Training Log Archive: Yak

Gatecrashed an Italian training race with full SI.
So it ended up being us, half the Russians and most Italians plus saki.
Was in Vo, in Bercici hills about 45 mins from Vicenza.
Almost all vineyards, though not the flat variety - 120m climb to first control.
I did 70% of the elite course but wasnt clean. Great tr event, as relay will have some of this.

Had a great adventure day in Venice about a week ago.
4 hrs riding on Lido and then kayaked from 5-11pm, including the Grand Canal and bridge of sighs and all the small canals - great fun.
Next day was start of tr camp and a 3hr drive north!

Stayed at Wirrina last night after the presentation dinner in our A frame cabin.
Slept better than the night before.
Visited Dad at Goolwa and had to do a bit of manual work around the place, so tried not to appear too stiff.
L Knee pulled up better in the morning than i had expected - thankfully.
Quads a bit sore - a long flight tomorrow probably not the best recovery means.

SA's only adventure race, so I had to be in it. Done all of them except last years when I was o/s. At Wirrina, so new venue sounded good.
Bused up to Second Valley Forest for 8.30am or so start. Karl and Tyson had driven the bikes to the bikedrop at 6am!!
Rogaine type start where we had to collect 3 controls in any order and then go to bikes. Only 1 other team went the same way as us to no 1 but just walking we got there in about 3rd place. Still very high up when we got the bikes.

Almost a silly mistake early on when i had trouble interpreting the map as some had been cut off where we had to go. Lifted the bikes over a fence only to decide this wasnt needed - however this put off 1 team who continued on into that forest section and ended up at Rapid Bay jetty! We were going well to no 3 where we couldnt find "the watercourse" control. Not actually near the said watercourse, which Fern had been trudging through, and they gave us no idea of side. A bit misplaced. Eventually there were about 6 teams searching for over 30 mins (our loss about 45mins) and someone found it.
Later on I made an error on a straight forward leg (no 7) and this accounted for another 10 mins plus probably. Didnt see that going straight involved turning R 200m into the leg. Last section involved an almighty descent in farmland down to Wirrina - fun.

Then got the news that the sea kayak leg had been cancelled due to rough seas! Course changed so we did 2 laps of a set course in a big dam instead but also meant that it added several kms of extra trekking. The steep hills along the shore meant i was very slow as we went to Second Valley jetty.

After the fun kayak we were 3 mins inside the cut-off to have our course shortened. We had only 63 mins to do the rest of the course to meet the supposed 3pm deadline - I knew this was impossible, but decided to take the chance that you could finish anytime if you beat the cutoff! Horrible out and back for 1 control in cliffs past the marina and then had an agonising choice to no 18. Long way around the dam, over an enormous hill or try to clamber near the dam on a steep slope below a huge cliff. Took the latter and it was hard, but luckily i had a stick that Fern had got me for support. Then it looked like we would get a swim crossing a creek but it was hip deep only but suitably invigorating! Last bit was quite fast and we finished at 3.30pm to be met in the shute by a bare chested guy with great abs wearing a ram's head and skin!
(Icebreaker brand promo)

Had all weathers - cold at start, hard rain on mtbike and sunshine for finish.
Well organised except for the fact that the map lacked detail and the controls were often hidden and not described well. Since they now have mt designs as the sponsor they no longer include puzzles, slingshots and other random fun activities but try to make it just a physical challenge. Bit of a pity - I quite liked wondering what they would come up with.

Oh yes, why was our "Orienteering metreeaters " team one short!! Luckily you could have a 2 or 3 person team as regular teammate Zara Soden was a last minute pull-out! And the excuse was one I had not even heard of in my 30+ teaching years - "got kicked on the calf by a rooster!!" As Tyson so eloquently put it "that's a cock and bull story if I ever heard one, or should that be cock and calf!" I'll only accept that one if we get to eat the said rooster.

A good day had by all. Fern and I won the womens section of the hardcore (long) course - though only women we still did well and earned our prize.
Tyson and Karl Hillyard used all their nav nouse to come 2nd in the men's - just behind Ian Fehler and Dave Clark.

C • Nice work! 1

Been doing stuff all physical this week, as too busy with OA and MTBO stuff and organising my own post woc itinerary for Italy.
went to coles this morning and only had dirhams (Dubai money) in my wallet. My house is a total mess atm with clothes, bike and trekking items everywhere. I have too much stuff - must cull.
Will have to wash the night before i leave with the adv race this weekend.
Think this might be my last "race" with partners Fern and Zara, as I will hold them up on the walk / run - knees not getting any better with age.

C • Even 2

Physio said to have more rest from bike.
parked at Gorge rd, near Ambers Gully and explored the quarry above, then up a ruddy steep hill to find a cutting and tk that I have never been on. This led out to Ghost gully - then out to Gorge rd and down. Bit slow.