Training Log Archive: Dangerman

Event: MTB XC Series, Rd 2
 

XC Rd 2 on today. After my wait and see approach in round 1, I think I will approach this one differently.

The course is hilly apparently so that should work in my favour. Also, being a country event, I think it is likely that less people will attend. Therefore the chances of me placing in my class are improved from last time.
Goal: top 3 in Veterans

In the last round, I hung back and noticed that everyone went nuts at the start and then faded a bit. I think that in this race, the same will happen and therefore there is no need for me to hang back in an attempt to keep out of people's way. If I pass them and then fade, well, the likelihood is that they will be fading too.

I'll also have water and food with me this time, in case the race runs close to 2 hours like last time (1 bottle at start, 1 bottle on bike). I definitely slowed towards to end of the last race and I'm sure I could have had 2 places if I had kept my fuel topped up.

So, the plan is to go flat out basically. Only proviso on that is to keep the HR under 175. Might set an alarm on the watch.... Though that might warn others that I'm hurting.....

Scout lap. Very glad I did this!

The Race
I knew something was amiss when, on the first big climb of the first lap, I passed the favourite to win the Veteran's class. And not a grueling slow pass. A quick one where he was there for a few seconds and then gone..... The uncontrollable panting (on my part) should have been a dead giveaway as should have been the intense burning sensation screaming from my legs. It took me a good while to convince myself that I had gone out too hard. It took a little longer for me to actually slow down and attempt to recover. Silly male must win don't give up never show you're hurting attitude.

I recovered slowly by the time I was nearing the end of the 1st lap. Lap 2 was fine with a few passing moves being made and been had. Lap 3 of 4 was tough. After 2 falls that cost me about 1 minute, I had Mr Orange (jersey colour) catching me. Slowly. But I couldn't shake him. What's more, he was strong and closing the gap up the hills, what I thought might be an advantage for me today. On the downhill run on lap 3, I take a few small risks to try to conserve some energy and gap him so that I have something to offer up the small hill that forms the last part of the downhill. Damn, he's close, I can hear him. Right, we are barrelling downhill on a long right hander that is f f f fast. The previous riders had made a mini berm from going wide so I figure I can use this to help me round without brakes. Problem is, you have to lean and commit to it before you see it.... Anyway, lean, close sphincter..... yep, through..... although I did hear an odd noise.

Turn the head slight and see.... nothing....! Looks like Mr Orange muffed it on that corner. Phew. However... As I begin the climb for lap 4, he's there again! Ok, now it's do or die time. Up the main climb, I try to pick my maximum sustainable pace while having a few smaller rear sprockets spare for the kick at the end. I don't look behind me as I know he's close. No need to encourage him. The problem with the main climb is that it is a fireroad so plenty of space to pass. What makes it even more wicked, is that after the race course deviates to the single track, the climb continues. So what looks like the end is simply 3/4 up. And the single track then has obstacles on it that you need power to get over so pacing is so very important.

I keep him behind me however and the single track starts. Here I get sneaky. The single track varies from narrow to wide. I ease of about 2% on the narrow so I have enough for flat out bursts on the wide. This continues for ages and I really think that I'm going to have to bail soon on this. My legs hurt. I can feel fatigue coming up on me fast. My brain is lagging behind the pace with small mistakes creeping in over obstacles. Keep at it. He's still on my clacker up the remainder of the climb, still there over the top and still there on the downhill. Damn this is good, but my legs! Stop it!

The last part of the lap is a straight run down to two slow corners, a mini climb of about 40m and the 50m to the line. I know he's there and close so I have to hammer the straight. I ease up a bit early into the corner as I know he won't pass there and it will give me some (2 seconds!) rest. Corner one, corner two and now to give it all I have. I absolutely flatten in up the hill with my legs spinning like crazy. I keep the power on around the corner onto the straight. My legs have given up on giving me feedback at this stage. I keep pushing and get over the line in front of Mr Orange, who gives me a heart felt congrats once we stop and once I can start talking again. What a race! The closest race that I have ever had.

Those last two laps made me realise how much more you can push and hurt and keep going if it's important enough. In the end, despite all that effort, I was rewarded with a top 10 finish in 10th place. All that effort! I thought I would be disappointed, but the complete opposite was true. The field was much bigger this time around and my top 3 goal was a little lofty. Yes, I got owned, but by a group of pretty good riders and a killer trail. and it was by the almost the same group that rode at Turner Hill. Weird, I tried so much harder in this race....

C • Breaking My Rules?!?! 2

C • The Trail 2

I spent what seemed and inordinate time on the front today. That was good though as it gave me a reason to work a bit harder and actually warm up. Wasn't it chilly this morning!?

1st sprint arrived and a small lead out group formed. I followed sneakily and then snuck up on no 2, who took off around no 1 while giving me the slingshot to pass him for the win! He was a bit surprised to see me there.

Next sprint was up a hill. I was on the front again... and I was waiting for an attack. Nothing. Not one person breaking formation. Oh well, I know I can keep a decent pace on a climb, so what not go for it now? I did, and got this one too. A young wipper snapper caught up to me once I had finished. He had begun a chase when he saw me go but I had built too much of a lead already.

The bunnings hills was next. Wipper snapper lead out on a solo break away. I saw him but was blocked in. After a few please's and excuse me's I gave chase. I caught him (it was hard) stayed on the pedals and on his tail watching for any foxing (like him slowing to recover). Nothing like than happened so I pulled out for the sprint and got him there. That was 3 out of 3!

The last one into the cafe was good. Some confused and A and B passed us. A few people tried to hang on to B but as the hill started, they stopped. Quite a way from the sprint finish, I was 2nd wheel with wipper snapper close behind. I figured now was the time to go. He wouldn't expect it so early and by the time he reacted, I would (hopefully) be too far in front to drag him along. I absolutely put in all I had to make the bike accelerate as quickly as possible to create a gap. Front wheel lifted a bit! Wipper snapper was caught napping and I took out sprint 4 as well. Clean sweep!

C • How does this fit in... 3

I rode into work.

And I rode back too.

Had a late meeting so rushed to City Beach to find a car park full of cars but no runners. I did a great transition and started running down to Floreat just in time for the start.

I managed to keep up a good effort for about 7 or so intervals. It was great not to be completely blown away by everyone on the run. The sand was very hard, but I managed to keep Ian and Tooms in sight most times.

Letting the legs recover before some more training tomorrow. Group ride in the easy group on Saturday will do nicely as a lead up to the race Sunday. I'll do 2 of the sprints and take it easy for the remainder.

I got slightly angry at someone today and it was justified. Even used some assertiveness too 8-o
Called Telstra and asked for a refund of my paid in advance line rental since I have changed my land line provider.
After explaining the above was told that because I didn't tell Telstra of the change, I wasn't entitled to a refund. This, despite the fact that I had pre-paid till 4 June. I queried it and was told:
"Because Telstra in this case is not at fault, in that there was no error on our part, you are not entitled to a refund."
This is where I got angry - it was great :-D
"Look" I said "firstly, you now know that the provider has changed, so going by what you say, I am at the very least entitled to a refund for the line rental from now until 4 June."
breath
"Secondly, when my new provider took over the line, Telstra was informed. Otherwise, Telstra would not have allowed them to take the line over. I'm not sure I can explain it any simpler. So it's not my fault that your people in your departments are not talking to each other."
pause
"Ahh, yes, hold on sir, just let me put you through to our moving team...They should be able to help you"
Me: "Good"
Telstra "so...... how's your day been so far"
Me: "Fine"
After a quick chat (and complaint) with the moving department, problem solved!

C • Danger Look Out!! 1

Commute into work on still empty legs. I just tried to keep a consistent effort but as always, the pace crept up the close I got to town and the more commuters I saw.

Commute home up the coast. It was going to be another interval commute but I ditched the plan when I realised the legs were still empty. Took it reasonably easy - speed is due to the sea breeze.

Commute in. Nothing special happened today. My life is so boring. Why can't shadows chase me, other riders abuse me or railway tracks derail me? I'd have something to write about then....

Commute to Dad's for his birthday. He was happy with his deluxe chocolates. I was unhappy with a 3pm start on Saturday for lunch. I'm in Pemberton then (hopefully having already done a lap of the track and at the pub).

Day 3 session
3x(5min@90%+10min@50%)
Did this on empty legs and felt well tired (pronounce with Liverpudlian accent). Shouldn't be surprised though as going from no cycling last week to 2 sessions per day will do that to you.

See what stress does to you?!

C • Dangers new D-Railer 2

Great ride in today in what seemed like summer weather!?

I felt a little sore but pretty strong today. Concentrated on spinning the legs quickly. I'd like to say it was part of a plan however, to be honest, it was probably because I watched the TdF2000 where the commentators kept pointing out Lance Armstrong's unusually high cadence.

I'm such a groupie....

C • I've got a shirt you can borrow sometime 7

Day 2 session: 10x(30s@100%+30s@50%)
Found this workout hard to complete. Got lazy on number 9 and did 10 standing up as legs weren't feeling good at all. Fine for the first couple of reps but no endurance in them like on the weekend ride.

Besides that, it was great to be back on the bike riding up the coast with music in the background. I feel less stressed already.