Nike Alphaflys - Mega Run Shoes

 A while back I bagged the Nike Tempo Next % from the Nike Outlet store at a deal price of £80. Expensive for sure but actually a decent price for these shoes considered to be the training version of the Nike Alphafly Next%. My runs in the Tempo version have shown that these are on another level when it comes to carbon plated bounce energy return in run shoes. But the race version Alphafly are lighter and supposedly even more energy return. So I found a deal and the pic above shows my new super shoes. And they do really feel incredibly bouncy. I’ve ran a couple of times in these; some strides with easy before and after. It is so easy to run at 4:30 per k pace. I’m quite excited to see how much faster I run with these shoes. Of course, it will be difficult to gauge if I’m actually running faster but I have no doubt that there will be an advantage wearing these shoes. 

On the subject of new kit, wiggle had a flash DHB sale and this aero lid was a real bargain at £30. It is very comfy and accommodates sunnies better than any other helmet I have. 

Another training month ends as November approaches. It’s still really mild and I managed another outdoor ride. But the main focus remains strength and I have taken the plunge to join the local gym to take the strength work to the next level. The JD Gym is great and the first session yesterday proved what massive potential there is to increase my strength. Compound exercises like squats and deadlifts are now possible. Excited for the race season in 2023. 

Hibernate but Don’t Stagnate

 Nearly November and the way time flies by as we get older is kind of scary. I just looked for some photos from 2017 to get some before and after shots of my evo2max bike. I got this bike new in 2017 and have just had the cockpit (bike lingo for handlebars etc) changed following the discovery of a potential crack in the carbon. I got a couple of pics from a blog post in 2017. I also read some posts from 2017 relating to my focus on conditioning and how important it is for us older folks. Here I am in 2022 advocating the same thing - but 5 years older! I was using the local gym back then and actually doing ok for compound exercises like cleans, squats and deadlifts. Recently I’ve been in my garage using kettlebells and sand bags. I’m fact I’ve completed a decent 2 months of conditioning and have felt like getting back to the Olympic bars by joint the local gym. More on this in the next few weeks I think. 

So what if the evo2max cockpit change? Here’s the before from 2017. Not great pics but all I could find.

 I really like this bike as my aero specific ride. Yes, I am extremely fortunate to have a TT bike and another road bike; both SRAM AXS mega bikes. If my plan to race some draft legal Duathlons in 2023 happens, it will be the evo2max used as the race option. So here is the afyer cockpit version. 

The original bars were integrated stem version and 42cm wide. The new ones are 38cm with separate stem.  I really like this set up. It’s compact and definitely more aero.  Report on how it rides soon! 

 

Winter is Coming

 The days are shorter and the temperature is dropping. I’m not a fan of winter - I like the sunshine. But this time of year is good for regrouping. I’ve constantly felt like I’m regrouping though and would really like to see some good results next year. But results from what? Well I’ve had an idea. The last few years . . Or decade actually. . . I’ve gone long with my racing. But long distance events are expensive and draining on time when training. I discovered what May be just a cosmetic scratch on the handlebars of my evo2max bike. 

So I thought I’d play it safe and replace the front end cockpit. This lead me to think why don’t I try some draft legal sprint Duathlon racing?! Nice thought and quite motivated by this plan. I just need to stay healthy! The Darley Moor 2023 sprint Duathlon is draft legal and a 2024 European Age Group qualifier. Plus the event is in May, which will be warmer (I hate the cold and many Duathlons are held in early or late year). So game on👊

The evo2max is in getting pimped now, with these goodies:

 I have often been frustrated that the supplies integral bars on this bike couldn’t accommodate clip in aero bars. This should be possible now but I’ll wait to see how the draft legal racing goes before trying to add aero bars. Clip ons nit permitted for this category of racing. But these new bars and stem should be great as the bars are narrower  - aero rules 😎. 

Training lately has been more of the conditioning focus with treadmill fast feet running. I did my first outdoor run for a while this week and felt ok but everything he’d the next day. It was odd; my hamstrings, glutes and hips all ached in a strange way. First thought was the cause was wearing the Nike Tempo Next % for the first time. 

These trainers felt very different. Such a responsive rebound and not a shoe for running slow. I zipped round 2k repeats in a relaxed 4:00 per/k pace. Now I’m thinking I am fighting off I’ll was as if not felt right the last few days. I have an 8k easy planned today so let’s see how the legs feel. 

I want to build up the conditioning with heavier weights during Nov/Dec. Then build more specific bike/run volume during Jan/Feb. Then dial in the speed Mar/Apr. There, easy 😂

Building Slowly - Conditioning & NTC Rides Before Winter Hibernating

 Three weeks since my last blog and I’ve actually managed to maintain a good focus on conditioning with treadmill fast feet. Achilles not fully healthy but getting there. 

I’ve also bagged a couple of NTC group rides in real life and really enjoyed just riding how I feel. Yesterday was a lumpy route taking in a different road to the Peak cafe. I got a puncture for the first time in years. Time to change the tyres on the evo2max as these are the original ones from 2017. 

I’m going to keep this conditioning focus for another month. Then reassess.