Lard_Vader Member

I'd like to get in if not too late.

I never get sick. In fact, it's probably been about 5+ years since I have been to my family doctor. I get annual blood & lab work done and usually my health is off charts (so much they usually don't know how to respond to my condition). I attribute my health to my diet and training. I think both compliment each other. I…

Project Management in the survey & civil domain. I work 40-50 hours a week. I do most of my runs/training pre-dawn (I'm usually out for 4am). I can usually get as much as 12 mile runs on weekdays and save my long, 20+ runs for the weekend. I find it's pretty easy to get 60-70 miles per week on this schedule. I used to ride…

I used to wear compression shorts under my shorts (with liner) but I found I'd get rubbage on my "man parts." So I went back to commando and I apply a bit of Vaseline in this area to avoid any rubbing, etc. FYI I've been putting in 70-mile weeks in the humid Louisiana swamps, I doubt many places compare to our conditions.

Nashville Ultra.

Totally. Gone are the days where I craved french fries and pizza. Even the smell of such things almost nauseates me. Even on plant based my taste buds continue to change. I think it's more about adaptability and availability. I do find eating raw is overall more efficient to the body’s need to run efficiently (in my case…

I'm following the 70-mile per week training plan in that book for my first 50-miler race in Nov. I follow the plan pretty closely, although sometimes I might miss my target miles for the week by a few (similarly I go over sometimes as well). I'd say it's most important to hit your target for your mileage on long runs (and…

This. Just the thought of cheese, coffee, and wine to me is awful (coffee on rare occasions, I guess). This isn't HS peer pressure, if your friends respect you they'll let you eat whatever and hopefully will be supportive and willing try new things.

If you run enough you won't have time to overeat. At present I'm running 60-70 miles a week, I couldn't overeat if I tried. In fact, I don't have much of an appetite most of the time. I assume this is partially because I feed myself enough proper food accordingly (especially during runs and staying constantly hydrated in…

Well my weekly mileage is in the mid-60s at the moment. It won't get much more than that, except a few longer runs. In any case, when those cool fronts start arriving I hope it will give me an instant boost after the battle of summer. I've been following long runs with another run (10 or so). I'm pretty worthless on those…

This. I'm running a lot of 20+ milers in training for my first ultra. My running partner is training for Boston and he also runs a lot of 20+ (in fact he's planning on running a 30-miler with me soon). I'm against the idea of not running long runs before events, you should train your body to get used to hours it will be…

I've been feeling over-trained lately. High mileage in sub-tropical summer conditions don't mix well. I figure it's peak summer for just a few more weeks (hopefully) so if I can get through it, I should set sail in the (cooler) weeks to come. My ultra isn't until Nov. 1st (and in Nashville) so it should be ideal. In any…

Predawn? I run pre-predawn. Can't say it's any cooler at 4am down here, but at least the traffic is light... I wear a lot of lights. 1) headband 3-LED white lamp with rear red blinky, 2) I wear hat visor LED lights on my shoes (one on each clipped to my laces). One is red and the other is blue. 3) I use a high-powered…

Yeah, sometimes I don't think Strava properly accounts for calories--TBY has written about this in other threads. I liked Chris Horner's comments about gaining weight during the tour from eating too much. I would have thought the opposite. Of course his example was drinking 6 cokes and lots of snicker bars. ;-)

To those riders that b*tched about the cobblestone stage (e.g., Van Garderen), I'd be curious to hear the new complains to riding in the rain... Just goes to show you anything can happen in the Tour. It's certainly keeping things exciting this year and IMO the podium is wide-open this year (i.e. no favorites as much as…

Do I believe it is still happening in cycling today? Yeah, probably so (and same goes for practically any sport, really). However, I don't think it is as wide-spread in cycling as it used to be. IMO I would be surprised to learn teams like Sky and BMC had any doping whatsoever. I could be wrong, but the impression I get…

I can't stand the belts either. I use the CamelBak Dart for longer runs (over 10). Less than 10 (and on hot days) I use a Amphipod Hydraform Handheld 20oz. I wasn't sure if I'd like it at first but I have gotten used to it. I never run with water, always some electrolyte mix (usually Vega Sport). If I run out or have to…

I'm at about 60 mpw currently. I couldn't see going down to 65%, but I'm 100% plant based. Last year I cycled nearly 10,000 miles for the year (200-300 miles per week). I'm currently training for an ultra to mix things up a bit. If lower carb % works for some people, keep it up. I'm on the CTFU train and it keeps me at a…

I can careless what you call me as long as you don't run me over with your car.

No. I run usually at 4am to beat the heat. I couldn't think about eating before my runs that early. Honestly, I've always ran on a empty stomach--I don't quite understand eating before. For my cycling training, I've eaten before long distances, but it's more sustainability of 5+ hours in the saddle. However, I'm training…

I find the Fizik saddles are a touch above the rest. I like their ideas on flexibility catered to fit. I use the Antares. Previously I used a San Marco SKN saddle (discontinued). I put about 10k miles on it, but finally succombed to the fizik. My butt is "boney" and while I don't need a super cushy saddle, the thinner ones…

Lately it's been some variation of pita or tortilla vegan burrito--although not as much as you would think of traditional burrito. More like beans, potatoes, hummus, and maybe a touch of salsa. I usually experiment with whatever I have at the time. I wouldn't say I eat more than usual, just make sure it's well rounded and…

I used to bike to work a lot more when I was in another building that had a shower. It's impossible to not ride and sweat here in the swamp. So I usually stick to commuting in the cooler months.

I'd say whatever you are into. I'm not going to recommend cycling to everyone if it's something you don't enjoy. If time is a restraint, running will burn more calories in less time. I suppose HIIT would do the same. All depends on the person really. Got me curious on the "new piercing"...? ;-)

As for elite athletes, perhaps I am bias but I tend to know more of the best that are vegan than not (especially in the world of ultra-runnning). Here are a few--Carl Lewis, Scott Jurek, Michael Arnstein, Byron Powell, Rich Roll, Vlad Ixel, and Fiona Oakes.

Actually eating vegan costs much less than eating a meat diet, if you are smart about it. Also, I do very little cooking at all--eating plant based is super easy and true "fast food." The only time I need 4,000 calories a day is when I am cycling over 400 miles a week. Currently I am running 50+ and keep it about…

Rich Roll. He covers everything from diet, training, and more. The best podcast out there IMO.

Correction to the GatorSkin suggestion--use Hardshell! There is notable difference in the sidewall (and not much more weight). I put over 8k miles on my previous set. I run these on my road and gravel bike. IMO you won't find a better tire per price.

I've left my bike unlocked & unattended on several occasions in metro New Orleans (crime capital) to the swamp by roads. I never had a problem nor thought I would. I think most crooks would not be interested in doing "work" to make off on a bike. Of course larger cities like NYC there is a unique problem (even to those…

It mixes very well. A slew of others I follow have made the switch to PlantFusion and we are always comparing notes on favorite flavors. The unflavored works well, but I prefer these (in order of fav): chocolate, cookies-n-cream, vanilla bean. The later are a bit too sweet for me, but depending on what you mix it with it…