Training Log Archive: nmulder

0830 - Day 2 of the Dullstroom Dirty double was a 38km loop course starting and finishing at Dullstroom Dam, cycling via the Verloorenvallei Nature Reserve. Eugene and I had a 45 sec lead to defend from McCains for 3rd overall. We started well, getting away early on the long climb to Verloorenvallei, but Eugene had another problem with his rear dereilleur / chain on a downhill. 3 minutes to replace which put us down to 5th, with Ryan / Gerran and a mixed team (Laetitia Botha / Charl Keet) passing us. We pushed hard for a few kms to catch these 2 again, doing so just upon exiting the reserve. The final 18km was easy terrain but thankfully Ryan was a bit blown, giving us a bit of time to open a gap. Laetitia and Charl were on top form however, coming past us on a gentle up climb on a dirt road with about 8km to go. We tried to hang on, but they had scented the finish line. Held onto 4th though, enough to take 3rd place overall for the 2-day race. Once again a lovely course with good route marking and challenging terrain. One for next year's calendar.

0815 - Day 1 of the Dullstroom Dirty Double, a pairs race starting at Lakenvlei Forest Lodge and finishing 56km later at Dullstroom Dam. Lovely route following a jeep track almost the entire way to Dullstroom. Quite a technical course with a lot of tough, long climbs through various valleys, resulting in about 1200m of climb. Raced with Eugene as Mac was unavailable. We started well in about 5/6th position, then moved into 3rd with Team McCains (Ryan and Gerran) chasing us. Opened a 1.5min gap up the biggest hill of the day, but Eugene broke a chain near the top. Took us 5 - 6 mins to repair before we set off again in about 6th. A few more hills saw us catch everyone up again and retake 3rd. We opened another gap which decreased slightly towards the end of the day as the terrain became flat and down over the last 10km.

1550 - Went for a training session in the Ruins area at Belfast. Michele designed a course for us. Good final prep for WOC, but wasn't feeling so great physically for some reason. Attention mistakes were also a big problem. The Rogaine in November should be great as the forest guys seem to have finally worked out that clearing the undergrowth in the forest is good fire prevention!

Travelling to the Dirty Double (2 day MTB race) in Dullstroom this evening...

0800 - Up Potgieter, Florida, to Westgate and back via Constantia Kloof.

1745 - Legs didn't feel so great tonight, slowest time in 3 weeks or so. Time for a rest break.

0800 - Very slow run through Fairland.

1730 - Nice night on Florida Lake. Not as cold as I was expecting. Got lucky and was able to ride a wave (Bertie's K2 and another K1) for almost all 10 laps. Not so great for physical training, but good technical experience from trying to feel the wave in the dark. New PB! It was almost 3 years old.

0800 - Short ride through Randpark, Weltevreden Park and Fairland.

1745 - Had another hard TT, trying to get close to my PB (20:53 or so). Went quite well tonight, with the breathing good. Legs were tired for first 2km, but they just lack a bit of speed still. Splits were: 4:15, 4:16, 4:03, 4:30, 4:13. Could have pushed the last km harder if there had been someone nearby to race against. I still think 3 is short.

1600 - 13 long laps on Emmies, 6 of them in a fast diamond. Eventually had to fall off the bunch.