Training Log Archive: silkychrome

ToH Loop 4

guess what! me and Maria missed the start AGAIN! but whatevs, we rolled out about 10min after the pack and just cruised. made some new friends (Sarah from Sunflower Bikes) and had a fortuitous meeting w SuperKate who re-upped us on much-needed chammy butter. took things EZ esp since Maria was feeling the pain on her mtb. skipping Loop 5 started to look really appealing. i tried to suggest that to Maria and she shut me down. "think about all of the horrible winter days when we couldn't ride out bikes, now we have perfect weather, so we HAVE to do Loop 5". thus, it was decided.

ToH Loop 5. Garmin died at mile 16. revived it for a bit but it died again. sort of like my mojo!

the elusive Loop 5 at Tour of Hermann Gravel Challenge. intended by many, completed by few. i girded my ass w a second pair of shorts and headed out solo into the unknown. i didn't feel particularly enthused but Maria was right - Loop 5 NEEDED to be ridden in honor of all those still fighting the winter. caught some confused KC-ers early and rode w them for a bit, again the Thunder Chicken keeping me in the mix on the downhills and loose stuff while the stronger riders crushed me uphill. but soon enough i was by myself again, and then the Garmin died, so i was REALLY by myself. had several pity parties, and even STOPPED more than once to just...stop. struggle street! i even started venturing into the "i am too slow to be out here" mental zone, which i realized and only let half of my brain go there while the other half said "it's okay to wallow in negativity as long as you pull yourself out of it after a few miles". so i wallowed for a bit and then was caught by Danny the moto man, clearing the course markings. he gave me some options and i decided to stay on the full course. screw you nasty winter!

finally i did take a shortcut, cutting off about 4 miles from the full Loop, because i felt bad for event staff that i was slow. turns out there were 5-6 other riders that finished shortly after me who did the whole thing. so i wasn't too far off. really smashed at the end of this. i felt way less fit than last year!

i was trying some different things w nutrition, using only water and solid food w very little sugar. i never bonked but def did not feel optimally fueled. a little frustrating but might as well test these things when the stakes are low.

C • You are awesome 3

Event: 180 Adventure Stubborn Fool Sprint AR
 

Event: Ouachita Challenge 60mi MTB Tour & Race
 

Event: Tour of Hermann Gravel Challenge
 

ToH Loop 1 (shortened from last year to avoid flooded road)

started late due to late arrival and last-minute saddle adjustments. BUT Maria was late too so we rolled out together and just chatted for the whole loop. stoked to spend an entire weekend outside, w my friends, on the Warrior Princess. yes.

ToH Loop 2

again w Maria! Team Noah FTW! deeper gravel on this loop, and more climb. in the middle somewhere we had a super sketch downhill - i was trying to pass a rider, and then hit a mega-rutted-out section at 25+ mph. one of those moments where you have to let go of the brakes, sit back, and just pray. the Battle Finch took care of me. this bike can do it all.

10min slower than last year. but also 10bpm lower AHR. so there's that.

ToH Loop 3

headed out solo bc Maria wanted a longer pit. got passed by DaVita girl on the opening gravel climb but decided i should try to hang w her so passed her back. let me tell you what, Gasconade County has its shit together bc there was fresh, deep, chunky gravel ALL OVER these roads. and the Combat Pigeon loved it. i was able to stay away from DaVita girl purely by bombing the downhills and motoring on the loose stuff. and then when we hit the pavement for return to Hermann she caught and crushed me! oh boo.

dinner at Wings A Blahzin w Team Noah and a jerk. not as disciplined w recovery as last year but this was way more fun.

judging by my two zero days this week, you might've been able to guess that work is kicking my ass! we start our first solar array install next week so lots of little details popping up that need to be addressed. hopefully the next 7 sites are not nearly as needy. took a long lunch today for a run.

WU:
5min ski, foam roll, 3x10 SD, 2x15 WS, 3x5 GS.
THEN:
4x(30/30/60) mtn climber, FLR, rest.
THEN:
4 rounds of: 4x 25#s KB clean/jerk, 40m bear crawl, rest 1min.
THEN:
4 rounds of: 4x 15#s DB renegade (wo)man-maker, 15x 53# KBS, rest 1min.
THEN:
10x 20# ball slam, plank pull to failure, rest 1min. (8, 7, 7, 6)
THEN:
500cal relay row.

big crew at FYF tonight. so glad it's friday.

wow, it's pretty windy.
wow, the wind is making a lot of noise in the trees.
oh, that's a tornado siren.

"But the truth is, I am blissfully content at forever pace. It's one thing to feel fast, and another to feel like you can propel yourself enormous distances without pain or fatigue. I guess I'm more of an exception in the racing crowd, but it must be obvious by now that I'd choose the latter over the former."
Jill Homer
http://arcticglass.blogspot.com/2014/04/white-moun...

C • Love this.... 3

i had a wild hair to ride Marshall Rd on my SS, so that's what i did. got to the bottom of the hill and was serenaded by 'nado sirens for the second time today. at least this time i beat the hail.

50F at 0500, does this mean it's finally spring? my legs usually hate days off and this morning was no exception.

WU:
10min row, foam roll, 5x5 WS, 2x15 AS, 2x10 SD, 2x20m lunge, 2x20m OH lunge 10#
THEN:
Goblet Squat Ladder: 2 rounds of 10x (20#, 25#, 36#, 45#, 53#)
KBS Ladder: 2 rounds of 10x (20#, 25#, 36#, 45#, 53#)
THEN:
5 rounds of: 10x DL 75#, 10x RDL off box 45#, rest.
THEN:
2 rounds of 2x (30/30) push press w 2 10# DBs.

w Brett, who had a stellar race yesterday! i told Matt my back was my weakest link so we will be incorporating more KBS and DL to work on that. good sesh, the work w the 53# KB was hard!

C • i've also been thinking my ... 9

mondays, not awesome.