Let's Make a Bet (Announcing the B7: Banjo Brothers' Big Bad Bulky Biker Bodyfat Challenge)
And now the contest is over and it's time to report my Final Time Trial Results (for August):The short version is that I beat Fatty, 129 to 123, so he owes me a Fat Cyclist Jersey.
Unfortunately, I don't think my score will place me in the top three, so it looks like Ii won't win a Banjo Brothers Commuter Backpack. Read Fatty's review.
For the long version, read on...
Before Photos, 12/31/06, 178 lbs.:
After Photos, 8/1/07, 150.5 lbs.:
Weight Loss Score: 110 [Maximum Weight Loss Score Achieved!]
Time Trial Score: 19
DETAILS
Starting Weight: 178
Weight Loss Goal: 23
Current Weight: 150.5
First Time Trial: 11:40
Current Time Trial: 9:30
Body Fat: 11%
Weather: 88°F, Mostly Cloudy, Wind: NW at 6 mph, Humidity: 37%
NOTES
Last month after my July time trial, I wrote, "I am going to taper my training so I am at my peak for the TT. My wife, the acupuncturist, has been giving me weekly treatments and my persistent calf and hamstring problems of the last couple years seem to be all better. Finally, I am going to stay well below my goal weight the whole month of July (no snacking!), so I can eat healthy and be well hydrated for maximum TT strength and still score 110% on the weight. My goal is to break 10 minutes."
So I was shocked when I crossed the finish line in 9 minutes and 30 seconds. I had my doubts that I could meet my goal since my legs felt tired on the hills while warming up. Moreover, my back was still sore from weeding over the weekend. But I went all out and turned in a great time. This was my hardest exertion since my initial time trial back in January.
Tapering: I didn't really prepare intelligently in July for my August time trial. First I went on a week-long vacation, with no riding. Then I rode home from from vacation in Ithaca, NY to the Boston suburbs (197 miles the first day and 144 the second day). I spent the next couple days lying on the floor watching a week's worth of the Tour de France. Then I was in a 3-day midweek stage race, spent a couple more days not riding before doing two hard rides on the weekend. On the 21st, I rode 55 miles to watch my son play soccer; I was trying to average 20 mph, so it was an all out effort for over 2.5 hours. Then on the 22nd, I did a 68-mile ride which included two 1-mile uphill races against Jay (he won both). So by the last week of July my legs were totally shot. My "tapering" didn't start until the last week of July and consisted of riding easy to work and not riding at all the last weekend.
Injuries and treatment: The acupuncture treatment seems to have resolved the problems with my calves and hamstrings, but of course there are new injuries. My left hip and leg began aching on the second day of my 341-mile ride. With 70 miles to go, the pain was so bad that I could only creep along at about 10 mph. Ibuprofen and a 20-minute nap enabled me to limp the last 20 miles home. Acupuncture and rest seemed to cure the problem. But 5 days ago, I spent the morning weeding my garden instead of riding my bike. By the next day my back hurt so much I couldn't stand straight and groaned every time I stood up or sat down. Again acupuncture provided some relief (I even got a treatment today before my time trial) but my left leg feels weak, similar to the "pinched nerve" feeling I suffered during my long bike ride.
Nutrition and hydration: This almost went according to plan. My weight didn't get totally out of control during vacation, but I did splurge on banana boats, homemade caramel corn, and a chocolate eating binge on the last night before riding home from Ithaca. At home my weight was only 155, 5 pounds more than before vacation. But since I was doing long rides and racing, I decided to treat myself to seconds and thirds at meals and had a couple of GORP attacks before bed. (GORP stands for Good old Raisins And Peanuts, and sometimes chocolate chips.) A week after getting home from vacation my weight was up to 159 pounds, so I spent the remainder of the month eating veggies and fruit. Fortunately it worked and now my weight is back to just a bit over 150. I was able to have a couple of glasses of protein drink before my 20-mile warm-up ride today, and then drink two cups of my special pre-race energy drink (Starbucks dark roast with cream and two sugars) so that I was well hydrated and energized and could turn in my best time.
By the way, after my pre-TT warm up, I stopped in at Starbucks and the barrista said, "I'm sorry, but there is no way you are fat!" It took me awhile to figure out she was referring to my pink lemonade jersey with the Fat Cyclist logo.
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