Hi everyone, figured I’d report back on how 2022 went in case someone is looking for info in the future. So long recap post to follow that hopefully someone finds useful in the coming years.
Note I was going in as a marathon rookie vs. an experienced racer. My goal was to finish and enjoy it enough that I would want to do it, or something similar, again. Goal achieved!
Numbers (metric and rounded)
Distance: 160 km
Elevation: 2850m
Heat: 30c+ in the afternoon. Started out cool, got really really hot.
FTP 310 w
Weight 85 kg
W/kg 3.65
Age: 50
Time: 10:17 race time. Right around 16 km/h. Biking time was 10:02
Place: 27th in the 50+ division, maybe 70+ riders? I was in this to finish, not place, but there you go.
Due to a heavy snow fall year there was less climbing in 2022 than normal. Talking to people who have done this multiple times the course and times were faster then in previous years.
Setup
Yeti SB100
Ardent Race
Trails:
So good. Smooth, flowy and super fun. There are a few rock gardens that have derailleur rippers you need to be careful on, but other than that it was just a good time.
As context I am from Vancouver Island in BC. So my riding consists of local VI trails, North Shore, Whistler, Squamish etc. I hit more roots in the first few km of a local ride then I did in the first 80 km of this event. I would have no issues riding a gravel bike on 99% of the HC trails. Don’t get me wrong, a full suspension MB was the right call, but the trails were not technical or physical and I loved every moment of them.
Tires worked great. At home I run Minions and have never run an XC tire before. But they rolled fine and I had no issues with grip in the corners. The trails and berms are loose, bordering on sandy, but the side knobs dug in and I never felt like I was on the edge of traction.
Nutrition
1 x maurten 320 every hour, 1 x maurten gel every hour (few misses), 250 mg x electrolyte tab every hour (few misses) and 4 mini cokes.
Historically I’m prone to gut issues on longer hot rides. I switched to Maurten for this event and have been using it in training for the last 6 months. It worked great, no gut discomfort or anything like that. If I did this again (hoping to) I’d tweak things so I could be faster in the transitions as I feel like I wasted 15 minutes or so there. But for my first time doing something like this couldn’t have been happier with how my nutrition went.
Training
Our family downhill skis Dec - April. Like the majority of people on this forum, I have a busy high stress job, kids and other obligations. This means I’m lucky to ride 3 - 4 hours/week in the winter. I used train now and tried to do one 75-90 minute ride per week. I also did 3 or 4x 15 minute yoga/core sessions per week and some bodyweight stuff. I’m getting older and stiffer, so mobility and strength makes a huge difference for me when MB (and skiing!).
Once skiing ended I became more structured and was riding in the 8 -10 h/week range. Generally 2 trainer sessions for intervals, a longer weekend ride on either the MB or gravel bike, and some fun technical rides. I did not use a TR training plan, but if I had I would have chosen a LV plan and added in one long zone 2 ride and 1 or 2 technical rides.
Only had about 3 rides over 4 hours before the event with the longest one being a 5 hour gravel race. That was not by design, that is just the way life unfolded. I did get lots of rides in the 2- 3 hour range.
Not having many long rides concerned me going into the event. But during training I focused on consistency and subscribed to the ‘something is better than nothing’ motto when I changed a workout around because of life demands. That mindset kept me positive and on track and I think made a difference even without getting those long rides in. (see issues though)
Issues
Hands and feet.
Wrists and hands got really sore. Think I need to tweak my bike position and get cushier grips.
Feet - had some brutal hot spots . Honestly thought my foot was going to be a bloody mess when I took my sock off at the end. Imagine my surprise when nothing that noticeable, just hurt like a @!#$
Had I gotten in my planned long training rides, I think I would have identified and dealt with these before the event. Both issues kicked in around the 7 hour mark. I think they are manageable , just didn’t have the knowledge the first time around.
All in all this was an amazing event, really well run, amazing trails and I had an awesome time. Life logistics aside I would to it again in a heartbeat.
Cheers
