Maltloaf's Cycling Journal

[maltloaf]

This morning's 16 miles.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/364037172

Another really strong feeling ride. Times and averages have really improved in the last three days and I'm not sure why to be honest but I'm not complaining.

I know I shouted at myself for not going fast enough at one point, looked down at the computer and I was doing 21mph uphill!

Took my week's total to 145 miles beating last week by 2ish so I'm happy with that.

Cheers,

Malty

[beansontoast]

A lot of inspiration to get off my arse again after reading this. Been out this evening for a 2.5 hour walk through forest & heath. Got a bit lost but melted away over 1600cals (says the polar heart rate monitor).

I used to walk a lot. Some good advice I received which will also apply to cycling is take lots of different routes because you can get sucked in to trying to beat yourself all the time.

[Goldberg]

18km run this morning in the pissing rain.
Refreshing but I am still getting 4:30+ lap times which is pissing me off! They follow with just over 4:00 sometimes which is strange.

Anyhow, out on the lash today for a friends birthday, so the first 4 pints are free

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/364553565

[maltloaf]

20 miles today. Slower than the last few days but fine considering last night's booze.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/364707660

[maltloaf]

Bagged myself a garmin 405cx from eBay which is listed as working but with reduced battery life for £45.

Running with the edge was fine but it's not designed for it and is a bit unwieldy so I was looking out for a cheap gps watch, preferably garmin.

I already have an ant+ stick so can sell the one with the new watch on eBay for £15 which makes the watch £30ish.

Had a look and I can get the battery for £8, takes about 15 mins to fit (solder job) so potentially my outlay will be under £40.

If the current battery lasts long enough for say a 10k then I'll probably leave it as is.

Cheers,

Malty

[maltloaf]

Didn't manage a run this morning at 4 as usual as I'd only got to bed at 3am however I've just done a pretty good distance on the bike.

Bit more exploring of my local countryside (I've only been here 9 months) and keep finding new bits to do.

25 miles today ... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/365404171

Might go for a run later or possibly on the treadmill depending on what the missus wants to do.

Cheers,
malty

[Brydo666]

Got out for my second run tonight, just under four miles. Will try and get out more this week.

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/236718267/4235729

[Goldberg]

16km this morning, knocking off the 4:30's now which I'm pleased about

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/365890975

[maltloaf]

Goldberg : your 405cx do you use the rubber strap or the fabric replacements ? The one I'm getting has the garmin fabric one with but I see you can get the original rubber strap for under £20. Wondering which is best ?

[Goldberg]

I use the rubber strap, I have always been tempted to put the fabric one on as it would fit better.
I don't like it too tight and it is a big difference between two of the holes on the strap.

I would say try the fabric first. One word of advice, 'lock' the bezel when your running as it is sensitive and might change the display if it gets wet or you touch it. You can customise the stats to display on the main 'page' so all good.

[maltloaf]

Felt rough at the start of the ride tonight. Really bad acid indigestion that didn't start to get better until about 7 miles. Still glad I went out tho. 16 miles.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/366154199

[maltloaf]

5km run this morning. Got my distance just about right now and my heart rate was right up towards it's max for most of it (170+) so I know I worked all the way round. 5k was at 33.10 so another small improvement and very happy with that.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/366402967

No sign of yesterday's acid feeling so happy about that.
Feel great and ready for the day.

Actually, just done the conversion and if my maths are correct it's 6.66 minutes per km. evil lol ! I'm off to listen to some Slayer :-)

Cheers,

malty

[maltloaf]

17 miles tonight and my best ever average speed. I've definitely shaken off the lead feeling in my legs after a run.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/366644020

Also, my Garmin 405CX from eBay arrived. I did a hard reset, charged it to about 80% and strapped it to the handlebars.

Took it round with me and it easily lasted the hour bike and afterwards reported 53% battery remaining so I'm a very happy boy. It'll easily last anything I'll be doing at the moment.

I was doubly happy when out of the jiffy slipped a heart rate monitor which wasn't listed on the auction, so now I have a spare.

Uploaded the ride off the watch just to compare. The 5 mins time difference is because I didn't pause it when I was waiting for the bridge over the canal to close (it opens for the narrow boats to pass).

Here it is for reference, I'm not cheating tho doubling up on my rides. I will delete this one soon.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/366641920

Very happy with it and it's all ready to go for my run Friday morning

cheers,

malty

[Goldberg]

I was going to suggest the full reset as it helped me once.

I posted an amazon link for the handle bar holder for it in this thread somewhere, works very well

[maltloaf]

Yea saw that but no need for it as I have the edge for cycling. Yesterday was just a battery life test which it passed with flying colours. I reckon it would run 3h+ of training time easily but I might still order a battery anyway for the sake of a tenner or so.

I gave the Garmin fabric band a good scrub last night and left it in the airing cupboard and it's come up like new. Very tempted to get the original rubber one tho (£20 from Amazon).

[Goldberg]

My 14km this morning.
The alarm woke me up, I set the house alarm off at 5:30 and I was shattered...

But I kept the 4:30+ right off!! Not sure how but I feel good now.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/366916310

[maltloaf]

Tonight's 17 miles, again off the 405CX as a further test of the battery, this time connected to both HRM and cadence/speed sensor.

All good and another mega average speed. There's nothing like spotting a cyclist in the distance to get the big gear turning ! :-)

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/367131496

cheers,

malty

[maltloaf]

Great 5k run this morning and another small but significant pb reduction.
It "felt" quicker and more powerful all the way round, if you understand what I'm saying.
5k came at 31m55s that's 6.41 min/km

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/367382427

brydo: got your connection request but your profile/activities seem to be set to private.

cheers,

malty

[Goldberg]

Great stuff, about to go on the bike trainer for 35 mins now.
17km I'm the morning tomorrow for me but Sunday I'm having off. I say off, I am decorating all weekend but its a recovery day from the running and cycling before I start again Monday

[maltloaf]

23 miles tonight. Hard going as 11 of the first 13 miles were against the wind !

Flying at the end though :-)

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/367611704