Training Log Archive: falcon

Event: Xterr World Championships
 

The strap holding my timing chip got broken in the swim by another swimmer.
Had to reach down, grab it and stuff it into my suit. I stooped to swipe it on the swim exit as well as any other mat that I thought was around. It was mounted on my bike shoe (velcro strap) for the ride and I had to run with it in my hand on the run.
I handed it to the finish officials and they clearly took over a minute to register it and my splits were not registered. I'm not in the live results so I don't even know if that'll get fixed.
My finish time was just 3:07:18, good for 12th place in 35-39. I passed 3 guys in my category on the run.

C • Awesome result! 3

What a washing machine! Choppy as hell, breaking waves and guys groping like crazy for the first few hundred metres - leading to my timing chip problems.
Looking at the GPS track, I clearly did not swim the best lines. It felt like that and I know I had a few corrections on course that correspond to the kinks.
Swam an extra 180m or so which takes me over 3 minutes to swim in the pool. Plus the frigging around with my timing chip makes some room for improvement!

This split is deceptively long as it includes my T1 time (run from the mat at the beach, spending time trying to re-attach my timing chip and getting rolling). Most others had T1's in the 2 minute range but mine is close to 4 1/2 minutes.
This put me at the back of the mule train heading off on the 3 miles of single track out of the start. Passed lots of people but on the back of large packs.
Dropped the chain on one gully crossing for a short unplanned stop. Missing the 4th gear in the back from swapping wheels last night which was a bit frustrating but managed to work around it. Saw lots of other mechanicals being fixed on the way so I don't feel too bad.
Dusty as hell on the long descents from the top. My contact lenses were so dry I had to back off from the bike in front. Still, I felt rested at the bottom and able to push from mile 13 on home. Drank 1.75 litres of Gatorade and ate 2 GU gels. Mmm, mmm.

I was actually a bit longer than this since I forgot to change my watch until about 100m into the run. Still, I had one of the top few run splits in my category. Passed lots of people including at least 3 and did not get passed. Hamstrings started cramping just at the end of the run so happy about that. Didn't take Gatorade except at the station just before the big gully. Otherwise threw cold water on the face and over the head.

Practicing ins and outs with Cheryl. 4-6 foot faces, but breaks between sets and a friendly beach surface made it a blast!

Rest day. Went to the conference.

Forgot to take the Garmin for this training ride around the Xterra bike course. Changed from last year to some more 'technical' single track and long haul climbs. Not really a destination bike course but challenging all the same. Some of the long hill climbs are going to be killers in the sun!

Cruised around the Xterra run course. I like this course! It's tough and hilly and lots of turns. Not much straight-away running but quite physical. Some fast running in the last mile down to the beach. Will be interesting to see if the legs will hang on through the bike to have a strong run.

C • good luck 1

Morning swim at Ka'anipali.

Very easy jog with John after landing in Lahaina. Mostly just to say we did something.

Spent the day running errands, unpacking and re-packing.