Training Log Archive: brycec

wanted so badly to get ont he water today but instead woke up with a bad neck and a lot of pain all day... annoying. better resolve itself quick smart!

Mmm that thorn (potentially parrot bush) stuck just deep enough in my finger tip to make removal near impossible but close enough to make every keystroke brutal... its going to be awesome until it comes out!

Muscle soreness in shoulder/neck and lower back mainly - lighter 'to be expected' fatigue on the legs which should blow out in a day or so after I manage a proper sleep...

yes stayed up for the rugby last night so only got 4.5hrs last night...
yes I am feeling tired - was worth it though.

C • to make every keystroke brutal 3

So I got home at 12:01 made good time from HH but by the time I had showered, done my glute stretches (of course I wouldn’t miss these) Ostand listen to the all blacks sneak over the line it was 12:50.

I was feeling good but for my calves felt spanked and I had a pain on each foot arch at the rear near the heel – probably because I really hadn’t broken in shoes… These two factors actually kept me awake a lot! A few times during the night had to massage them. Also was struggling on temperature control with some mild sunburn. Putting all of this together with a few bathroom breaks from seriously pushing fluids and an early rise to see my young man I only got maybe 3hrs tops. Suffice to say not feeling in great form.

Felt like I had a massive hand over most of the day and really didn’t feel great in the stomach – I think nutrition and dehydration really spanked me. Also lower back and shoulders/traps very much feeling sore.

KOed hard at 1:30 - 4 in the babies room broken sleep with the time of day and noises etc. Woke up feeling pretty crap – levelled out at dinner but still not feeling great – still pushing fluids as feeling a bit off – that said have felt sorer after rogaines but hard to say ive felt more off centre.

Shoes went really really well – no real complaints the pinch on the toes hasn’t got worse so good there. Typical parrot bush/self harming type marks. No chaf or blisters, but a few bruises and wounds.

Generally ok.

Event: WARA 12hr Spring Rogaine
 

So both Paul and I failed to use a gps correctly – I turned mine off too fast post rest corrupting the file and Paull didn’t turn his off running battery flat – corrupting file… I would have really thought that Garmin in its wisdom would have worked out a way around these basic file corruptions in its firmware but apparently not.

Alas climb is a guess – distance is correct though as I have the finish screen.

The top 10 always looked like it could be an epic battle – I was putting us in at 3rd or 4th in my mind but knew anything was possible. Weather looked like it would be cool but it really wasn’t and now I need to say sorry to the competitors at my 6 hr – the heat and those hills would have bene brutal!

Pre not Pauls nav was exceptional and everything we pretty much hit flush – hence even more annoyed the trace isn’t available haha. I had to check him very little and we rocked along nicely.

So the blow by blow
HH > 14 – Jogged half of it to clear the pack and arrived there in line with will and Dave and another team.

14 > 76 - Diverged from Will and Dave and was the last we saw of them. Easy leg as we warmed into the race

76 > 75 > 102 > 93 > 86 > 45 – All clean no real dramas on bush or climb still feeling very chipper. Paul did at this point call out the wrong control to go to 72 instead of 34 and headed that way until I corrected him quickly. On the way down to 93 I tried to clear out my left leg I don’t know which the damage was for this one nor what cause the other damage but left leg has nasty bruising on shin (likely this incident) and also a puncture (no blood) type spot. It was also on the 45 leg I found I was getting stomach cramps – I think it was the tow rope being too tight but might have just been unsettled tummy.

45 > 34 > 21 > 52 – Clean through to the water point and whilst we hadn’t drunk a lot we both knew the next water stop was ages away and we filled up a lot. Pretty sure up to 52 was the first tow of the day, wasn’t really a ‘I needed’ a tow situation but we are just getting better at using it and it levels our team effort off nicely.

52 > 72 > 62> 42 – Again everything clean, temp started to pickup now but not too badly – I was water conserving but wasn’t really an issue at this point – Paul pretty much walked past 42 teehee.

42 > 91 – Back on the tow rope and passed Polly/Steve, Polly didn’t look so impressed at me being towed up a hill, oh well. My tummy had settled by now, however was starting to feel a touch of the bight of the heat. It was also on this leg I expressed my fondness for 12hours – really doesn’t need the mental pysch up that a 24hr does and 2-230 hrs in and it just feels like a normal day out – was feeling pretty chipper at this point.

91 > 81 - We nailed this control – but by god it was a step decent going down, forget trying that at night!

81 > 101 – On the exit passed Ricky and Richard couldn’t work out the direction they had gone. Good tow along the road and then, I experienced my first proper climb up to 101 and safe to say I died something hard – legs had nothing, could not push fluids but took on what I thought I could knowing where the next water drop was. Was really a struggle and flys where now pissing me off something fierce. Once we got to 101 I hoped could level out on next leg

101 > 41 – Across and down generally happy a tiny element of climb and I may have grabbed a tow for that bit but generally happy however really felt spent. Sun was starting to really bite at me now and I was concerned about what we had planned.

41 > 77 – A nail was being applied to the outside of my coffin. The climb out of 41 broke my soul, Paul had me on tow but I had to call for a number of breaks to keep in it. I also realised now I was already well through half my water pack and was eyeing up the HH for refill or a major NW cut. I had to push fluids – sun was owning me as was flying and climbing. It was really my only option. I am pretty sure this is when ‘survival mode’ really kicked in. Pretty much the point where I don’t talk and just focus every effort on making it to a certain point (at that stage an early HH) just to get through. Had full reliance on Paul but was super confident in his nav as he was within20m of everything so far during the day. At 77 we discussed dropping 92 and taking the road 41 mile and ducking in for 71. Paul clearly knew I was suffering.

77 > 92 – We went straight on bearing to the road with a plan of discussing at the road. Paul went for a comfort break and I sat down ate, pain killers, checked my water (now at 1l) and studied map. Tried to cool off and ignore the flys but failed at that. We opted (I decided to put myself further into the hurt locker) and continue up the hill. Onto tow rope on a technical climb – first time we tried such a technical tow – it was hard work and had a number of stops but certainly helped me up. Paul and I worked very effectively with the rope for the whole day and this certainly was one of the highlight rope sections even if it was the slowest and toughest.

92 > 71 – Easier leg and when we got to 71 we strategized again and decided not to go to HH meant I had to mentally rejig. Came up with 11-23-61-26-74-53, which was a well welcomed drop of 103-43-31-22-94-104-63 – no complaints from either of us. The concern really was I was probably 750ml now and really not wanting to put self-back on water conservation but had too.

71 > 11 > 23 > 31 > 26 > 74 – Really in the hurt locker, but as on smoother ground and less climbs managed to pick up the pace a bit - a few bits of cloud cover for brief moments gave a heat reprieve and got rid of the flys for a short period of time. I had really fallen off my eating plan because I didn’t have fluids to help me wash it down – knew this would be an issue. At 74 we sat for a talk – I was about 350-400ml so had conserved well… however I could feel a bad headache brewing and legs spanked from earlier, however could feel the muscles boarding cramp. I pushed a gel something I normally wouldn’t do without fluids to wash it down and agreed to grab 13-64 because it made sense. Full well knowing what was to come.

74> 13 > 64 – Didn’t feel well on this leg and started a few coughs and gags, didn’t feel like I would be sick but knew I just had to really focus in on 53, I probably had only said about 100 words tops for the better part of 4 hours now and most of them would have been yes or no.

64 > 53 – Climb. Almost broke me couldn’t be happier to hit the water drop. I did run dry on this leg. I refilled water, poured water over my head, food, first comfort break (which confirmed dehydration) and got myself reset. Also spotted worlds biggest ticks here yowers!

12 > 32 > 73 > 25 – First point I probably started to become more chipper again – really started to push the fluids and first time I didn’t feel I was melting in the sun. Pace was back to reasonable and building and I knew we had hours of track walking in front of us which was a mental game changer too.

25 > 65 – On the climb Paul scared a dugite from the log/rock it was under and it came straight towards me. I froze – the first snake ive seen in the wild ever. It glided on past me about 2m away and under a log before I continued. On the entry to 65 we spotted Ricky and Richard and knew they would be in the south for us – and suddenly competitive mode kicked into swing for me.

65 > 95 > 33 > 15 > 54 – Chasing down Ricky and Richard, all on tracks, all on tow – jogged once or twice but mainly just a brisk tow and enough to being to fatigue my legs however it was good. They were playing games with the times though but we estimated most the time they had about 10mins on us and it wasn’t changing too much. On the entry to 54 had a bit of an emergency decouple from the tow rope as a fly went full kamikaze into the back of my throat and gag reflex. I was chocked up and gagging hard and came very close to a spew then. Very unpleasant. We had a slightly longer break at the water drop about 7 mins and composed ourselves. Paul had managed to drink his 3L dry, I got within 300ml – clearly desperately need it. It was probably only about now that I also felt like I had rebalanced and was really back into this race.

54 > 66 > 32 > 82 – Just good solid nav a good tow and good ground coverage. We looked for the northern track on 82 couldn’t find it and it also rapidly got dark on us so got night kit on and went up the river. We had also worked out our time requirements to get home from here.

82 > 44 – HORRIBLE around 44. We misinterpret the description which had us fighting the bush on the western side - felt like an age – probably really wasn’t but we eventually dropped into river and got control – thanks to some other kind folk after we found their map they alerted us to the point we almost walked past in the dense growth. Turned out to be someone from my past – Hale or UWA Rugby, I cant recall – knew his name straight away though. This leg put us under some time pressure.

44 > 24 > 105 > 96 > 27 – All clean and fast, particularly out of 44 – we knew we were on the clock and cutting it fine we felt like we had about 10 mins up at 96 but a long way to go. 27 was a long leg incidentally pretty much no towing from 32 – I hadn’t asked because my pace was good, I wanted Paul to recover and I had an idea it might be a hard rope home.

27 > 36 – Pretty much realised time was very close here and was discussing the run in and where would go for the following points. Apparently on the e-punch printout we didn’t both get this control. I call BS as our system was that the first person punches and holds to on button down until the next person punches. So pretty hard to mess it up. Also since we punch control card and map pretty easy to prove too.

Forgot to mention SW loop originally we wanted to grab 85 – it became clear that wasn’t possible and it was dropped.

36 > 107 – Our last ‘concerning’ control we had heard it had a lot of parrot bush and wasn’t nice. We nailed it and the bush wasn’t the worst we had of the day.

107 > 51 - Quick out and onto the road and straight onto a fast tow. Hit the control and dropped the idea of even checking water even though I think we were both getting low again… why because at this point a 7min km from 14 home was looking very much possible.
51 > 16 > 84 – Hard hard hard nothing short of blistering tow rope pace along the main track it wasn’t until after 16 that we realised we were likely in the clear by about 5 mins. 84 was in too and hit perfectly clean and now it was just about a quick leg home

84 > HH Hit the track and realised we were safe but put nothing to chance and went like a bat out of hell all the way to the gate coming in with about 10 mins spare.

Anxious wait with the results – kudos to HH first time ur making my writeup I think but there was no skimping on the beef stew and it was awesome! Results out and 2nd place WOOT wasn’t expecting it thought Ricky and Richard would have pipped us but knew it would be a battle. Knew we wouldn’t get Dave and Will unless they had a blow up of some sort – Will post nationals and Dave flu 1 day back from travel – wasn’t impossible.

Really great rogaine – suffered a bit but pushed hard and got through. Funny since we weren’t going to be ‘competitive’ LOL. Well set and enjoyable course – wish weather had been cooler and slightly less hilly but EH. 1 complaint definitely needed another water drop in the mid north somewhere. Particularly given it could have been hotter out there – around 23 would have been ideal.

Great stuff from Paul – always an awesome partner and puts up with me so well haha. He smashed the nav all day. Look forward to our next race. This race really made me consider dropping 24s entirely or only doing 12-6 on a 24. Found it loads more enjoyable even with my suffering.

And yay no major injuries ankles held well – just look like a self-harmer from the parrot bush all day.

A bit of post mortem in my note from Sunday.

C • Water 30

Opportunity to settle the youngster, break in shoes and do a brisk walk. Tick.

Note getting up lemnos with a pram and maintaining a 10min km without jogging requires some effort.

Otherwise was a pretty pleasant walk.

Felt slower than the other day - turns out I trimmed off 2 seconds woo...

muscles still a bit sore but meh had to blast through that - felt better out there but mentally didnt push out and physically didnt push off. had a bit of a kick with about 650 to go so the certainly got me the faster time. (I thought I was like 1 min slower - so pleasantly surprised)

Wind was gusty again.

Shoes good :)

Fitness... lets nto talk about it

Well went to try out the new shoes - decided the 4km loop would be a good reintroduction to running and also the shoes.

Felt strong and started strong - moved nicely for about 1-1.5km even though it was seemingly into a strong wind.

Settled into a cruise along brockway and down to jtc. Had to escort 2 ducks and 3 ducklings from the middle of the road through traffic - the father duck wasnt so impressed by me - the motorist where. good deed done I continued my run - but found it hard to pick up the pace - in fact I just plodded along - I still felt physically very together and strong (wftc) and mentally wanted to go. Maybe cardiovascular held me a bit but I didnt feel like I was pushing it (183 max says otherwise though). I knew I had a headache when I started so maybe came into play?!

Anyway dropped my average time from about 5:20 to 5:45 in the last 2kms which was very disappointing. Times put me back to where I was in May however I distinctly felt better than then so hopefully the catchup will be shorter - I hope - annoyed ive let this happen.

Shoes performed well - obviously a few hard spots which need to get worn in - but grip is good - actually saved me, I tripped on a raised slabbed and had the grip been poor I would have been face first into a car tow ball - however recover sufficiently to stay upright and dodge the tail end - the bad ankle felt great - other ankle/Achilles had a few twinges more from first run in a while than the shoes. Knees feel a tad taxed but same reason as above. All in all I think I am happy with the shoes but I will hold off on full judgement until they are fully worn in.

yay my 2E version of the XA Pro 3D's (the M+ version) arrived today - internet shopping for the win the size was right.

Still felt a little tight but not as tight as I recall my old ones being - wore them around the house for a few hours just to start wearing them in and as I went to take them off I thought - wonder how the old ones feel as a comparison. Tried them on and they felt more roomy - which I know not to be the case as I now have shootign pains after the prior two rogaines and (still have them 1 now) in my middle toes from being squished together. Maybe because they old ones are worn in but concerning - so compared the soles - mmm same width if not slightly smaller - weird.. I am hoping the new ones will give a bit and that internally slightly different.

I guess the real test is on the 12 hr if my toes get worse or not.. hoping the purchase wasnt bad but wont have faith until I start really using them.

either way new shoes yay?

Feeling very average last few days - hopefully will bounce back in the next few days - getting annoyed at myself for lack of prep now :(

So I figured with under a month to go I better get out and try get some form of fitness back and tackle my weakest leg.

So went for a long paddle - got to say it felt pretty difficult - feel like I have some blisters coming up and certainly seems I worked hard on HR even though was just cruising along. A few small dicey moments but compared to the ocean was so nice.

Traps are spanked and arms are spent - which just says I am doing it wrong and everything is out of form.

Good news Toom's glute program clearly working as very little numbness issues.

Really going to have to step up the game.... also to add fuel to fire speaking to brother post paddle at folks house he said he had done anaconda before (this I did not know/remember) and promptly informed me he won it as a pair with ben hewitt in 2006 and then came second in the same pair in 2007. Darn - guess I should have been training harder so the time difference wouldnt be so extreme.

Sadly still feeling rubbish from past weekend Also waiting on new shoes to arrive hopefully soon - might jump on bike on weekend.

*edit* - well apparently this is my fastest average pace ever and my second longest distance - well I feel a little better now... even though the HR was certainly well higher than it used to be.

C • 2006 4

Dropped car for service and short ride home - gut still feeling a bit unsure in itself from the weekend.

Want to train - hopefully things will settle, cant imagine much more going off the rails after this past weekend (my gut was the smallest of the weekends troubles).

More short delays to restarting. Stomach bug of badness kicking my ass atm

Well as I have a complete lack of any other form of exercise I will log this:

Short walk with Emma and Will around the block getting them both out and about.

My proper training and 1 last long slog of 3 weeks to restart very soon!