Training Log Archive: vlin

Ride at Lake Fairfax trails. Front brake was rubbing (has been for a while) so decided to try a trail side fix. Brake pad spring got misaligned and was scraping, wanted to remove the pad completely, but couldn't remove the retaining pin with tools so rode back with a scraping brake pad, thinking I could get to the bike shop before it closes. Also had a feeling that the cause of all the problems was worn down pads. And according to the bike mechanic, yes, the pads were completely worn down to nothing/bare metal. Note to self, 13 months is too long not to change brake pads, ~800 miles according to training log. Also getting a new chain installed.

After eye exam, W&OD from YMCA, warm weather

Wakefield, flood conditions

Bike trail at Fountainhead, with minimal stops

Burke to Merrifield to Vienna. Return Vienna to Fairfax to Burke.
Trails, sidewalks, W&OD, CCT.

Walked around wakefield, evaluating what hurts. Back to normal meals.

Didn't feel hungry, but ate 6-inch sub and juice, then milk.
Started sipping gatorade, and still feel dehydrated.
6-inch sub, pizza, juice. apple, gatorade, apple, big salad, pizza, bread, juice

Second "half" of the MMT100, mile 64-104, from 9PM Sat. Picked up jasonreed as pacer. Wheels started to fall off around at mile 78, visitors center aid station. Could not eat anything or drink much due to stomach issues from here until race finish 12 hours later, and getting really tired. In addition to a stomach shutdown, no body temperature regulation due to dehydrated state, same as at untamed last year. Only took occasional sips of water and energy drink (sugar water), later on only water, then only water and spitting it out just to prevent dry mouth. Attempted sips of coffee, ginger ale at some aid stations but immediately started to upset stomach. Last 4 aid stations, ~26 miles, basically did not need water bottle refills or any food. Had do lower the pace to manage this, but learned that my body can be a slow fat burning machine, able to complete a 11-hour mountain marathon/hike on <1 bottle of water and no food. If the temps were not perfect all night and day 2, I would have overheated in an instant. Feet were beatan down by the end, but I refused to treat the pain with advil. This section of the race was epic. Everything was more technical, steeper, felt longer than anything in the first "half".

C • Woot!! 2

Post race nap, no refueling. A few gulps of water, shower, move out of bunk, everything is empty by 7 PM when I get back to try to get drop bags. I need to get my $200 headlamp and all my dry bags back.

First post race food, a 7-11 slurpee, cooled me down, and was able to stomach it, a good sign. Then bought a footlong sub, but decided to save for later then went to bed. Body was hot and cold, felt like overheating and got ice pack to cool down, but then felt like a fever. Definitely still dehydrated.

Event: Odyssey Wild, Wonderful 24 Hour AR
 

First "half" of MMT100 to Camp Roosevelt, mile 64. Did not push the pace. Legs weren't fresh in the start, so got a bit behind my estimated aid station times. Weather was perfect, no rain, overcast, generally cool. Things were going really well, decent pace, staying fueled, feet were not destroyed. Last 10 miles, less walking than in previous years and felt good to continue, not at all tempted to DNF, especially with pacer to join in.

Lake Fairfax singletrack, last session before MMT 100.

Easy run on technical singletrack at Lake Fairfax Park. Intentionally ran on the rocky and uneven parts of the trail.

W&OD. Felt long, need to taper.

W&OD easy

W&OD, easy run

W&OD. Faster pace, due to incoming storms. Somewhat empty stomach.

W&OD. Mostly shuffle pace, faster at the end to get finished in time. Empty stomach run.

W&OD. Humid. Empty stomach run.

Event: QOC Morven Park Night-O
 

Night-O. New terrain and map. Ran very fast for most of the course. In the steep woods at first, then mostly open fields for the majority of the points, but still tricky to navigate at night. Briefly looked at the map before the race, but remembered the safe route with more trails is usually better in night-o. Started a bit off going to 1, so I tried to be more careful and precise. Everything was going smooth and fast, lucky to follow Ted into 5 as I was a bit confused, but in the vicinity. Perfect going into fields to 6 but then ran too fast to 7, losing where I was in the open and/or going OB unmapped area. Lost time in hesitation, turning round, not relocating off features (e.g. right next to a big house, duh). Relocated by seeing which direction fast runners went right past me. Another dumb mistake to 10, leaving the correct trail thinking it was wrong and fighting through a big section of green. Everything else was smooth, Ted followed and passed me at the end. We were back and forth a bit on the course. He influenced my route to the go control - he was running fast to pass me on the road option, and I gave up going direct to follow him. It was amusing seeing him on the course, wearing all orange, and he later explained he took intentionally bad routes to get away from other runners with big lights and didn't spot some controls as fast with his light. I spotted every control easily with my good light, and did minimal following, was happy with that.

Long Adv - Splits

W&OD easier run. Empty stomach run.

W&OD trail. Empty stomach run.

Different loops at Lake Fairfax. It is possible to get a good workout riding these trails without repeating them. A few meetup group riders but didn't get in my way too much. A1 cycling tent at the trailhead having some event. On the trail near the end, a group ride was finishing, and one guy was riding with one hand and holding onto another bike rolling beside him, then almost fell over when going through a rooty rocky section.