Final results: Phat Bob 5; Skinny Bob 3.

[Bob S.]

I have done a spreadsheet of my data for the results of my LWT and HWT time trials of the 8 shorter events, 500m through 60'. I posted this, with a half-assed analysis of the data and some of the inconsistencies, on my blog on the UK forum:

http://indoorsportservices.co.uk/forum/blog.php?u=5544

Bob S.

[jackarabit]

The pain prerequisite
He found exquisite.
The journey so nice
He made twice.

I commented on your ISS blog, Bob. Jack

[Bob S.]

I commented on your ISS blog, Bob. Jack

The bit of doggerel was pretty good for an overnight turnaround.

Thanks for the thoughtful blog comment, Jack. I suppose that I should respond to that on the blog, but it is more convenient and effective to post it here. You brought up several good points. I did not make the mistake of last minute dehydration and I tried not to overdo it overall. In fact, I made a point of drinking a lot to flush out all the salt that I got when eating out.

I started out the LWT trial period with a 6k on January 9th, 30' on the 14th, 5k on the 19th, the 3 short pieces from 1/28-1/31, the 60' on 2/4 and the 10k on 2/9. It took a week or so to get my weight down and then I kept my early morning weight at about 163# for that one month and a day. Still, it was tricky, especially for the 6 days that we were in a hotel in Long Beach for the LB Sprints. We were eating out, except for a few snacks that we brought with us. Fortunately, LB has a lot of health-minded people and we found quite a few suitable places to eat. My usual weight, when I am not deliberately trying stay low - just being careful to not overdo, is around 167#. So I am definitely a very light heavy when not trying to get under the max for light. Nevertheless, there is stress there. Every night before each of the trials, I was concerned about whether or not I would meet the goal in the morning. The time factor was also stressful, especially making the 550 mile round trip drive to LB at the end of January and finishing off the last 2 pieces in barely a week after we got home. After that, the major stress was the very long and tiring drives and flights to get to Boston and return and the same kind of time stress of getting all 3 short pieces done there in just 4 days (not to mention having to repeat the 500m). But making weight was no longer an issue, and there was no big rush to get the long pieces done.

Bob S.

[jackarabit]

You were expecting Shakespeare?

[Bob S.]

You were expecting Shakespeare?

For just overnight, Ogden Nash will do. Another thought occurred to me regarding inconsistent results in that spreadsheet, in particular the 60' vs. 10k and 30' vs 6k (and 5k as well to some extent). In both the HWT 60' and 30', I clearly remember checking the projected distance regularly and pushing to raise it or at least maintain it at a certain level with the hope of a good sprint to raise it at the end. It worked very well in both of those, but I did not have the same feeling with the distance set pieces. It probably has to do with using time set pieces for most "training" workouts. It doesn't work out all that well checking on the projected time. On the 500m, it was fine - just stay under 2:00 which applied to both pace and projected time for this one event. The 1k is my weakest event - I don't know how on earth to pace it effectively. For the 2k, good coxing was essential. I've described both of those in detail in old postings. It is in the 1k, 5k, 6k, and 10k that this problem shows up the most. In that last 5k, I had a lot of trouble trying to see the projected time.

Bob S.

[jackarabit]

Sort of a DT as opposed to a TT. I understand the meter-chasing imperative of the timed pieces. An alternative means of sharpening the arrow of pace. Jack