Health, Heartrate, and Disappointment....

[Jon K.]

Sums it up right there!

First, my right hip and ankle have decided to act up a bit. Oddly, I only notice the pain (not severe, but noticeable) when I'm walking, and usually in the first couple of minutes after I stand up from my desk. When I'm on the bike (45 minutes 4x a week, usually in the 53x21 or 53x19 gear), they're fine.

Second, I still can't get my heart rate up over about 117 consistently. I'm afraid of moving to 53x17 gear, seeing as my hip and ankle are playing up, but I might need to in order to get my heart rate up into Zone 2. I wish I had a wind trainer with more resistance, so I could work my heart with lower gears.

Which leads me to the third point. My idea was to talk to my cardiologist's PA (I had an appointment for a checkup today) about the situation. I have an excess of of funds in my FSA account at work (for the first time ever, the company allowed us to roll over $600 from last year) and was hoping to use that excess to pay for a Kickr Core or a Saris H3 Plus wheel-off smart trainer. Usually the FSA admins/IRS don't allow funding of "general fitness equipment/situations" like exercise equipment or gym memberships (but they will pay for bandaids and stuff like that. Go figure.), though it's possible if a medical professional writes a convincing "letter of medical necessity" to justify why that specific item/equipment/regimen/medication is necessary for the specific case.

Unfortunately, the PA shot that idea down pretty quickly, saying "I don't think I'd be able to do that convincingly." So, I guess if I want a smart trainer, I'll have to fork over my own money.

Darn.

 

[JohnnyD]

I haven't read a more fitting title to a post in a very long time, nor have I before come to the same conclusion as you have for my own similar problems. I guess the old addage of "If you want something done right, do it yourself" rings true for us both.

 

[Jon K.]

I'm thinking that the heartrate issue may be tied in with gearing and cadence. I wonder if I should try shifting to a lower gear (say a 53x23 or a 39x17) and pedaling at a higher cadence. Last time I tried that, I was able to get my cadence up somewhere between 85-90. Probably need to invest in the cadence sensor and/or a smart trainer to get an exact number.

I may just look on the used market for a wheel-off trainer. There's a 3-year-old Wahoo Kickr posted on Craigslist here in Tulsa, and it's been up there for a month or so, so maybe the poster will come down off his asking price.

 

[Jon K.]

Back on the bike (on the trainer, still) after two weeks off fighting a cold. Back to 45 minute sessions four times a week, trying to get the heartrate up. Monday it was 112bpm average with a peak of 120; today's average was 111bpm with a peak of 119.

 

[black lightning 1987]

I would be interested to do even a short ride with a HRM. My rides these days are under 10 mile commuting, I'm always trying to get to the next stop and don't want to mess with anything beyond having enough air in the tires - sometimes don't even take the time for that.
After so long without monitoring, it would be interesting to see what it shows.

 

[Jon K.]

Well, as Roseanne Rosannadana from SNL often said, "It's always something!"

The trainer idea is going on the back burner for more urgent needs. My email & websurfing Mac Mini has up and decided that it does not want to connect to the internet. I'm using an old PC at the moment, but I don't like to keep everything on one machine (I don't know why that is, but I've done it for ages - a Mac for email and web, and a PC for anything I don't like to do or can't do on the Mac, like gaming).

I'm leaning toward a base-model M4 Mac Mini. Reasonably powerful, very small and relatively affordable.

I am still thinking about a chest-strap heartrate monitor and cadence and/or speed sensors.

 

[JohnnyD]

Well, as Roseanne Rosannadana from SNL often said, "It's always something!"

The trainer idea is going on the back burner for more urgent needs. My email & websurfing Mac Mini has up and decided that it does not want to connect to the internet. I'm using an old PC at the moment, but I don't like to keep everything on one machine (I don't know why that is, but I've done it for ages - a Mac for email and web, and a PC for anything I don't like to do or can't do on the Mac, like gaming).

I'm leaning toward a base-model M4 Mac Mini. Reasonably powerful, very small and relatively affordable.

I am still thinking about a chest-strap heartrate monitor and cadence and/or speed sensors.

While I have personal issues with Apple products, there isn't much to argue about the cost vs. performance of the M4 Mac Mini. Especially for something like e-mail and websurfing it's pretty much overkill.

 

[Jon K.]

While I have personal issues with Apple products, there isn't much to argue about the cost vs. performance of the M4 Mac Mini. Especially for something like e-mail and websurfing it's pretty much overkill.

Well, truth be told, I could probably get away with a Raspberry Pi 5 as an email and websurfing computer, though there are a few things I prefer doing on my Mac. The PC I have is mostly for casual gaming, running the BOINC client for the Einstein@Home distributed-computing project, and stuff that isn't easy to do on the Mac.

But I like Mac OS.

 

[JohnnyD]

Well, truth be told, I could probably get away with a Raspberry Pi 5 as an email and websurfing computer, though there are a few things I prefer doing on my Mac. The PC I have is mostly for casual gaming, running the BOINC client for the Einstein@Home distributed-computing project, and stuff that isn't easy to do on the Mac.

But I like Mac OS.

ewwww Mac OS...


says the guy who has an macbook air doing nothing on his desk

 

[Jon K.]

ewwww Mac OS...


says the guy who has an macbook air doing nothing on his desk.

Oh, they're all tools. Like any tool, each does things better than other tools.

Been a programmer for more than half my life now. Started out with FORTRAN on minicomputers, then on PCs, then C and C++, then SAP, then Business Basic and Python, with a bit of shell scripting and SQL tossed in. No Mac programming professionally, but plenty on minicomputers, under DOS and Windows onPCs, Unix & Linux-based servers, etc. Even dabbled a bit in iOS and Android app development.

Not saying that to brag, just to show that I am not wedded to any of them.

 

[JohnnyD]

Oh, they're all tools. Like any tool, each does things better than other tools.

Been a programmer for more than half my life now. Started out with FORTRAN on minicomputers, then on PCs, then C and C++, then SAP, then Business Basic and Python, with a bit of shell scripting and SQL tossed in. No Mac programming professionally, but plenty on minicomputers, under DOS and Windows onPCs, Unix & Linux-based servers, etc. Even dabbled a bit in iOS and Android app development.

Not saying that to brag, just to show that I am not wedded to any of them.

I will take solace in the fact you have actual knowledge in programming, unlike the jokers who I feel are cheating using Ai to program for them. Nothing beat standing on the shoulders of others and telling the world you did something.

 

[Jon K.]

Back to cycling-related stuff.

62 minutes on the indoor trainer tonight. I decided it was going to be a cadence session, so dropped down into the 39x17 gear and tried to maintain a hugher-than-usual cadence. Pushed the heartrate up to a max of 116, and averaged 107 for the whole hour.

As soon as I figure out what to do about the computer stuff, I'm going to order a chest-strap heart monitor and a cadence sensor.

 

[Jon K.]

Email computer situation resolved. I did buy a base model Mac Mini with the M4 Apple Silicon system-on-a-chip. Works well enough for what I use it for.

I found a cheap ($75) Wahoo Kickr Snap wheel-on trainer on Craigslist; I've had contact with the seller. Only problem is, it is in Allen, TX, some 225 miles from where I am. It's not an awful drive, probably 3 1/2 hours down Highway 75, but finding the time to drive down and fetch it is a problem. I'm going to reach out to the seller again, tell him I'll buy it and if he wants me to pay via Venmo or Paypal or something to hold it 'til I can make the drive, I can do that.

There's one posted locally, but the seller is sticking to a price that's significantly higher than the one in Allen, and it appears that Wahoo has discontinued the Snap (it isn't shown on their website). For a while they were selling new ones (or maybe refurbs) for $200.

Oh, and four sessions on the 'dumb' trainer this week, totaling 265 minutes. I guess I could have pushed on for another five minutes tonight to make it a round 270 (aka 4 1/2 hours), but I was thirsty and hungry....

 

[Jon K.]

No joy on the Kickr Snap. Exchanged texts with the seller. He seemed amenable, but then Tuesday night the post on Craigslist disappeared, so I assume he sold it locally. I'm not upset; it just makes more sense that way.

*Then* (I should never look at Craigslist ever again) I saw someone over in Springfield, MO selling a whole ensemble - Wahoo Kickr wheel-off trainer, Climb device that lifts and lowers the front in response to the slope from the software, a headwind fan that can vary the airflow based on the forward speed in the simulation, a mat to keep sweat off the floor, an adjustable table for holding your computer, drinks, etc. during a training session, maybe even a Wahoo-branded heartrate chest strap monitor.

I can feel my price resistance weakening as I type this.... ;-)

 

[rickpaulos]

You might consider a "Pulse Oximeter". This is a small electronic device that clips on the finger that reports your pulse and your blood oxygen saturation level. They run about $40. Note they make kid size too so don't get that by mistake if you have big fingers. Oxygen in the blood is what keeps us going. A high number is good. I usually see 98% when resting. I keep in on the night stand so I can check my numbers in the am. And it moves to the exerciser in the winter when I ride that. I got one for my mother who had heart attack in june. She checks her numbers daily, along with her weight and blood pressure. Low o2 numbers can be caused by heart/lung issues or sickness or intense exercise where your heart just can't keep up with the demand. It won't work for constant reporting on an outdoor ride but in the house it does well.

I have a chest strap heart rate monitor that I dug out and used on Ragbrai this year. I was able to get up to and sustain 145 - 150 if I snuck up on it. Down from my racing years by a bunch. Trying to go hard from the gun shows my own heart can't keep up with rapid acceleration. I had my own heart attack in 2010 and got a heart rate monitor then, and later on another, and another. I wore them at the health club for years until I decided all those shared germs were making me sick every winter. Back to the home exerciser despite the insurance covering the gym costs. Polar brand batteries are sealed up inside and don't last. The polar chest strap was compatible with the commercial gym equipment like the treadmills and exercise bikes and rowing machines so the numbers would get displayed on the equipment screens. I have a Timex chest strap with watch that is still working after 10 years.

If money is not an issue, there are new devices that monitor your EKG signals in real time and try to interpret them. Some pair up with your smart phone for recording/interpretation/reporting, etc. Good for people with afib (unsteady heart rates). One friend has a pace maker with afib detection and a built in shocker. It went off one day (no warning) and nearly laid him out. good thing he wasn't riding or driving at the moment, just standing in his shop. His opinion was it was a false alarm. ZAP!!!

 

[Jon K.]

You might consider a "Pulse Oximeter". This is a small electronic device that clips on the finger that reports your pulse and your blood oxygen saturation level. They run about $40. Note they make kid size too so don't get that by mistake if you have big fingers. Oxygen in the blood is what keeps us going. A high number is good. I usually see 98% when resting. I keep in on the night stand so I can check my numbers in the am. And it moves to the exerciser in the winter when I ride that. I got one for my mother who had heart attack in june. She checks her numbers daily, along with her weight and blood pressure. Low o2 numbers can be caused by heart/lung issues or sickness or intense exercise where your heart just can't keep up with the demand. It won't work for constant reporting on an outdoor ride but in the house it does well.

I have the blood oxygen and heartrate covered with the Apple Watch. I'll probably get a chest strap monitor sometime. Been dealing with some other RL stuff lately. I hate plumbing...

I have a chest strap heart rate monitor that I dug out and used on Ragbrai this year. I was able to get up to and sustain 145 - 150 if I snuck up on it. Down from my racing years by a bunch. Trying to go hard from the gun shows my own heart can't keep up with rapid acceleration. I had my own heart attack in 2010 and got a heart rate monitor then, and later on another, and another. I wore them at the health club for years until I decided all those shared germs were making me sick every winter. Back to the home exerciser despite the insurance covering the gym costs. Polar brand batteries are sealed up inside and don't last. The polar chest strap was compatible with the commercial gym equipment like the treadmills and exercise bikes and rowing machines so the numbers would get displayed on the equipment screens. I have a Timex chest strap with watch that is still working after 10 years.

I wish. I don't know if it's my legs not catching up with my heart and lungs or if I'm just not pushing hard enough, but I rarely get my heart rate over 120, and that only happens briefly if I decide to tack on a couple of 4-minute intervals at the end of a ride (1 minute rest standing on pedals to let my heart rate drop, then four minutes of harder effort to try and get the heartrate up to or over what it was before the rest). Maybe I just don't like to suffer. ;-)

One hour tonight, in the 39x15 gear. I tried to see if I could rest my butt by shifting into the big ring and standing on the pedals, but I really can't - I can't clear the saddle and when I move forward, I feel like I'm hanging over the front wheel and my cadence goes to heck. Not that I'm a high-cadence pedaler anyway.

Oh, I did get a couple more pairs of shorts so I don't have to wash them so often or wear them four sessions without washing. One pair of https://theblackbibs.com/collections/mens-bottoms/products/the-black-bibs-short-inseam and one of https://theblackbibs.com/collections/mens-bottoms/products/the-black-bibs-ultimate-short-inseam. So far, so good.

I did pick up a tube of Chamois Butt'r at the local shop 'cause I was noticing a little extra rubbing in the inner thigh area.

 

[Jon K.]

Update:

Finally worked up to one hour, ten minutes on the trainer. Felt okay on Monday, but Tuesday was torture. I felt an ache in my right hamstring just above the knee, but it never got worse.

Rest day yesterday, tried to make sure I was hydrating. I felt okay, but didn't sleep well last night. I was contemplating taking another rest day, but when I got home, I decided to get on the trainer for 45 minutes to see how I'd feel.

Oddly enough, I felt pretty good. I'd done some time in the 39x14 gear Tuesday and just left it there, so that's what I started out in. It felt fairly easy, so I had to look to see if I'd engaged the roller that drives the fans. I had, so I just continued on in 39x14 for about 12-15 minutes, then "cross-chained" into the 39x13 (smallest cog on the 8-speed cluster) and just turned the pedals over for 25 minutes or so at a mid-70s cadence (which is about my normal). Went back to 39x14 to cool off four the last five minutes or so.

The new bibs are pretty good. I actually like the lower-priced pair (about US$40) a little better. The short inseam fits me well.

 

[Jon K.]

Latest, plus a picture. I pushed a bit much week before last - five sessions, three of one hour 15 minutes, one of 30 minutes and one of 45 minutes (the last two on Saturday), in mostly 39x14. I felt really bad after that, backed it down to 45 minutes on the Monday and Tuesday of the next week, then took a few extra days off to let my back and hips recuperate.

Four sessions of 45 minutes this week, all in 39x15 at a bit higher cadence. Heart rate not way up, but still getting it over 100 bpm easily. THEN, this happened (see picture) halfway through today's 45 minutes. Thankfully not a major bleed, just some leakage from right nostril, but still....