Training Log Archive: nmulder

0700 - Photo shoot for Team Cyanosis. A wee bit of running and cycling over the koppies at Protea Ridge for the photographer.

1015 - We were supposed to do a team paddle down the klip, but my right hip is too bad to paddle. We thus converted the team session into a social ride to Fourways and back for breakfast.

0730 - Did my 2nd Crater Cruise in Parys. My diary from last year noted it was not too enjoyable and I rediscovered why. I got seeded in the top bunch, but it proved to be pointless as the lead-out car drove through Parys at a mere 20km/hr. By the time we got to the bridge and the flag dropped, we had a huge number of people at the front who shouldn't have been there. I had two guys lock their back wheels on the next downhill for no real reason at 50km/hr! Never been so scared on a bike in my life.

The big problem today was a strong NW wind. This made the first half and sections of the remainder extremely tough as we battled to get good speed on sections that are normally very fast. Other than that, I clipped a tree with my right hip at 58km mark on a single track by the Vaal River (very ouch! - I was actually wondering if I'd crack my hip bone for the next few kms). The good news is that I paced myself better than last year and finished very strongly. I also hydrated and electrolyted very well. Quite warm weather, although it was hard to notice with the strong wind.

The course was changed over the last 8km, making it 2km longer than last year. Together with the slow lead-out and the strong head winds, this put paid to my goal of beating last years time (10 min slower). At least I beat Carla R this year. I'm still happy though - I figure I'd have been about 2 mins faster than last years time if the conditions had been identical.

Tm 4.21.31 Av 23.6 Mx 57.6

Official position is 41st, a good 10+ places up from last year!

Rest day for Crater Cruise tomorrow. Have also finally uploaded my SA Champs maps from 2 weeks ago.

0800 - Short ride out to Constantia Kloof area. Av 21.1 Mx 58.5

1200.

1800 - Shortish run through Fairland and Berario.

0900 - Mac chickened out of this long ride, so I was on my own. Out to Swarkops, then Sterkfontein loop before loop behind Rhino and Lion park. Then the Logwood dirt roads and home. Av 22.3 Mx 60.4

1200.

1700 - Dropped the car off at the panel beaters in Blackheath and then went for a short run home. Calf felt okay.