I don't need to count my steps when running to know I'm in better shape and my pants fit better.


Suck the fun out of it, and I'll stop doing it.



Not everything has to be measured.


I don't need a breathalyzer to know I'm drunk.

Or a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Quote from: MrIncredible on January 07, 2010, 09:58:33 AM
It's also a million times more satisfying in a real live proper rowing boat.

If by satisfying you mean getting up at 4 am so you can launch at 5, wearing 2 coats of underarmor to fend of the 32.1 degree water, and then have a midget slave drive you and 7 other poor sods while all the time hoping that the hung over idiot behind you doesn't catch a crab and flip your ass, then yes, it is immensely satisfying. 

Quote from: Monster Dave on January 08, 2010, 06:20:08 AMIf you don't have something in place to gauge your output effort, how are you defining your fitness zone and accurately measuring your progress?

I normally ride my bicycle outside.  Remember the hill profile I posted before?  Most of my rides (before getting pregnant) average 100' climbing per mile.   I've climbed all the local mountains around here.  I can tell how fit I am by how I feel on my normal routes and how long it takes (with natural variations for weather conditions).  Maybe you forgot but I gave you advice when you first started cycling as I've been doing it much longer than you.

I'm using the trainer so that I can keep getting some exercise when the weather is bad as I don't want to take unnecessary risks now that I'm pregnant.   I have no interest in tracking my "progress".

Quote from: Monster Dave on January 08, 2010, 06:20:08 AMTo try and rope in a more focused assessment, you might try and consider cadence pedal strokes (the number of times one knee comes up) and see how long you can hold a cadence of 80-90 for example. Here's how it works:

1) Set your watch for one minute and count the number of times you turn the pedals over.

2) Make sure you count at the same point in the pedal stroke every time. For example, if you start the count when the right foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke then continue to count it when it reaches that point for each pedal stroke.

3) Stop counting at the minute mark. This is your cadence.

At the same time select a level of resistance that you feel is challenging but that you are able to can maintain for the same amount of time.

Or I can just get on my bike and ride.

Hmmm, which sounds more fun?

 you're being an exercise snob, Dave and people are pointing that out.  Really?  telling me I should be able to have fun doing it your way (unwritten assumption of the right way)?

I'm not hating on your comments, but you're being pretty nasty about anyone's goals other than yours.  ("if ALL you want is your pants to fit better....if cycling on a trainer for 20 minutes makes you proud.....if jogging for several miles makes you feel like your getting stronger")   what kind of bullshit passive aggressive crap is that?! 

Perhaps there's just a chasm between types of people in this thread that can't be crossed easily in discussion.   I'll start a different thread so nobody (on either end of the spectrum) has to be discouraged from participating.   

Quote from: El Matador on January 08, 2010, 07:47:27 AM
If by satisfying you mean getting up at 4 am so you can launch at 5, wearing 2 coats of underarmor to fend of the 32.1 degree water, and then have a midget slave drive you and 7 other poor sods while all the time hoping that the hung over idiot behind you doesn't catch a crab and flip your ass, then yes, it is immensely satisfying. 

Yes, that.

We launched at 4:30 though.

I miss rowing.

I was captain of the novice men's 8+ A crew at AandM. I was supposed to become varsity but I changed schools. I think I read somewhere that you were in crew for 8 semesters?

Quote from: El Matador on January 08, 2010, 10:07:50 AM
I miss rowing.

I was captain of the novice men's 8+ A crew at AandM. I was supposed to become varsity but I changed schools. I think I read somewhere that you were in crew for 8 semesters?

Ten seasons.

Miss the single man boat I had to sell to afford college.

Tennis, of course, about seven hours weekly.

I can still beat my ten year old daughter, but if she gets any better I'm going to hide her raquet. A man's got to retain some sense of dignity. 

Oh, I will start tracking distance and speed once I get that bike comp..  other then that, I don't worry about calories n such.. I prob eat about 4000 cal a day..  once in a blue ill just do a fat% test.. lowest I went to was 3% body fat..  I just go balls out most the time untill I physically can't any more...  I'm a nut thgh lol..

It's almost bike season here in Colorado.  Well, Team in Training season, that is.  I imagine we'll start doing group rides in mid-February like last year.

Hopefully I'll be able to get in a few conditioning rides before we start and/or a few spin classes.

Started my half-marathon training program this morning.

A 4 miler in 2^o temps.  Luckly there was no wind. 

Race is in May. 

ouch. ... hardcore indeed...

son/godson didn't do 9 homeworks over Christmas break..  so now he's got 900 pushups to do..

Yesterday was a 6 miler...

Not nearly as sore as I thought I would be.   

In the second trimester now, I seem to have a bit more energy (I think).  That is, I'm still exhausted but I've been running around doing a lot more so I think that's a good sign.  Got back on the bicycle trainer yesterday (still rainy here) and moved a few loads of firewood.