Training Log Archive: kgeisen

Event: Land Run 100
 

Total race time 9:32:13.

Temp was in the high 50's (?) at the start. I wore my momentum kit, swiftwick arm warmers, tall socks, and a cycling cap under my helmet, and the only change I made all day was to pull down my arm warmers as the weather warmed up. I rode my cross bike with 700x42 continental travel contacts, and I was super happy with my set-up. The tires handled well in the mud and shed it well on the road.

I rode with Mickey; the plan was to ride his wheel all day long. We started much further up than I typically would, and the forever-long neutral roll-out was moderately terrifying because I'm uncomfortable riding in a big group.

I was totally prepared for the mud and totally unprepared for what the relentless rollers would feel like. This wasn't a good course for Mickey and me to work together on because I'm as fast or faster than he is downhill and most comfortable when I have an unobstructed view, but I'm dramatically slower than he is uphill. We were occasionally able to take advantage of drafting on some of the few flat sections, but his job ended up being mostly to follow the route and not let me stop.

Over 9:32 total time, I had a total of 13 minutes non-moving time: two medicine stops, one stop to go to the bathroom, one time to adjust my helmet, and then our transition at the midpoint bag drop. I put out a much more consistent effort over this race than my typical race. Usually I slow way down when I'm feeling lousy, and then I get a second wind and pick it up again. This time I just felt lousy most of the time.

I felt really, REALLY slow on uphills. I'm not sure if it's that I was slower than usual or if I just felt slower in comparison to Mickey's effortless climbing.

Much of the first half was soft, which probably also led to more perceived struggle on the hills, and then we hit the first unrideable mud just after mile 20. I've heard estimates between 3-6 miles of hike-a-bike spread out over several different places. I don't have any clue; I just carried my bike until I could ride again.

We played it safe with the mud and our bikes came through unscathed. I was really glad to have worn my camelbak because it created a little extra padding. The top of my back is still pretty sore from the top tube of my bike, but it's much better than it could have been.

The HABs, good time management, and good mechanical luck had us in front of a lot of people who I never should have seen on course. I was 5th woman coming into the midpoint and 9th overall at the end. I wish I could have ridden stronger to hold that position, but we definitely made the most of my strengths. Finished 2nd AG (first was on the overall podium) and 9th woman overall.

Like 750ish registered, 331 finished. I'm interested to see how many DNFs vs no shows. Plenty of mechanical carnage to be seen.

C • !!!!!!!!!!!!! 6

This run felt pretty terrible from the start, and my left knee felt really weird, like there was no bounce to it. Between that and the dog dragging me like crazy so that my shoulder was hurting and totally throwing off my stride, I pretty quickly decided I was better off walking than doing something dumb right before Land Run.

I very much did not want to go back to the gym tonight, but Jacob was wanting to go. 5 min TM warmup and then we went through the strength program Luke put together for him. Neither of us are any good at inverted rows, but the rest went fine.

Met Patrick at SIUE for a quick ride before it got dark. Fun.

C • Miles 3

SIUE trails with Mickey. I don't ride here enough. That was really fun. He pushed me to ride some stuff that I normally pass by.

Was definitely feeling yesterday's miles and the punishment Bob and Chuck threw down on the return trip.

To/from my mom's to FINALLY give her her Valentine's Day gift.