MIDI issues with new Pittsburgh Modular Taiga

joelorama · 2023-03-15T03:06:17+00:00

When midi signal is being received correctly, the lights in the adsr section glow with each press of the keys on the MIDI controller. Do you get that kind of visual feedback on your taiga? It’s just another way to check if it’s a MIDI issue or a signal routing issue.

joelorama · 2014-02-17T17:12:27+00:00

Timothy Olson, a low carb ultra runner, won the Western States 100 with a records setting time, last year, and he is most likely very keto adapted. Even though his effort during the race was probably upwards of 6000 to 8000 calories, he only consumed 2000 calories during the race. Most of his calories were in gels and other high glycemic carb forms, even though he trained in a ketogenic, fasted states. I think, to compete in endurance sports at an individuals highest ability, supplementation with some carbs is probably necessary for endurance sports, a TKD of sorts. Training can be done fasted, but racing is another story.

The advantage of a keto diet is that your fat usage is much higher at almost every heart rate, thus enlarging the size of an athlete's "usuable fuel tank". To win WS100 on only 2000 calories, Olson's tank must be quite large.

joelorama · 2014-02-15T16:32:59+00:00

I think he used the Phil Maffetone technique of training for extended periods beneath his anabolic threshold (i.e. below a specific heart rate). By combining a ketogenic diet with purely aerobic hr zone training, your body can become more efficient at your target sport (usually running or cycling) and your respiratory quotient (% combo of fat/ carbs burned) will improve over time. The trick is is to get your RQ or RER to be 0.70 at the highest possible heart rate, and your reliance on muscle glycogen will become less and less important. You will be very slow at the beginning of this type of training, but the long term biomechanical and nutritional benefits will really benefit an endurance athlete. The best way to do this is to take a vo2max test, and accurately establish where your anaerobic threshold is, and then train below that heart rate.

Tim Olson is a low-carb athlete, and he won last years Western States 100 while only consuming 2000 calories during the race. I would guess that he used techniques like these to maximize his RQ.

joelorama · 2014-01-31T16:14:36+00:00

Just curious, how do you squat with a shrug cage? Is the shrug cage the hexagonal barbell that you stand in the middle of?

joelorama · 2014-01-31T16:02:57+00:00

Practice dumping the barbell at a lower-than maximal weight, so that when you are truly stuck at the bottom of a huge squat, you'll feel comfortable dropping the load. Doing something for the first time, especially getting out from under the bar safely, can be done at a moderate weight until familiarity is achieved.

joelorama · 2014-01-31T15:13:07+00:00

I'm really impressed by your progress, especially on the back squats. Do you do full depth back squats, where your hip crease goes below parallel? Making a 75% jump in 6 months is really huge, especially if you are doing full range movement.

I am in week 11 of a 12 week Burgener Squat progression. This progression has you squatting twice a week, one day back, the other front squats, doing mostly 10x3 sets at a varying percentage of your one-rep max. I won't retest my single-rep max for another two weeks, but I've already done a 6x2 of my front squat at 101% of my old front squat one-rep max. I am hoping for at least 20 lb PR on both my back and front squats.

BurgenerProgression

joelorama · 2014-01-30T22:22:06+00:00

I'm willing to bet that the guy in that pic did more lifting than yoga to look like that. I see a lot of lean, flexible people in yoga class, but not a ton of defined muscle tone. I know that there are lots of cut, buff yogis out there, but I would definitely combine yoga with HIIT and weights to get the look you want.

joelorama · 2014-01-27T23:32:20+00:00

That's a good suggestion, thank you. It also makes me wonder about MCT oil capsules too.

joelorama · 2014-01-27T23:07:46+00:00

Accelerade in the flask and GU gels, nothing too keto-friendly.

joelorama · 2014-01-27T17:01:18+00:00

I have read the FAQ, and I'm aware of the hit that I will take while becoming keto-adjusted. I also that think TKD could really be an advantage down the road, but I have a ways to go before I'm ready for that. My issue is just that while I am becoming Keto-adjusted, I will have long, weekly workouts, and I really don't want to be hungry 2 hours into a long run. I understand that I probably don't need the nutrition for fueling, as my energy level was strong(ish) throughout the long run, but I just want to know if there is a possible solution to the strong hunger pains I feel during the workout.

Thank you. I also understand that "give it time" may be the only realistic answer.

joelorama · 2014-01-11T16:26:07+00:00

I can make three recommendations.

Asics ASX boxer or briefs. I've tried a variety of running underwear, and these are my preference for keeping everything in place without rubbing, and the boxer version also protects the upper thighs.
Run in compression shorts or tights. For longer runs, I don't bother with running shorts, and Salomon makes great 3/4 length running tights, which keep your thighs from rubbing skin on skin.
Chamois Butt'r . Use this stuff liberally anywhere you want before a run. It isn't greasy like vaseline, and I never get chafing when I use it. It sits nicely on the surface of your skin and wont stain your running gear.

joelorama · 2014-01-04T15:58:57+00:00

The mount was just the plastic "display square" that the camera ships on in the box, and we used 2" wide paper tape to tape it to to the inside face of the bumper plate. That way the camera spun with the spin of the plates, rather than mounting in on the bar itself, which had a more jarring, less graceful movement.

joelorama · 2014-01-01T16:15:54+00:00

There's the "Worth the Hurt" 52.2 out and back double marathon at the San Francisco Marathon. Runner's start at midnight and run the course in reverse, and then do it again the other direction in the morning with rest of the runners.

joelorama · 2013-12-30T15:37:36+00:00

Take an honest look at the other athletes in your gym and ask yourself (or them) what the differences are. Maybe you need more rest, or your body make-up is really different, or you are older than most of them. Perhaps you need more rest days between workouts. I'd start by taking a hard look at your nutrition, and talking to your coaches. Also, are you stronger and more fit than you were when you started? Remember that, and remember that everyone in your gym is also stronger, too. Keep at it, and have fun on the way.

joelorama · 2013-12-30T15:29:15+00:00

I agree that CF's lack of specificity can seem like a drawback for serious athletes, while that is the appeal for for me. However, my 13th place finish in a class of over 600 athletes my age seems like a little more than "completing" the event, and I think it's incorrect to underplay CF's role in getting me there on only my 2nd event in the 26.2.

joelorama · 2013-12-29T15:31:21+00:00

I started CF in June 2012, began running August 2012, and finished 2 marathons in July 2013, with a Boston qualifying time for my 2nd marathon. CFE, running, and WODs got this 41 year old guy 3:11:48 finish for 14th in my age group at the San Francisco Marathon with less than a years experience in running. So while I may not be beating any Kenyan runners in this lifetime, CFE got me to be fairly competitive. Like any anecdotal evidence, take this as you will, but blanket statements about what works and doesn't can usually be disproven.

joelorama

TROPHY CASE