Training Log Archive: FoxShadow

Had a great ride at the long today. Of course, some bobbles here and there, maybe 5 minutes max, but overall I finally was taking in all of the information on the map, and really getting into a comfortable groove. I had a blast!

Of course, didn't beat many riders, as the long course is limited to the top riders in the world, but I'm so happy to be leaving with my best effort laid out on the final day here in Estonia.

Thanks to everyone who helped me get here, it was a brilliant experience.

Perhaps more later, I need to eat. And shower. And go back to the US.

Thanks to tRicky for the jersey swap.

C • Better than a wife swap 1

warm up before the long, nice and easy.

MTBO Worlds. Relay.

Started out much more calm today, able to read the map from the gun. Of course, this also meant that I went out faily slowly. I was in about 25th of 31 after the 2nd control, it seemed.

From 5 to 6 I headed off to the 23rd control, located right along my route, and I can spun my map upsidedown and was not reading the numbers as well as I should have. Only a minute lost though, I'd suspect.

The rest of the first map was fairly smooth, although I felt slow, but only because other riders were screaming around so fast. I did take a correct turn down a road only to get yelled at in Estonian, so I turned around for fear that it was out of bounds and they were trying to help. I changed my route, and I suspect it cost over a minute. In retrospect, I think they were either cheering me, or just being crazy. Oh well, thanks goodness it did not cost out team anything.

I finished a few minutes back of a few team, and just ahead of the Japanese, whch was one goal of mine of course. A decent ride, if not a bit slow and methodical - out number one priority was to punch clean and avoid a DQ - mission accomplished.

Felt good to have the top american finish again today.

Headed out with the group to spin out the legs today. It was a bit wet but it was nice to get some good practice on the map, as we had the model event map that borders tomorrow's relay course on our map boards.

After a bit of map practice we spun out into the country for 30 minutes. I should have come in after that but I wanted to get more practice on the map, which was nice, but a 75 minute ride is too long for an active recovery day. It's ok, I went nice and easy, and every bit of navigational practice is very helpful.

Warm up for the middle distance. Hill repeats, mostly at an easy pace. The warm-up area was on what must have been the bunny hill - no lift there anymore despite it being shown on the map.

MTBO Worlds. The middle distance race.

Out of the start I was trying my best to chill out and read the map. I had the route to #1 fairly well memorized - but had to stop for at least 10 seconds to confirm my location at one point. Then on to number two. This control was maddening in retrospect - I just failed to see my tiny right hand turn. What's more, my compass was reading SW as I passed the trail, but the trail is shows and WSW on the map. I know, it's a small difference, but I was almost trying so hard that it made it worse. Maddening. My split was 8:07 when I finally found the control, and my chances at a top half result were already gone.

But there is good news. My mind had slowed down now. Off to #3 I went, executed my plan well, same with #4, the spectator control. Then throughout the rest of the day I was on. Not perfect, and a disappointing bobble at both #7 and #8, but a look at my splits shows that I was moving at mid-pack or better paces for the rest of the race. I am happy with that, of course. the caveat being that I was pulled along by two riders, each for 3-5 controls. But that's part of the sport, and I'm happy to say that I showed him one of the controls at one point as well, so I was at least partially on the map. I have always been a decent follower/goat racer.

It is my hope that I can stay on the map as well as take advantage of being what the austrians call a "busrider" on the long course.

The result was that I beat 17 riders. I am happy with that. I'd like to repeat that result in the long event, if not improve. Today's ride overall was good all things considered. I had the 2nd fastest split at the finish sprint, the 14th fastest to #9, a 24th fastest, and a handful of other competitive splits.

Tomorrow though, is the relay, and following will generally be a very dangerous proposition, so again the challenge is to slow the mind, and read the map, despite the violent shaking of the bike and strenuous effort of trail riding. The austrians tell me that with practice the sport really slows down, I am only seeing this during limited periods, but I can see it. Just need to find it more often in the coming days. If not, then I'll be the best busrider I can be.

In other news, my fantasy MTBO team is terrible. Argh.

Last note. I could not be happier with my fitness on the bike. I have not had an off day yet this trip (knock on wood), and generally feel like I can hang with all but the fastest riders out there. Hopefully that bodes well for doing back to back AR nationals this fall.

C • Compass 2

MTBO Worlds. A humbling kick to the jimmy on today's sprint map. It was just madness! I was not prepared for the many many visible controls on course, or the difficulty to relocating on the map in the bumpy terrain. The result was fine, really about where I thought I would be when I left the states, but I have since moved my expectations higher. They remain high, despite today's humbling results. Joe and I finished next to each other in 73rd and 74th place out of about 80 official finishers, and about 100 starters (there were 15-20 mispunches today, which is no surpise given the maddening complexity of the map).

Looking forward to tomorrow a great deal. Onward!

EDIT: joe and move up to 57th and 58th overall after 20 eliteen are busted in the pink/out of bounds areas and are disqualified. Top two thirds baby.

Note to self: mount board perfectly flat tomorrow, seemed to be getting some compass sticking. Also, go slow at the beginning if at all humanly possible.

C • many controls 7

what, you warmed up longer than you raced? Yes I did. I had four hours in quarantine.

C • That's a long time! 2

Event: 2013 WMTBOC - West-Viru, ESTONIA
 

Today's terrain was awesome! Gorgeous open woods. Undulating terrain with pine trees, smooth moss and ground cover type veg that was largely ridable underneath. Today was the first day in which we could just set a compass bearing and cruise cross country. I did so, to only a small advantage, on three occasions.

The map, without the course, is available here: http://www.orienteerumine.ee/kaart/db/kaart/201208...

I rode slower today. The first four sessions I was going 80-90%, trying to get a decent race day simulation. Today my legs were a bit sore, and just two days out from the sprint, I took it easy, between 60-70% effort generally.

My nav was good, and at today's slower speeds my brain was processing much more information - even reading the contour lines, which to come clean, was a first.

I really had a blast at training camp, just a awesome time. I love the sport, and to do it with 10 other countries and their top athletes all around me, in 70 degree and sunny weather was a special treat. I am so appreciative of the opportunity to be here competing. Many thanks to O-USA, MNOC, and everyone who helped get me here!

C • Cool map 3

warm up and cool down.