E’s Rock

Not to worry folks…I’m alive and well. For all those that have called, emailed and visited me (no one really) and those that haven’t…not to despair. All is good.

So…somehow I was convinced to get out of my ‘comfort’ (aka indoors) zone and ride outdoors. Yes, the one with roads, real trees and salted grounds. I had to dig for gloves, toe warmers, a hoody, wooly socks and all the extra accessories needed for sub-40 degree climates. Why 40 degrees? Because that’s what I set as my ‘temperature FT’ for the year. Last year no problem, 28-degree sign me up I’m there. This year, unless we’ve got some hotties with us, snacks at the finish and massages…good luck. Well maybe if the G-Man shows up I can make an exception. (Who is that G-Man anyways? Like Bigfoot and Nessie. Who knows.) Where the hel we were I still don’t know. Somewhere out ‘west’…way west. O’Donnell’s the culprit here. I tried telling him that my eye surgery (the other eye) was in jeopardy. It had been worked-on just today…he wanted nothing to hear about it. “You’re riding dammit.”

At any rate, the plan was to say goodbye to 2007 with a bang and get in a good 2hrs. 40 degrees no problem. I had 2 choices: today, 40 degrees sunny and dry…or tomorrow, 20 degrees, 70-80% rain/snow. Hmmm…? Today.  Unfortunately, as so eloquently stated here, my SRM PCV also wanted to go out with a bang. I thought I had 3hrs but the thing has a mind of it’s own and one day it can say/read/display a full charge, and the next you have negative 2hrs left. Hmm…as I tell my buddies…no room for ‘thinking’. You know or you don’t.

So why not start-off with an interval from the gun. Actually it wasn’t really an interval, but that kid lives in the middle of nowhere, in a valley, between 17% gradients to the left and right. No choice but to climb…and climb we did.

Just as an aside, there’s no quote ‘flat’ section out west. It’s either up 8mph, down 40mph or rollers.

Be it as it may…the SRM crapped-out after less than an hour. Lucky for me and my fans and groupies (I wish), I captured an interval that just ‘might’ show the tip of the iceberg for the coming season. A beastly climb - somehow managed 14mins @ 291 watts. Of particular interest to me, however, were the first 8 mins @ 310w normalized. The only reason I’m giving this insight is because I have friends/people asking where I’m at in relation to last year, how’s my training, where have you been etc etc? To put it succinctly (is that the right word E?)…I am slightly more fit (higher watts), at a lower weight (150 vs 155lbs) at an earlier time (Jan ‘08 vs. June ‘07). I should be able to lose another 5lbs no problem by summer.  Watch out G-man!

Just a little extra in case you’re still reading (fingers crossed). In the last 4-5 weeks I’ve interviewed with:

Bloomberg (x2)

D.E. Shaw Group

Tishman Speyer (x3 times)

Merrill Lynch (x2)

and a host of other quote ‘interested’ recruiters (aka time-wasters).  In my endless search, that’s pretty much what I’ve been upto. Between phone and in-person interviews, that’s where I’ve been. Not to be confused with not training. I’ve been training just not posting. I aplogize.

And finally…after 4 weeks of endless goose-hunting, both Merrill and Tishman made an offer, of which I accepted the latter. I start in NYC on Jan 14th. I’m thrilled, excited and can’t wait. Looks like I’ll be waking up at 4am a’la Goldman from now on!  Bring it!

Thanks for reading all.

little-E

In my never-ending quest to land employment in the “financial” world, I found myself on the train to NYC this Monday. Mission: interview with Bloomberg. 3pm.

First a meeting with the eye doc - a quick follow-up on the surgery. (Now they want to operate laser the other eye. WONDERFUL!) It ’should’ be a quick in-and-out type appointment but…yeah…it’s not. Despite the leaving 1-hr before my pre-schedule departure time, traffic on Route202 just wasn’t moving fast enough. Dammit Facas/O’Donnell…why didn’t you warn me about Route202 during the week. (The only time I take that route is when frequenting the mall or making my rounds to East/New Brunswick.) I’m blaming you two! At any rate, arrive just on time but for some reason things weren’t moving there either. Maybe it’s the age difference and the fact that I need to quote “be somewhere.” Most people with retina detachments are twice my age if you get drift. Long story short, I make it back to my place at 1030, eat, shower, shave, match my tie and shirt and BLOOMBERG HERE I GO!

Arrive into the city at 130pm and by 2pm I’m there, right at the building. (Note to self: always buffer an extra hour just in case. Good idea E.)

Ok what’s your point Eric? Absolutely no point. Basically, that between my doc appointment, travel to and from NYC, there was zero riding. 3 days no riding! ouch! ok so we’ll call it a rest week and get the legs ready for the ensuing carnage.

Did the break serve me well…I would say…yes. Below’s the evidence/analysis. Please note, we’re all different. We each respond to different stimuli to rest ratios. For me specifically, 2 or 3 “SOLID” days workout, followed by 2 or 3 “OFF” days…apparently works. Or rather, I can get away with it. Again, this is for me! Some people atrophy (is that the right word E? Not sure but it sounds good.) after one or two days. Sure, I’m only running the experiment n=1 but the numbers are numbers. Can’t refute them. I can always run it again, double-check, cross-check, double and single-blinded. It is what it is.

Without confusing myself too much, observe the graphs below, taken on 11/15 and 11/28, respectively. These are both Tempo rides. I am also only taking into account the ‘higher’ ranges for HR and power.

Top graph (11/15) shows:
1:24 @ 170-180bmp.
18:57 @ 160-170bpm

and

5:57 @ 240-260watts
:39 @ 260-280watts

Bottom graph (11/21) shows:
12:51 @ 170-180bmp
25:12 @ 160-170bpm

and

7:36 @ 240-260watts
1:33 @ 260-280watts

Ok Eric, once again, what’s your point. First off, the numbers aren’t spectacular. That’s ok. It’s November. Secondly, it’s a Tempo ride, not a crankathon power-hour full-bore TT. Secondly, the numbers are moving up and towards the right. Up and towards the right…that’s what we want. So my theory/conclusion, if I can train my HR and cardiovascular system enough, and raise my time with elevated HRs, then the power ’should’ follow. Either the power rises, or my body gets more efficient. Regardless, we’re making progress.

Until next time…remember, up and to the right.

eric

10/29 - Monday

SRM #1:
Duration: 4:18 (4:30)
Work: 66 kJ
TSS: 6.5 (intensity factor 0.954)
Norm Power: n/a
VI: n/a
Distance: 0.741 mi
Min Max Avg
Power: 140 323 257 watts
Heart rate: 153 181 173 bpm
Cadence: 60 92 73 rpm
Speed: 7.5 15.7 10.3 mph
Pace 3:50 8:03 5:48 min/mi
Crank Torque: 131 420 304 lb-in

SRM #2:
Duration: 9:36 (9:48)
Work: 134 kJ
TSS: 11.5 (intensity factor 0.847)
Norm Power: 241
VI: 1.04
Distance: 1.607 mi
Min Max Avg
Power: 116 376 233 watts
Heart rate: 155 182 173 bpm
Cadence: 60 87 76 rpm
Speed: 7.2 13.2 10.0 mph
Pace 4:33 8:19 5:58 min/mi
Crank Torque: 117 474 265 lb-in

SRM #3:
Duration: 8:36
Work: 109 kJ
TSS: 9.6 (intensity factor 0.817)
Norm Power: 233
VI: 1.1
Distance: 1.447 mi
Min Max Avg
Power: 0 410 211 watts
Heart rate: 134 184 168 bpm
Cadence: 51 233 77 rpm
Speed: 4 14.2 10.1 mph
Pace 4:14 15:05 5:57 min/mi
Crank Torque: 0 568 244 lb-in

SRM #5:
Duration: 8:00
Work: 141 kJ
TSS: 14.7 (intensity factor 1.05)
Norm Power: 299
VI: 1.02
Distance: 1.544 mi
Min Max Avg
Power: 157 459 293 watts
Heart rate: 142 188 181 bpm
Cadence: 60 94 75 rpm
Speed: 7 16.3 11.6 mph
Pace 3:41 8:37 5:11 min/mi
Crank Torque: 180 570 336 lb-in

SRM #7:
Duration: 2:00
Work: 34 kJ
TSS: 3.4 (intensity factor 1.004)
Norm Power: n/a
VI: n/a
Distance: 0.249 mi
Min Max Avg
Power: 201 428 281 watts
Heart rate: 154 180 174 bpm
Cadence: 48 74 58 rpm
Speed: 5.8 9.3 7.5 mph
Pace 6:26 10:16 8:02 min/mi
Crank Torque: 277 593 416 lb-in

SRM #8:
Duration: 3:00
Work: 50 kJ
TSS: 5.4 (intensity factor 1.039)
Norm Power: n/a
VI: n/a
Distance: 0.488 mi
Min Max Avg
Power: 148 412 276 watts
Heart rate: 147 184 175 bpm
Cadence: 58 82 70 rpm
Speed: 7.2 12.9 9.8 mph
Pace 4:39 8:19 6:09 min/mi
Crank Torque: 157 600 341 lb-in

Entire workout (145 watts):
Duration: 2:46:54 (2:55:23)
Work: 1454 kJ
TSS: 151.2 (intensity factor 0.737)
Norm Power: 210
VI: 1.45
Distance: 40.088 mi
Min Max Avg
Power: 0 614 145 watts
Heart rate: 0 188 144 bpm
Cadence: 32 233 75 rpm
Speed: 0 36.3 14.4 mph
Pace 1:39 0:00 4:10 min/mi
Crank Torque: 0 666 170 lb-in

11/1 - Thursday

SRM #1:
Duration:      7:54 (8:06)
Work:          134 kJ
TSS:           12.9 (intensity factor 0.99)
Norm Power:    282
VI:            1
Distance:      2.789 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           248    323    282     watts
Heart rate:      170    187    179     bpm
Cadence:         90    106    99     rpm
Speed:           17.3    22.7    21.2     mph
Pace             2:38    3:28    2:50     min/mi
Crank Torque:    207    296    241     lb-in

SRM #2:
Duration:      8:00
Work:          134 kJ
TSS:           12.8 (intensity factor 0.979)
Norm Power:    279
VI:            1
Distance:      2.808 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           249    335    278     watts
Heart rate:      163    190    182     bpm
Cadence:         86    104    96     rpm
Speed:           19.8    22.9    21.1     mph
Pace             2:37    3:02    2:51     min/mi
Crank Torque:    212    304    245     lb-in

Entire workout (159 watts):
Duration:      52:18 (54:03)
Work:          499 kJ
TSS:           49.4 (intensity factor 0.753)
Norm Power:    215
VI:            1.35
Distance:      14.007 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           0    335    159     watts
Heart rate:      0    190    144     bpm
Cadence:         48    108    90     rpm
Speed:           0    22.9    16.1     mph
Pace             2:37    0:00    3:44     min/mi
Crank Torque:    0    304    146     lb-in

11/3 - saturday

SRM #1:
Duration:     8:06
Work:         142 kJ
TSS:          14.2 (intensity factor 1.027)
Norm Power:    293
VI:           1
Distance:     2.954 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:          238    315    292     watts
Heart rate:     0    186    171     bpm
Cadence:        90    105    98     rpm
Speed:          20.8    24.6    21.9     mph
Pace            2:26    2:53    2:45     min/mi
Crank Torque:    203    281    253     lb-in

SRM #2:
Duration:     8:06 (8:08)
Work:         132 kJ
TSS:          12.3 (intensity factor 0.954)
Norm Power:    272
VI:           1
Distance:     2.818 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:          214    332    272     watts
Heart rate:     149    185    176     bpm
Cadence:        86    105    95     rpm
Speed:          19.4    22.2    20.9     mph
Pace            2:42    3:06    2:52     min/mi
Crank Torque:    184    319    242     lb-in

Entire workout (156 watts):
Duration:     52:06 (54:26)
Work:         488 kJ
TSS:          48.7 (intensity factor 0.749)
Norm Power:    213
VI:           1.37
Distance:     14.004 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:          0    332    156     watts
Heart rate:     0    186    138     bpm
Cadence:        53    108    92     rpm
Speed:          0    24.6    16.1     mph
Pace            2:26    0:00    3:43     min/mi
Crank Torque:    0    319    142     lb-in

11/4 - Sunday - Princeton, Readington, Round Valley

Selection:
Duration:      2:30
Work:          48 kJ
TSS:           6.2 (intensity factor 1.22)
Norm Power:    n/a
VI:            n/a
Distance:      0.588 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           133    552    320     watts
Heart rate:      154    178    165     bpm
Cadence:         74    101    93     rpm
Speed:           12.3    16.9    14.1     mph
Pace             3:33    4:53    4:15     min/mi
Crank Torque:    127    507    290     lb-in

SRM #1:
Duration:      5:06 (5:15)
Work:          93 kJ
TSS:           10.2 (intensity factor 1.095)
Norm Power:    312
VI:            1.03
Distance:      1.472 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           0    417    304     watts
Heart rate:      166    185    177     bpm
Cadence:         78    99    92     rpm
Speed:           10.9    21.3    17.3     mph
Pace             2:49    5:29    3:28     min/mi
Crank Torque:    0    387    280     lb-in

SRM #2:
Duration:      7:51
Work:          121 kJ
TSS:           12.9 (intensity factor 0.993)
Norm Power:    283
VI:            1.1
Distance:      2.019 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           0    632    258     watts
Heart rate:      126    184    166     bpm
Cadence:         59    113    88     rpm
Speed:           8.9    32.9    15.4     mph
Pace             1:49    6:42    3:53     min/mi
Crank Torque:    0    731    249     lb-in

SRM #3:
Duration:      7:03 (7:06)
Work:          125 kJ
TSS:           12.7 (intensity factor 1.04)
Norm Power:    296
VI:            1.01
Distance:      2.594 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           222    369    295     watts
Heart rate:      165    185    177     bpm
Cadence:         74    103    90     rpm
Speed:           18.5    27.3    22.1     mph
Pace             2:12    3:14    2:43     min/mi
Crank Torque:    190    324    276     lb-in

SRM #4:
Duration:      6:33
Work:          109 kJ
TSS:           11.9 (intensity factor 1.042)
Norm Power:    297
VI:            1.08
Distance:      1.837 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           0    472    276     watts
Heart rate:      161    183    176     bpm
Cadence:         67    103    83     rpm
Speed:           8.3    31.4    16.8     mph
Pace             1:54    7:12    3:34     min/mi
Crank Torque:    0    498    283     lb-in

SRM #5:
Duration:      7:42 (7:54)
Work:          125 kJ
TSS:           12.1 (intensity factor 0.972)
Norm Power:    277
VI:            1.03
Distance:      1.438 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           0    423    270     watts
Heart rate:      159    182    173     bpm
Cadence:         45    99    74     rpm
Speed:           6.3    27.2    11.2     mph
Pace             2:12    9:28    5:21     min/mi
Crank Torque:    0    562    319     lb-in

SRM #6:
Duration:      6:36 (6:42)
Work:          105 kJ
TSS:           9.5 (intensity factor 0.931)
Norm Power:    265
VI:            1
Distance:      2.562 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           162    453    265     watts
Heart rate:      141    183    171     bpm
Cadence:         71    104    85     rpm
Speed:           17.9    33.4    23.3     mph
Pace             1:48    3:21    2:35     min/mi
Crank Torque:    169    484    265     lb-in

SRM #7:
Duration:      9:00 (9:03)
Work:          140 kJ
TSS:           13 (intensity factor 0.932)
Norm Power:    266
VI:            1.03
Distance:      3.452 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           0    496    259     watts
Heart rate:      165    186    177     bpm
Cadence:         67    98    83     rpm
Speed:           12.8    29    23.0     mph
Pace             2:04    4:41    2:36     min/mi
Crank Torque:    0    551    265     lb-in

SRM #8:
Duration:      11:12 (11:15)
Work:          168 kJ
TSS:           14.9 (intensity factor 0.892)
Norm Power:    254
VI:            1.02
Distance:      2.458 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           144    414    250     watts
Heart rate:      154    185    176     bpm
Cadence:         47    95    76     rpm
Speed:           7    26.3    13.2     mph
Pace             2:17    8:37    4:33     min/mi
Crank Torque:    163    535    287     lb-in

Entire workout (161 watts):
Duration:      4:22:39 (5:17:44)
Work:          2542 kJ
TSS:           273.4 (intensity factor 0.79)
Norm Power:    225
VI:            1.4
Distance:      70.61 mi
Min    Max    Avg
Power:           0    1013    161     watts
Heart rate:      0    239    142     bpm
Cadence:         30    196    80     rpm
Speed:           0    40.6    16.1     mph
Pace             1:29    0:00    3:43     min/mi
Crank Torque:    0    856    171     lb-in

11/6 & 11/8

Ride indoors on trainer, tt bike.

Ok so this wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. In fact, I was adamant about staying away from the whole “group” thing for the coming weeks…at least while this ‘eye’ issue completely resolved itself.

With that said, I’m not quite sure if it was just the name of the event (PUMPKIN PATCH PEDAL) or just the fact that the words “pumpkin patch” got me all nostalgic, bringing back memories as a kid going “hunting” for pumpkins with the 1000 other pre-schoolers. Maybe a combination of both.

Be it as it may, it was a total last-minute thing and due to somewhat personal reasons, I didn’t want to be at home. I had to get outside and ride. And if it meant riding for 4 hours, meeting up with a good number of friends, having a good time and enjoying the outdoors…what the hel.

I popped in my contact lenses for the first time and off we go.

Somehow it was decided that the 62-mile course was the plan. Being that I haven’t officially ridden in…hmm…5 weeks, the 62 miles seemed like a stretch. The only riding prior to this outing were a few hours on the trainer, watching Grey’s Anatomy (don’t ask me how or why), spinning to get the legs back in action.

Well, as LJ (or is it JL? who the hex is JL?) so [URL=”http://www.westwoodvelo.com/showthread.php?t=2527″]eloquently put it[/URL], they might as well have called this the Tour de Pumpkin or something of sorts. (Though to this day I’m still looking for those dang pumpkins.) From start to finish it was a single pace-line, 20mph avg, from the second we left the parking lot 5 miles from the start to the time we got back to the car. 72 miles total. (I’m not sure if people just see the Westwood uniform and automatically default the ride to hammer-fest, “Hey guys let’s drop the hammer until one of these WWV guys cracks.”) Not exactly the ride I wanted but super-fun nonetheless. Got to catch-up with old buddies here and there…definitely nice seeing everyone out there still in good form.

The ride was about having fun and just being out with friends. So with that, the watt and HR numbers were all over the place and nowhere specifically.

In case anyone’s interested, same gang, give or take a few, will be doing a ride through Round Valley on Nov 4th. This could change though.

well not quite…at least not yet. Not officially.

Visited the retinal doctor yesterday morn and apparently everything is healing well. Still a few stitches left that need to loosen themselves free. (Can you really stitch the eye? I don’t even want to know.)

(As an aside: I had a stitch or two come free last weekend Saturday - woke up and blood around (not inside) the outside of eye. Placed a call to the doctor: “Oh don’t worry about that. It’s just a stitch coming loose. It must have popped a blood vessel. You’ll be fine.”

“What!? Oh sure like that’s just normal. It happens every day right?” I mumbled. )
At any rate, the Dr’s don’t suggest anything too strenuous within a month of surgery. He gave me another week and a half before I can do anything.

Not to bore anyone, but the last month has been arduous to say the least. I know it sounds lame (what a loser) yeah, but you ride and ride for years, and before you realize it, this cycling thing has engulfed, well not engulfed, but just becomes a big part of who you are, what you do, gives you a sense of purpose, if that makes any sense. You don’t ride for a few days and it’s like something’s missing. Something’s wrong, not right, lost.

So in the coming weeks I’ll slowly make my way back on the bike. I’ll keep it light and indoors, making sure there’s no headaches or blood rushing to the head (as has happened recently when going up stairs or moving around). Depending on how that goes I’ll take it from there. No heavy 300+ watts intervals or anything. Slowly make my way back. No riding in groups for now.

Thanks to all that have written emails and offered help and checked-up on me. Much appreciated. Really. We’ve got a nice team here. A nice caring bunch.

dávila

I’m going to step out on a limb here and defend the PT. All the problems with moisture, water etc have been fixed since the new SL hubs were introduced. I’m not talking about the old-school bright-ass yellow hubs, but the black/carbon hub. I’d still stay away from the wireless 2.4 edition. CatEye can’t even get their wireless speed/cadence unit to work so I wouldn’t bank on it. (Say what you may, but I see those Cateye units returned ALL the time for the wired brother.)

When it comes down to it, power is power, regardless of the system, where it’s read (crank or hub). Remember, each system is going to be a few watts (give or take) different than the other system and you’ll have to adjust to the readings (if you have separate devices). Who cares though. Dave L has proven this - the SRM and PT are off by a few watts, bid deal. More importantly, it’s not the ‘actual’ wattage you should be worried about, but the [B]consistency [/B]of that reading. What you don’t want to do is have 2 different devices, and incorrectly assume 300 watts is the same on each of the devices. It just ain’t gonna happen and you’ll find yourself in trouble during a TT with such a strategy.

Additionally, CyclingPeaks, which we all use, doesn’t care what system you’re using. You’ll still get TSS, IF and all those readings.

Now, from a logical (i.e. financial) point of view, the SRM makes little sense. Even if it requires the purchase of two (2) PT hubs. Let me explain:

First make a few assumptions:
1. $3240 price tag on the SRM (with discount)
2. You’ll need a set of race wheels
3. If you went the PT-route, you’ll need two (2) sets of wheels (training/racing).

Competitive is showing a price of $1100 for a PT on a Mavic Open pro, a proven all-rounder which can take a beating. You can get a matching front for like $200 easy. So we’ve got 1300$ and power, on a training wheel.

$1600 for a PT in a 404 rear tubular + $900 for a matching front = $2500.

Together you have $3600 - 10% = [B]$3240[/B]. Now you’re training and racing with power. Fair enough.

But wait Mr. Dávila, you’ve already spent more than the cost of the SRM? al contraire monsieur….remember you still need a set of Zipp wheels to race on if you went the SRM route. Add another $2k = [B]$5200[/B] total.

So you’re looking at $3200 vs $5200 to have an ‘identical’ setup for both racing and training situations.

Now what about tt’ing? Pay a few $$ and get a disc cover setup for the rear 404. Per the MIT study/wind tests, apparently the first 1/3 of the bike is the most important. Other than the Crr on the rear, not sure the disc/404 would make THAT much of a difference. Either way, that’s another cost for the disc either way.
But hey what do I know. I’ve owned both the PT and the SRM and not sure how it happened, I have multiple SRM cranks.

e