Training Log Archive: silkychrome

to/from pool

i am seriously scared i won't be recovered in time for Mission so off to the pool to splash around.

bonus: remembered how to flip turn!

recovery stroll in my kili boots bc my feet/ankles are sore. well so is everything else. pretty wrecked.

Event: AR Tune Up
 

Tune-Up w Biz as team Awesome-O-Possum. oh yeah.

despite feeling absolutely horrible from yesterday (seriously, top 10 soreness experiences of my life) we knew it was going to be a battle w Tom/Kelly and Andrei/Sveta. gunned it from the start (trek, paddle, trek, bike) and tried to use our fast TAs to advantage. we rode that first bike with Tom/Kelly mostly and then started the trek in Miesville barely in front. they caught us and we co-navved that trek until CP16 where we took a slightly different route, me and Biz up on a spur and Tom/Kelly in a rocky reentrant. that gave us separation and, not knowing if we were ahead or not, Biz pushed the pace for the remainder of the trek. and I do mean pushed, he was pushing me while running across several fields. dude is awesome.

back on the bikes, Biz continuing to do most of the work in front, drafting and towing into a fierce headwind. we were constantly checking our backs and didn't see anyone behind us, but still rode scared.

then into Camp Phillippo for one last O, we focused on continuous movement and zero mistakes. map was super tricky to read but Biz adjusted and had very little stoppage time. waded waist-deep across a small inlet and the cold water made my cashed legs perk up a little. finished strong and with the win. awesome (-o-possum).

very painful weekend of racing!! but awesome experience with great teammates and competitors. and i got to see my parents. MN rocks.

C • Awesome weekend Em! 9

Event: The Boonecrusher 8hr/12hr
 

Boonecrusher 12hr w Gnome Hunters (Pete, Brian, Dave)!!!

drove up from STL friday afternoon, boys had maps all done when i got there so we just ate pizza, sorted gear, and slept. probably earliest pre-AR bedtime ever...11p!

started w a 10k road run and very soon after the turn-around i felt not good. didn't have any spark to my legs (thanks to lack of run training and OGRE last weekend) and was struggling to keep normal 12hr pace. uh oh.

onto the bikes and still not feeling awesome but a little better on the SegSlayer. singletrack was v fun but also v techy so lots of pushing. trails were super twisty so we could see/hear teams everywhere, including leaders WEDALI who we were close to at times, it was v cool. then onto gravel where Dave's RD was unable to handle his immense power and promptly exploded. we converted the bike to SS which, while annoying in a race situation, was so rad because i have never actually had to do that before. Dave continued to crush once we got going again and my legs were still crying.

rolled into TA and onto a 10k (??) O in Ledges State Park. the guys took my pack for almost all the road sections (which were several) and that helped our pace a lot. Pete nailed all the nav. and power-hiked like a maniac.

we had a downstream river paddle and opted to use race-provided single-blade paddles instead of carrying kayak paddles. we were slower here for sure but i think it was worth it to avoid hassle of paddles in packs all day. splits will give us more info here.

arrived at the take-out in 4th with 3rd in our sights, tried to push the next 5k (??) trek which was over a really interesting, high ped bridge. from that vantage point we saw 2nd and 3rd place trekking in the river bottoms which was very unique and cool. we were close to the cutoff at this point in the race which was humbling and motivating at the same time.

then biked, Dave continuing to rock his SS, everyone working well together.

last trek was converted to bike to speed teams up a little. we were stoked about that and passed 3rd place with some sweet nav courtesy Pete. worked together with Green Paw/Blind Squirrels on a CP which was fun too. then Dave's bike, determined to steal the show, flatted on the rear which left us in a bind without a functional 29" spare (we gave 1 away and mine was faulty). so threw a 26" one in there and rode on, now skipping 2 CPs and in danger of missing the final finish cutoff.

final bike was a full-team effort, everyone on tow and working to get back in time. made it with 1 minute to spare. amazing.

really fun time racing with the Gnome Hunters. thank you for towing me all over Iowa!!! also 41 North did a great job organizing this race, completely worth the drive. especially loved that racers get an entire pizza to themselves, plus cookies and beer, after finishing. obviously they know us well.

C • note to self 3

EZ ride across the park to pick up some stuff from Jeff.

felt pretty good on Tuesday after the OGRE but just got caught up in life errands and haven't done anything. meh. a small break from daily training in the middle of this 8-weekend push might be okay. excited about this weekend!!

Event: Bonk Hard OGRE
 

OGRE as a team w Jeff. yes, we did tow. not really any one to "race" with (only a few other coed teams, and solo girls that weren't getting towed) so we just tried to ride steady all day. it was so nice to have a buddy for the long haul, and we kept each other happy (hi cows!) and disciplined (sit and spin!). only a few little low spots (mile 80, mile 120) but those were solved with calories and synchronized pee breaks. can't really describe this as anything other than a long steady ride because we never really pushed pace, chased, or threw down. terrific roads, scenery, weather, crew, friends, all around great weekend. 12:42 moving time and 13:18 race time.

C • Wow. 4

quick zing around the block to work off some energy. ready for the OGRE!

EZ into work. my secret construction cut-thru is now open to traffic. hopefully that means they will keep it swept of broken glass!

also, finally put my own tires on...700x40 ritchey speedmax. crazy thing, they look the same width as the 700x33 clement LAS i was using before. which is awesome since i really liked the LAS.

back home w a stop at FS to pick up veg. also ran into The Claw in the CWE so stopped and chatted for a bit.

EZ jog to HH's to drop off cable cutters.

ToH Loop 4

another big push at the start to get myself in a group for the Katy. made it in a group of 5 and we shared the work against a fierce head/cross-wind. so cool when pacelines actually cooperate. then rode with Coach and another guy Justin for the rest of the loop, some tough kicker climbs that are 40mph downhills straight into granny-gear grunts. sooooo thankful for my gearing at this point, letting me ride everything and spin when i need to. had intentions of going out on the fifth and final loop on the weekend but decided to quit, citing next weekend's OGRE as my excuse.

a really awesome event that caters to all levels of gravel riders - beginners can just do 1 loop and tortured souls can do all 5.

C • amazing stuff. do you have... 2

Event: Tour of Hermann Gravel Stage Race
 

ToH Loop 1

pushed a little harder than normal in the beginning to get in a group for the opening miles on the flat, headwindy Katy Trail.

then stunning....STUNNING...farm scenery for 20 miles, just pedaled and enjoyed the view. gravel in great shape, packed in and fast.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52149095@N00/86509836...

rolled back into town solo, quick pit, and off to Loop 2.

ToH Loop 2

started solo but was caught by fast cx chick Trish and later a few dudes. I let Trish go but when the guys (Grothoff, Joel, Ted, hybrid-guy, and one other) came by, i felt good so hopped on their train. we were a loose group but very motivating and i felt privileged to be riding with the Coach himself. we caught and passed Trish when the gravel got really loose and deep (freshly placed!) and that is where the Warbird sang its battlecry. this bike likes it rough. cruised back into town in a trio but the others wanted to chill at their cars before going out again...not in my game plan...so hit the road solo.

ToH Loop 3

solo, solo, and more solo. faster than normal opening loops had taken a toll on me so sort of hobbled through this loop. saw no one and passed no one and no one passed me. had a low spot and actually walked a hill but quickly realized i just needed some caffeine, break out the emergency gel and all is well. a fantastic day on the bike.

recovered like it was my job on saturday night. in sleeping bag with a full belly and comp gear by 9p to give myself a fighting chance at sunday.

Fri morning MAF w MK. with my big sleep last night i felt mostly ok but we kept it on the short side for that reason and in prep for big miles this weekend.

10:02/152
9:52/152
9:47/153
9:56/154

AVG
9:54/153

added a little extra WU but was a touch fast, which probably was still inadequate based on mile times.

still the cold. blech. went to bed at 5.30p.

i thought it was a minor cold, but came home and napped instead of ran in 80F.

too lazy to deal w the SS's wheel last night so took the warrior princess.

back home w a stop at HD for some OGRE supplies

into work. tired!

evidently got a flat this morning. rear tire totally deflated when i went to leave the office. of course the one day i don't bring tools (too lazy to dig them out of this weekend's gear bag). but got a ride home w coworker! yay!

C • i now have a little seatpos... 3

big gravel ride!! 2 loops out of Mokane, MO. started w a group of 8, but rode mostly w a group of 4 and then 3 on the 2nd loop. beautiful day, great terrain, my body and bike feel fit!!

Event: Carnage at the Creek Non-Race
 

CAC2. this is an small/informal thing (19 non-racers) where teams are picked the night before depending on goals. jeff and i were both there but raced w some less experienced teams to help them out. my teammate rolled his ankle about 1/2way thru so i glommed on to another pair and we finished out the event. super chill pace, but good work on 1:24k nav and fun times.

Team Virtus is one amazing group of people!!

Friday MAF w MK. another awesome sunrise over STL skyline.

10:03/152
9:49/153
9:40/152
9:26/151
9:14/153
9:05/154

AVG
9:33/153

This is NOT how MAF tests are supposed to work. WU def felt adequate and even a bit faster than ideal. but the times just kept coming down. maybe i've turned into more of a diesel than i thought?

Nat Geo's Spring/Summer gear list interesting picks:

LED Lenser F1 flashlight
http://www.ledlenser.com/flashlight/pocket-size/f1
67g, 400 Lumens for 2h on 1 CR123 battery
sounds like a cool light for night-o when you need to ping CPs.
$59

Columbia Omni-Freeze Zero T
http://www.columbia.com/Women%27s-Freeze-Degree%E2...
interesting claim to "actively cool" in hot weather. useful for DK??
$60

Westcomb Crest Windshell
http://www.rei.com/product/846487/westcomb-crest-h...
5oz, Pertex reduces swishy jacket noise, and a hood. love these type shells and would be cool to try this one.
$140 (ouch!) (and, women's sizes anyone?)

Pladra Flannel Shirts
http://www.pladra.com/Bonefish-Blue_p_64.html
love the fabric choices on this!!
$90

Beta Brand Cycling Commuter Pants
http://www.betabrand.com/bike-to-work/gray-womens-...
my jeans are getting holes in the crotch. i want these.
$108

full list: http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/...

EZ into work. legs are empty!!!

easy urban spin plus some errands

ez jog

myrtl because my hammies/groin hurt from the lunges

run around Laumeier and Emmenegger w Jeff and David. holy climb! who needs Pere Marquette when you have Emmenegger. tripped on a downhill but did a ninja-roll and popped right back up. i rule.

because Jeff told me to. ow.