Training Log Archive: Vaala

Yep, just went out and cruised the fun tracks for the first 3 hours with some nice climbs and a deep ford I ended up crossing twice! Trying too hard to get points seemed pretty pointless and I knew I'd just feel pretty miserable if I did that. Was much more fun this way. Wrist was pretty unhappy, especially when I attempted to haul my bike up some impossible track when I should have taken the longer route round which I could have ridden.
The thing I hate about MTBO rogaines is that in a foot rogaine I know, given enough time, I can physically get any of the controls on the map but on a bike I just can't. And then there are stupid fences I'm supposed to get my bike over when I can't even lift it very far off the ground without feeling ill. And I'm sick of certain people telling me it's so easy. Sure, a couple of years ago I was throwing my bike over fences 10 times in an hour with ease but this is now and I'm lucky that I can ride so stop telling me what I should be able to do.
Sorry, rant over now.

C • as rants go... 2

Got dropped off at the start of a track and jogged along to pick a control. It wasn't in the place marked on the map. Then cruised down some overgrown track to the car where I almost fell asleep in the shade waiting for the others to get back.

Event: Hanmer Springs MTBO
 

Feeling so anxious I could barely breathe and riding my own bike down the road to the start just felt really weird! But felt okay once I got going. Just sort of cruised around attempting to have fun, not get run over by the speedy riders, and not panic.

Really not keen to race by the afternoon and was very much hoping Emily would have to take my bike and I could go running.
Anyway, the wind was ridiculous and it nearly blew me off the road a few times then getting to #2 was just ridiculous despite trying to find the route I could ride the most with less pushing. I couldn't push or carry my bike up the 2 contours I did have to get it up and was so close to giving up. Ended up getting above the bike and dragging it up with my left arm. It took a long time and I felt ill by the top. Was pretty angry at this point but the course improved once I tipped my bike over the fence from #3 (my poor bike - dropped, dragged, thrown). Did get a bit confused at a clearing which I mistook for a track junction and I stood there for, quite probably, a full 5 minutes not knowing what to do.
M came to meet me near the end for some final cheering. I ignored the fast route a few times and took some nice single track instead since who really cares about my slow times and I was so so over the boring gravel roads.

Jogging round bringing in some controls, running on some lovely single track. Yep, should have gone running instead of this MTBO thing.

C • ah you have seen the light 3

Cruising up Rapaki with M and co on their mtbs. Then Witch Hill loop while they had fun in the rocks then by myself down the valley. Nice and slow.
Probably should have been riding but I didn't feel like Joe telling me all the things I was doing wrong after already having half an hour of how I should change my bike to be like Sarah's. Plus my wrist hates me lots. Sorry, grump of the day now over.

C • Sounds like you need to tal... 2

Little ride on the trainer before cake group or whatever it really is whilst trying to finish the book. It's hard to ride hard whilst reading a book. Try it. Was going to do stretches and abs when I got home but forgot I had certificates to make, update the website and all that jazz. It's never ending. Can I retire from this job now? No one really wants my certificates anyway as far as I can tell.

No time trial 'cause M was injured and can't go to Wed night run tomorrow as I'll be too busy eating cake so went running tonight instead. Up the valley and Rapaki, Witch Hill loop, round Mt Vernon then down Farm Track and into the valley. Windy would be an understatement.

C • aha 4