Training Log Archive: revy

Run the Wild at Station Flats, Bragg Creek. Nicki and crew put on another great event and nice to spend some time running around what was my back yard as a teen. Raced with Larry who I hadn't seen in a while so good to catch up. Didn't push hard since Larry is not a runner but just kept a solid steady pace with the occasional jogging.

Race started on the elbow springs map with a short lemans start. Everyone got a list of 4 countries and a map with 8 controls on it. The controls were marked with country flags. Luckily my geography knowledge meant that we went to the right four controls and were the first back to collect the map for the second stage. Next was a point to point orienteering section broken up by a walk the line section with an unknown number of controls on it. Did that pretty deliberately but no mistakes. A couple teams caught up to us at this point (Damian K and the norwegian guys). The young guys seem to take off but we later found out that was because they screwed up one of the controls. When you hit the proper control the SI box was 100m NE of it. They had stumbled on the SI box on their way to the control so saved a little time not backtracking. Unfortunately they forgot to take a copy of the extra map showing one of the controls on the rogaine map with them making it impossible for them to clear the course...

We finished the second section in third and then took our time climbing Fullerton Loop to strategize the rogaine section. It wasn't hard to place the extra control. The transfer between maps was using written instructions in the spirit of the Barkley Marathons (which Nicki had just participated in this year). We found the book and grabbed a page to prove we were there and continued on to the rogaine map. Followed the route that Bobcat will use - looks like they are starting to build it. Should be a nice connector.

Overall was quite happy with how things went on the next section. Good route choice, only a couple small 2-3 minute bobbles, lots of spiked controls (some a bit lucky as ideally we should have been hitting a catching feature a bit off to the side. Larry was feeling some cramping in his legs so still not pushing it too hard until the last several controls to ensure we cleared the course. We ended up finishing with about 15 minutes to spare and won the overall. The young guys finished 45 minutes ahead of us but didn't get control 51 (the extra map).

Lots of great scenic control locations - a well thought out course. Weather was good - glad it wasn't too hot as I forgot to put electrolytes in my water. Seemed to survive though. Distance is an estimate.

Out for the morning with some guys from TransRockies showing them a tentative bike course for a new race they are planning for next summer called Singletrack Six. Hit alot of the trails - shortened the loop slightly due to time constraints and missed SOB. Course would start and finish in town so would be closer to 50 km. Slow pace as I think they were tired from several days of course testing - we were their last stop. I think tentative plan is Bragg Creek, Nipika, Radium, Golden for two days and here.

C • Singletrack Six 2

Morning run with Courtney on the greenbelt. Easy to start, then some drills, then three one minute speed sections. Feeling a little tired after the big day Monday and the race yesterday.

First ever RCA road twoonie race. Two lap road race on Airport Way. Wasn't sure what the turn out was going to be but almost 20 people showed up. Surprised to see almost everyone to stick together to the end of the first lap. Did a couple attacks just for fun but legs were tired from yesterday and I am not a sprinter so never had a chance at the intermediate sprints. Stuart attacked on the hill near the Cartier trailhead and split the group. Four riders were off the front so worked hard with Thom and Brook to bridge the gap. Ended up as a group of 9. A slower ride back as there was a headwind and no one wanted to work on the front but the pace ramped up as we neared the finish. I think I was 7th in the end. Fun race.

C • Cool! 3

Slightly shortened masters swimming. Some good 50m repeats and a 400m best time (pull only) to finish off.

Larch Hills traverse with Brett. Rode from Sicamous to Rubberhead and back on the highway. Climb up the first section went quick - around half an hour. Was a bit tired on this climb but things got better as I warmed up. A fair bit of deadfall bit that was too be expected. Trail was otherwise in great shape. The new Raspberry Hill section was a good climb. Better than the road for sure. We were both feeling the heat at that point though - warm day. Super fun descent down Killer Lumberjack and Sideshow. Hit them higher than last time. Rode back on the hwy which was faster than expected - a little under 40 minutes. 3:50 running time.



For some reason the gpx file from Brett' map my ride software doesn' want to load onto AP so posting the link instead.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/299666913

Downhill twoonie race on TNT plus some riding to get to the start in a roundabout fashion. Chainless so that added to the challenge. Mistakes are amplified since you can't pedal to regain speed. Pretty sloppy out there and rode pretty conservatively to not go off the trail. A few little mistakes cost me 10 -15 seconds? Finished right around where I expected - middle of the pack and about 30 seconds behind the winners (4 minute winning time).