Training Log Archive: cmorse

Quick rocket run out to woodlake and back. Haven't ridden solo and hard at all this year, so figured I'd see what kind of pathetic shape I'm in. Decent ride, up into the low 40's (kph) on a couple long gentle downhills though the rhythmic thump from my back tire tells me I should replace it before it blows out on me...

Considering the possibility of selling this bike (though I love it - it's heavy and thus slow climbing) for a lighter, more responsive 'bent. Don't want to part with the USS steering but lightweight USS bikes are all foreign and quite pricey. Always tradeoffs I guess...

Afternoon ride w/ Hayden - quite a pleasant day to be riding, but he called it short at an hour.

C • See my 2

5K at Forest Park - course new to me, wound up getting cajolled into starting on the line - off down the road and turned the first corner at 50m with 3 very fast guys in front of me and everyone else behind - told myself not to chase the leaders and go out too early, but their pace didn't seem all that brisk so I stuck with them. Down the hill and then right onto some really muddy single track along the bottom with a small stream crossing - guys in front of me were dancing about a bit trying to stay less muddy when in fact there was no way to avoid it - I just plowed ahead including the stream where they bounded across on a plank - still with them when the trail turned up and not breathing hard at all.

About 6-7 minutes in they began to pull away slowly and I didn't try to chase, but kept them in sight as long as possible to avoid any missed turns. Wound up with only one bobble after they were out of sight when the trail popped out onto a road with arrows going both ways - no sign of bodies either direction so I started right but then a course official came riding up and said other way - so about 5 seconds hesitation.

In no mans land until about 15-16 minutes in when I finally saw someone behind me. Figured I'd get reeled in by the pack but tried to stay steady knowing what the final hill looked like and hold something in reserve. Began what I fathomed must be the final downhill into the ravine again and really opened it up to hopefully leave no option for being caught, then across the stream and powered up the hill to the finish with no one in sight. 16 seconds under my random estimate of 2230 to finish right where I began - in 4th place. Rather odd sensation to run a race and not get passed, nor be passed in the entire race - must mean I was running pretty consistently - at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

climb is a total wag....

Nice to get out...

C • Nice! 3

Got to the park early, so went for a half hour fairly easy running. Ran many of the course trails, but must have been real early as none of the markings were out yet. Also includes about 5 minutes jog back to the car afterwards.

Took Hayden to Wickham Park for race #4 in the series. He ran the mile but had some issues and walked much of the 2nd half mile. No one to watch Hayden, so I didn't get an opportunity to run. Might try to get up to Forest Park on Wednesday.