Training Log Archive: Mounty

Killingworth 8Hr a.k.a Bull Training Day #1

Goal for the day was to work on MTB skills as the 8hr I did earlier in the year had been so beneficial. Deliberately started back a bit in the field to avoid my natural tendency to start these things too fast. Had to concentrate having not ridden a lap beforehand, and settled in to the conga line. Spotted Katrin a few wheels ahead after a quarter of an hour, so worked my way forward to get on the back for a technical riding lesson.

Rode on her wheel for a lap and half to observe how its done. Main thing I noticed is that she doesnt shut up - happily chatting away to everyone in the neighbourhood. Also pleased to see I could keep up through the wiggly bits and technical down-bits while staying relaxed - couldn't have done that last year.

Feeling OK after an hour, so decided to play rabbit as wifey was hoping for a good pre-World's hitout from the day and there weren't any strong ladies there to push her. Pulled out a few minutes over the next few laps until I had a little tumble riding thru' the finish - was fiddling with trip computer or something going through the bunting wiggles and washed out the front wheel. Came down on may hand for a dreaded case of MTB'ers thumb (a.k.a skiier's thumb).

Gritted teeth for a couple more laps - downhills and shifting very ouchy, then had a couple of goes at strapping it to limited benefit. More annoyed than anything as I know how long sprained thumbs can hang around. Let wifey know I was OK, then went for a run - didn't want to waste my training day that we'd gone to all the trouble of setting up.

Ran straight up the escarpment under the powerline (400m steep bush bash when the track ended), then around the ridge track to the top of Mt Sugarloaf. 370m climb on the altimeter. Down the road (150m gradual decent on smooth bitumen, so stretched out 'cause it was fun), then cross country on dead reckoning to try and come across the bike race again. Had fun linking up bike & animal tracks and open bits of bush.

Noticed when I got back just before quitting time another lap would crack 100K, so went out again not touching the left shifter and taking it easy on the rough bits.

Mixed bag of a day out. Hope thumb recovers quickly.

C • Ouch 3

Met Guenter on Rosevilel Bridge. Had to stop in C Cove to complete gossip before going separate ways.

Pretty blobby ride. Need to start raising the tempo again.

Main change to routine following Big Dave advice is slightly longer rests between sets. Takes getting used to with an endurance training background. Good opportunity to stretch though.

Feeling much better than yesterday. Hopefully caught it in time.

Cruised in (after fixing brake rub).

Tried to push big gears, esp on the ups. Dry day, but poured as soon as i got near the bike.

Delayed by homeless/bridge guy on roseville bridge footpath. Swerving so much he was hard to get past.

Felt like a bug was having a crack. Pro-active rest day.

Took Katrin's roadie in to CSC. My route in to the city is too bumpy to enjoy on a roadie. Went thru North Sydney instead of over Cammeray golf course as a result. F'in awful there before 9am.

Made me appreciate the MTB and the usual later start.

Feeling a bit run down. Paying for a couple of short nights.

Insanely early ride in. Used the old Norwegian adage "no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes" to get out the door.

Norwegians must have a lot of laundry.

Discovered just before home that I'd been riding with the front brake half on. Unintented resistance session. On reflection I think it must have been stuck on this morning as well.