SPORTFIT LAB

Beth and I participated in the Culpeper VA century ride last weekend.  It was a beautiful day for cycling, with over 100 riders participating in one of three courses: 21, 65, or 101 miles.  We set out to complete the 101-mile loop, but managed to get completely lost by accidentally following some 21-mile riders.  We weren't aware of our mistake until almost finishing the 21-mile loop!  At that point, we realized that our only viable option was to return to home base - downtown Culpeper - and start on the 65-mile loop.  With generous support from the local volunteers, we thus completed two of the courses - plus some extra "wrong turn" miles - mostly on our own.  With some challenging hills, we felt good completing our longest-ever ride (91 miles) at just under 17 mi./hr.

We feel we have now invented a new kind of century ride: not the classic century, nor the "metric" century - the DYSLEXIC CENTURY!

Wow - an abject lesson today in the importance of proper fit - and re-checking that fit!  Recently, when riding my trusty Cervelo Soloist, I had noticed increasing quadriceps (front thigh) strain, and even some knee pain after my rides.  These are not things I normally experience.  Last ride, I had the feeling my seat might be sitting a bit too low, causing that strain.

Today - with a 50-mile ride scheduled - I measured my seat height before riding.  Sure enough the Seat-to-Bottom Bracket measurement [a standard fitting dimension] was a full INCH below its ideal location!  I was stunned because:

- I hadn't deliberately lowered my seat anytime recently.

- Even an experienced rider like me didn't pick up the extent of the deviation while riding.

After raising my seat post to its proper location, I mounted the bike and felt almost immediate relief from leg strain and knee pain.  50 miles went by without a hitch...which leads me to today's 2 big lessons:

1. EVEN A SEEMINGLY SMALL DEVIATION IN POSITION CAN LEAD TO FATIGUE, PAIN, AND EVEN INJURIES.

2. ONCE YOU'VE BEEN PROPERLY FITTED, CHECK YOUR SETUP PERIODICALLY TO MAKE SURE NOTHING HAS SHIFTED OUT OF PLACE.  It's probable my seat post had slipped down without my noticing.

Please comment or ask questions here.  Feel free to discuss the research update, or ask questions about your training program, sports progress, injuries, etc.  Our goal is to advance the science of training, helping to improve performance and reduce injuries, while always remembering the role of sports and fitness in our lives.  Here we go!