Training Log Archive: rapidchaser

Event: Gorrick Trail Trax
 

First trail trax race of the year in Tilford. First race on the new 29er. Maps in 1:50K, rained heavy before race and overnight, so many trails very wet. Planned a route to cover approx. 50km, but a few small nav errors and slow moving through a long sandy trail section put paid to doing the original plan. Guided Helen to the first CP which also cost time.
Fell off bike twice, once crossed up in deep sand, then again on a steep hill climb when the back tyre lost grip going over a log, spun, and loss of momentum put me in the dirt. This fall also buggered up the map board, so the rest of the ride (last 3/4 hour) was annoying as had to keep propping up the map board with a hand to read it, so was slower than usual. Finished 2 mins late due to going for CP1 on the way back which was not worth it, damn!

Ran the Newlands corner - Leith hill - North Downs Way loop (same as mid march). Increased pack weight with addition of heavy bike lock, so approx. 13kg. Jogged long sections including most slight uphills. Started to suffer in the feet, ankles and knees with about 2 hours to go, and very wet from sweating out again. Weather mild with cool wind, tracks mostly dry.
Took approx. 3/4 hour less than last time I ran this, with only a +2 on ave heart rate. Feeling wrecked now, legs and joints a bit sore from the pounding with the heavy pack at ave 5MPH.
Suspect the ave HR is wrong as belt slipped down and remember seeing it reading under 110bpm when I was puffing, so likely the ave was closer to mid 130's

Paddle usual 12km route to Send, 4x portages and river still quite swirly. Slow at put ins at portaging due to instability and falling in last week. Did about 10x 50 stroke efforts alternating with 50 lower efforts, then did 80% on the way back. Paddled on past finish to meet Helen and managed to fall out in cold water AGAIN!

Ergo session with 6 x 5min efforts at +80% and warm up/ cool down

First ride on the new 29er. Felt a bit strange, wide handlbars and big wheels. Had to stop a few times to adjust seat height and also got caught up fro a while at traffic lights. Impressions were that bike is better across small ruts and through soft surfaces like sand and mud. Back wheel seemed a bit skiddish coming down some single trail, possibly flex in rear wheel(?). Was not sure if time was any better than the 26", I think I have done that same loop in similar time before, but maybe was not carrying the 10KG pack that time. Anyway, bike seems enormous, hopefully will get used to it soon. Have a new seat coming s the supplied one is made of cement! Not sureif the gargantuan thing will fit into a bike box even with both wheels off!