Training Log Archive: Vandi

Left from Brookvale (drop-off Silvergu at car detailer), up Allambie Road then arond Akuna Bay. Has Akuna really gotten so much harder on the legs or am I just getting slow?

Mother's day today. Had another onset of a migraine, but managed to get to bed before it got too bad. No training this weekend at all. I need to have a chat at work and reduce working days until after Wolrds. This is just not working.

Went for a hills ride up Acron Hill, around the streets back down Quarry Hill then up again, up Davidson Hill then back up Belrose hill. From now on referred to as "4 hills ride".

Nice way to test the new black Fuel.

Had to quickly jump into clothes hiding the mud on my legs and arms to pick up the kids from school.

It feels good to start feeling human again.

Ride in to work. Still feeling pretty weak but can at least move now.

Feeling completely exhausted and dizzy from migraine last night. Riding today would have been plain stupid, so decided to have a rest instead.

Feeling pretty weak. Obviously fatigued and worn from stress at work.

Had nothing left in me. Arrived home totally empty. Ended up in bed at 7pm with migraine.

Legs bit tired. Feling a bit wrn form the weekend, but felt nice to spin the legs out. Even managed a few splashes of intensity.

I had picked up my new shiny black Fuel 9.9 from Clarence Street on Saturday arvo, and was all psyched up to ride it on Sunday. Apart from a ride around the block I had not had a chance to set it up properly, but there was no way I wasn?t going to ride it for the Dirtworks.

In hindsight it would have been probably a good idea to have worked out beforehand how to use the gears and adjust the gear cables, as it took me a while to work that our while riding?

The race started with a bit of a hiccup when I realised 3 minutes after the gun that I didn?t have my transponder on. After a minute of tossing up whether to continue on unranked or go back and lose ten minutes I decided to head back and do the right thing. As I entered the start area again (very embarrassing moment!) I suddenly realised my time wouldn?t have started yet. I picked up my transponder and asked if I could join the next group. Yep, that was fine.

So I headed off with the next wave, which consisted of just guys, mostly in the open and vet categories (apart from the first elite wave all other waves were self-seeding). This turned out to be a great move, apart from the first hill? Most guys had started the muddy and steep hill ahead of me after the long road stretch, but I passed about 90% of them as I rode up, as a lot of them got off the bike to walk. It was a bit annoying working my way through the carnage, but it also felt pretty satisfying as the sole girl in the crowd around making her way to the front.

After this first hill my re-start proved to be an excellent move. As soon as I started the first hill I knew I was going to ride for the win ? my legs and my bike felt just great! Not only did I get to ride most of the way with guys of similar speed - which allowed for some excellent pacing and fun company - but I also liked the thought of chasing the girls in my own category down.

It clearly helped to know the course from last year, so I knew there were some pretty nasty hills until the end, but I felt so solid I was happy to push as hard as I could the entire way.

It was a near perfect race, apart from some awkward gear shift changes as I kept pushing my brake levers down ? I?m so used to my good ol? dual shifters that I?ll need some time getting used to the new XTR!

Legs feeling good but body is mentally tired. Due to lack of time decided to just head to triangle at top of Akuna loop then finish at St Ives for Annika's T-ball. Had arranged with Mounty to drive back home from there so he could ride into work.