Fun Endurance

Gadgets, Apps and Services for Endurance Sports

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Chamois Butt’r

I noticed that many skin lubricant products are big in Hawaii in the last month. I found them at the Maui Marathon Expo, a running store and a bike store.

I purchased small packs of Chamois Butt'r for my sister and her husband.

The volume of each pack is 9 ml. That is small enough to carry. It is also useful for trial. I would try those products several times to make sure it does not contain allergens and fits my body. In addition, I hesitate to throw a large amount of chemical gel.

After listening to the opinion by my sister's husband, I may purchase a larger tube.

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Nuun

I visited Hawaii last month and found Nuun - tablets for hydrate solution - in many places such as Runners Route and Island Triathlon & Bike.

In addition to for myself, I bought some extra for my mother, my sister and her husband (they are triathletes, too) as a little souvenir. Nuun packages are small enough to put into my luggage.

It is not powder, but tablets. I won't spill it around when I make a solution in a hurry or at a race site.

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Magnetic Bottle Case

A friend of mine races full marathon and half marathon. Sometimes in winter, sometimes in summer. She want to have bottle during race in summer, but she does not in winter.

Buddy Pouch H2O is a bottle case with magnetic clip. She is happy now because she can clip it on her hip bag belt in summer.

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TrainingPeaks Annual Training Plan Generator

TrainingPeaks has an Annual Training Plan generator in addition to coaching match service and selling ready-made training plans. I tried the generator to determine if it can be MY ASICS alternative for triathlon.

The generator asked me the date range, recovery cycle, training hours I can spend per week and race event schedule. Then it generates my annual plan.

The plan contains only time to spend each week. That is the simple version of the plans generated by Beginner Triathlete. It is nice to see a big picture. I can modify the plan, of course.

Depending on a period, I need to balance between training quantity and intensity, however, it does not tell me much about it. The event schedule that I input did not seem to be taken into account.

Well, it is free of charge. If I need more, I would have a contract with a coach.

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TrainingPeaks - matching coach and athlete

TrainingPeaks provides the service to match coach and athlete, as well as training logging app and training plans.

Is it possible to find a well matched coach in TrainingPeaks?  I care about the following things.

1. Training style: I recently believe in “faster, then further” approach than the opposite. Unless I am terribly wrong, I would prefer the same approach by a coach. 

2. Target: I have specific distance and time in my mind. Unless I am ridiculously ambitious, I would prefer heading to the target.

3. Budget: I don't want to either pay too much or too less.

TrainingPeaks has the questionnaire to find the best coach. The questions are well organized, realistic and containing what I care about. They ask personal profile such as gender, age, language, etc.  They also ask sport, event, budget, etc. in mind.  They also ask if I have a heart rate monitor and/or power meter? 

They, of course, ask your level, but the options are interesting. In addition to Beginner, Intermediate and Elite, you can pick "Not quite beginner but still learning".  Yes! That is exactly what I am! 

Another interesting questions are "How important is it that your coach also be your cheerleader?" and "How important is it that your coach be data-driven and open to conversations with you regarding your device files?".   

Some people get motivation from their coach. Other athletes prefer their coaches to be more data-driven and scientifically. Coaches can be both, but this question is gauging how much more support and motivation you 'need' from your coach. 

I did not think about it before. However, that sounds very important aspect to determine the coaching style. 

I filled the questionnaire.  The system did not give me the suggestion right away.  I guess the system asks the coaches who want to do it.  I am looking forward to the suggestions from TrainingPeaks.

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Bontrager Node 1.1 - as extra biometric display

My last idea about GPS watch, in bike exercise and bike portion during a triathlon race, is to have a extra cycle computer.

If I try to have a GPS watch on the handlebar during cycling and on my wrist during running, the largest risk (which occurred once in my life) is leaving the watch on the bike when I transit to run. Keeping it on the wrist is safer in a race, but it sacrifices visibility, very little though.

Bontrager Node 1.1 is an affordable model of wireless cycle computers. It connects to ANT+ sensors for heart rate, cadence, speed and power. It displays the current values of the sensors. That is fine, because all history data are stored in a GPS watch on the wrist.

The extra cycle computer seems perfect solution. It guarantees high visibility and operability. No worry to miss a watch while running.

The only issue is that it costs $69.99. However, remember that Garmin Quick Release Kit (accessory to mount GPS watch both on the wrist and handlebar) is about $48.

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Garmin Forerunner Bicycle Mount Kit + Profile Design Computer Mount

The combination of Garmin Forerunner Bicycle Mount Kit and Profile Design, Computer Mount may help me carry a GPS watch while cycling.

I am working on how to carry my GPS watch while I exercise bike and while I ride in triathlon races. Today's idea is mounting it on my handle bar while exercising and wearing on my wrist while racing.

Garmin Forerunner Bicycle Mount Kit makes a handle bar ware a watch. The watch will be visible and operable. It is that simple. No gimmick.

During a race, I would wear my watch on my wrist. It is less visible, but acceptable. I would never have to worry about leaving it on my bike when transiting to run.

My handle bar, however, does not have such a space. Pads occupies horizontal part. Even if I mount a watch, I could not see it. That is even worse than wearing on wrist.

Profile Design Universal Computer Mount may solve the problem. It is a short bar that is easily attached perpendicularly to an aero bar without tools.

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Garmin 910XT Quick Release Kit

I started considering how to carry a GPS watch while triathlon races and trainings. First option that I take a look is Garmin Quick Release Kit.

Garmin ForeRunner 910XT is a GPS watch with biometric sensor display.

Its visibility and operability is not good during a bike workout and bike part in triathlon races. It is big and can face only on palm side or back of hands. Right fingers touch the device on the left write. This is unnatural and safe.

It would be a good idea to mount it on a handle bar for safety, visibility and operability.

Garmin sells ForeRunner 910XT Quick Release Kit.  You attach an adapter on the backside of 910XT. You also attach the corresponded adapter on a wrist band and a handle bar. Twisting 910XT removes it from a band or bar quickly. You can mount it quickly in the similar manner.

This configuration allows to stare the watch while riding on roller trainer. It is visible when you race, too. Operating is easy and safe because it is on handle bar.

Only one issue. I need to take the watch away from a bike and mount it on wrist band, when I transit bike to run in a triathlon race. I had an experience, long long time ago, that I forget to take it away and ran without knowing my heart rate.

I will look at other options.

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iVUE Horizon and Crossfire - record what you see with glasses

iVUE action cameras, embedded in sunglasses, allow you to record what you see while you are racing.

iVUE Horizon 1080P Camera Glasses - Sample Footage from Teton Webstores on Vimeo.

GoPro cameras look a little too large for me to take a movie while racing. It is because a camera is an unnecessary extra device for the race.

I googled for cameras and found iVUE. They sell action cameras embedded sunglasses. Cameras are about 23g. No distraction.

iVUE has two models called Crossfire and Horizon.

Crossfire supports 720P, SD cards up to 32GB. Frame rates are not clear, but should be either 30/60fps. iVUE claims you can take 15 min movie per GB, that is 8 Hours with 32GB. It can cover a marathon race.

Horizon supports 1080P with 30fps, 720P with 60fps and time-lapse.

Battery life can be an issue. Crossfire lasts 1.5-2 hours, and Horizon lasts 1 hour. They cannot live in a marathon race. Crossfire could live for bike and run parts in a 51.5km triathlon.

Crossfire would run with charging. iVUE's online store have battery packs. A pack has 4-full-charge capacity. Crossfire with a pack can run 7.5-10H. However, the packs are sold out. I assume ordinary external battery should work, too.

Another concern is water-resistance. iVUE cameras are weatherproof, but the manual reads "not completely waterproof". Recon Jet has a trouble with sweat, so I am afraid that the same issue could apply to iVUE glasses.

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Share your location with lololololocation

lololololocation is an instant way to share your location with spectators while you are racing.

Although there are various apps to share your racing location with others, it is still tedious and has some concerns. Services like Strava and Recon Engage share your location only with your friends in the services. RaceJoy requires other people install the app. RunKeeper can publish your location, but you need to configure your activity to public which might not be your default setting.

The issue is how to share my location while racing "instantly"?

lololololocation is an iOS and Android app to share your current location instantly, and it can be used while racing.

To share athlete's location, he/she launches the app, taps to start sharing and select how to share.

One can tweet to publish, email to a few friends or post to Facebook to share in a small group.

Spectators receive a URL, tap it and see the current location in a web browser. No subscription is required. No app needs to be installed.

Note that lololololocation shares only locations. Speed, biometrics or streaks are not shared at all. If you run this app AND other tracking app, your phone consumes more battery life.

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Beginner Triathlete training plan preview

Ready-made training plans usually provide Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced options. What if you are getting into Intermediate but just not ready to leave Beginner? You may want a little more customization.

Beginner Triathlete generates your training plan based on your current fitness level and goal.

You input following data:

Target race distance and date

Start date of training

Level and your race times

Frequency of trainings

etc.

The service generates...

Distance and time each day

You have recovery week every 2 or 3 weeks

It has some restrictions such as your training must start on Sun, your running time must be slower than 5'30/km, etc.

If you join GOLD member, you will receive training details. The price is $130/year. I haven't tried it yet.

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Maui Marathon course view

Last month, I published a course view web site for Nakajima Triathlon. I have just modified it for Maui Marathon.

What's new:

Maui Marathon course

Course map in addition to street view

The race day comes within 2 weeks. I watch this every day to uplift myself.

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TrainingPeaks Training Plans preview

The training plans provided by Rockstar Triathlete Academy are sold in TrainingPeaks that seems to sell a lot of other training plans. I wondered if I can find the training plan that fits me the best.

They have 377 training planss for Olympic distance triathlons as of Sep 2015. The price varies from $5 to $400. Support policy depends on plan. Some plan requires additional fee for online supports.

To be honest, it is hard to find one that fits me. Some training plans are not for whole triathlon training but only single sport such as "Swim for Triathlon". I think it is nice service if I already know a coach I purchase a plan from. After all, TrainingPeaks is a matching service for athletes and coaches.

TrainingPeaks works as an e-commerce platform for training plans, rather than online shopping site.

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Objem update: more activity types

I updated Objem.  What's new in this version

Added Virtual Ride and E-Bike Ride to activity type fields

Fixed the issue that changing activity type causes error

Objem is a web service that allows you to update your multiple Strava activities at once. 

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Strava supports Virtual Ride activities

Yesterday, I got a feedback, in Strava's discussion forum, that he wants to set Virtual Ride to activities. I had no idea what it is. I quickly checked it out and found it is a useful feature.

Training with a virtual trainer means that you physically (1) stay at a place AND (2) experience load level sequence of an actual course.

If you simply "Ride" in Strava, your activity is recorded as you move on actual course using GPS data, which are not available through your smartphone. On the other hand, if you ride with stationary bike in Strava, your activity is recorded as you stay at a place without the course information. Neither treats your virtual training activities correctly.

Strava has "Virtual Ride" activity type, in addition to "Ride".

When you choose Virtual Ride, Starva stores your activity more correctly. It is different from riding on a an actual course, but you can compare between your virtual ride activities to see your progress.

I am going to add Virtual Ride activity to Objem - Bulk Updater for Strava. It should be simple.

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Garmin Connect Training Plan preview

As my journey to seek triathlon training plan, I took a look at Garmin Connect. If you have a Garmin device, you will get more out of it.

Garmin Connect -- a web service that stores activities measured by Garmin devices -- provides training plans. I have a Garmin ForeAthelete 910XT and use the service.

For triathlon, they have Sprint and Olympic plans. Both for 12 weeks, 4-5 workouts per week. You can choose from two levels; beginner and intermediate. The training milage looks slightly larger than Endurance Nation and Rockstar Triathlete Academy.

You can also choose “Training by None” and “Heart Rate”. If you choose "None", you will see something like "Easy" or "Moderate". If you choose "Heart Rate", you will see something like "Zone 1" or "Zone 5". Endurance Nation and Rockstar Triathlon Academy are also based on zones.

Why Garmin Connect explicitly separate None from Heart Rate? It is visible when you transfer data to your device.

Every workout detail page has "Send to device" link. You follow the link and end up with the workout is visible in your device by selecting Training > Workouts > Custom. If you have a heart rate monitor, the device alerts when your heart rate is out of the target range.

Workouts can be created manually. Thus, "Send to Device" feature can be used with training plans purchased outside Garmin Connect, if you don't mind inputting manually.

Garmin Connect training plans are free of charge. Their plans are detailed. Your rest day is not necessarily on a fixed day. There is no Q&A support on training details.

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Rockstar Triathlete Academy Training Plan preview

 I continue my journey to find the training plan that fits me. In this post, I preview Rockstar Triathlete Academy http://www.rockstartriathlete.com/. What is the same and different between Rockstar Triathlete Academy's plan and Endurance Nation's plan?

Rockstar Triathlete Academy sells their plans in Training Peaks (http://home.trainingpeaks.com/products/trainingplans/affiliates/ben-greenfield-fitness/rock-star-triathlon-academy-training-plans). You can take advantage of TrainingPeaks benefits such as logging activities, availability of web and smartphone app, etc.

The first few sessions are to measure the current capability. For example, to swim in a good effort several times to determine T-Pace and to measure the lactate threshold to determine heart rate zones. That is great, because you need to be able to measure something in order to improve.

They claims that they focus on short races, while Endurance Nation focuses on long races. Endurance Nation recently supports short events, too, though. Both Rockstar Triathlete Academy and Endurance Nation emphasizes quality over junk miles.

The price of the 20-week Olympic distance training plan is $109. If you become a lifetime member for $97, you can access all 12 plans; (sprint, Olympic, 70.3, Ironman) x (beginner, intermediate, advanced). The membership seems to include access to forum and Q&A sessions.

The Q&A sessions may not be attractive to me, because my time zone is 10-hour different from US.

Unlike Endurance Nation's plan, Rockstar's plans seem to stay there for a while without updates. The price and packages are not very clear to me. In there short tutorial video, they mention $37/month tuition, however, I cannot find about the price anywhere on their website. I am not sure how much actually I need to pay to get some help on the plan; $97 lifetime is sufficient or $37/month is required.

By the way, forum and community might be a great differentiator. I have not been in any community, but I might consider it later.