.blogspot.com/
Some of the worst crap I've ever read. I'm not sure if they watch the same debates, or live in the same world. Sarah Palin isn't even qualified to be a governor, let alone a VP. Can't wait until she disappears from the national headline, only to get another 15 minutes of fame when she comes back and does the centerfold for Playboy's MILF edition. Now that is one magazine with her picture in it that I'd buy....
http://moms4sarahpalin.blogspot.com/
Some of the worst crap I've ever read. I'm not sure if they watch the same debates, or live in the same world. Sarah Palin isn't even qualified to be a governor, let alone a VP. Can't wait until she disappears from the national headline, only to get another 15 minutes of fame when she comes back and does the centerfold for Playboy's MILF edition. Now that is one magazine with her picture in it that I'd buy....
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Watching the debate...
Hey John.... stop saying "my friends" every five minutes. I'm not your friend, it's annoying. Instead, if you want to communicate to the same people but want to stop annoying me, you should say "hey old fat white men who are afraid of change". That'll single out the same group.
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