h2ofun wrote:
Just FYI, most old folks lose flexibility, period. I do back exercises like 3 days a week.
Take this as just a suggestion, and not an attack (because it's not!): You have spent a good 3 hours a day running and riding, nearly everyday for the last 3 months, but you're only taking 3 days a week to address what you see as a serious limiter. Maybe you ought to look at changing that balance so as to address your limitations or at least minimize their effects.
h2ofun wrote:
Another reason I would never have a coach. I do not need someone, young, telling me that one does not need to have old age stuff. I would need a coach who understands that as one gets older, one needs to changes things like bike fit, to optimize what a person has, not scold them for not being able to do what a young person can.
My wife is a physical trainer who has, over the last couple of years, specialized in fitness training for older adults. Just because many of us are not quite as old as you does not mean that we cannot be aware of physical limitations. If you don't currently have one, maybe you SHOULD find a local PT that can assess your back situation and guide you on strengthening and flexibility exercises. It may be the most low-hanging fruit there is for your long term health.
h2ofun wrote:
This is why so many folks just do not get it. We all compete in Age brackets. Very very few will ever ever achieve the type of results I have over the years. Most will not
even be able to race if they get close to my age. I could care less about aerodynamic drag. What I want is the best I can be for my age and issues, comfortable, and still being able to run off the bike. If this means I sit up in the entire race, so be it. I still end up at the finish line much sooner than most folks my age do, even if they "beat" me on the bike leg.
By all indications you have a very highly developed cardiovascular system and a lot of innate running talent. It makes sense for you to make the most of it but you don't need to use it as a defensive crutch anytime people try to give you helpful input. Nobody here has suggested that you should sacrifice comfort or overall performance in order to improve your bike speed. But, you yourself have posted that you would be willing to sacrifice, say, one minute on a run in order to gain two on the bike.
Less is more.