Jeff's Sporting Life: July 2014

Tahoe Trail 100km MTB XC Marathon Race 2014 @ Northstar California, USA

Saturday July 19th, I finished 300th out of 355 in Open Men and Master Men 30 to 39 I was 82nd out of 88, Results. It took me 7hrs 4mins. It was two laps long and a total of 100 km's long. My first lap took me 3hrs 20mins and my second lap took me 3hrs 44mins. The total Elevation gain was 8,484 feet. My average heart rate was 164 bpm and max was 191 bpm. The race was really close to Lake Tahoe. This was a huge race as it saw racers from all over USA including California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Texas, Oregon, New York, Washington, Virginia, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Arizona, North Carolina and even New Zealand & Mexico. I was the only Canadian to (carry the weight of a nation on my shoulders LOL) There were a lot of racers that were pro or semi pro. I had trained my but off for this race as it was my A race of the year including riding over 2,000km's in the past four month's. I would for sure say that this was my peak performance of the season. There was two category three climbs in this race and when I asked if it was compared to tour of California cat three climbs I was told yes. The start of the race was a over 7km climb that saw us climb over 1,000 feet right out of the gate a (Cat 3 climb not including the other two). The race starts 6,000 feet above sea level and climbs to over 7,300 feet, a far cry from the 2,000 feet in Edmonton. This was a climbers course as some of them seemed like they went for ever. This was a qualifier for Leadville Colorado 160km race, I was not focused on qualifying, instead I just wanted to finish and in doing so I got a medal that says I was a finisher, and as the guy put the medal on my neck I fell over the barricade because I was so sore. I cramped up a bit at the 70km mark but I pressed on and it was at that point that the race became 100% mental as your body is saying stop. There was a time cut of eight hours to complete the race. The race had about 45% single track and then it used the fire roads for the climbs and a few down hills.

My friend Martin P and I drove down to the race (23 hours over two days) as it was a road trip and vacation. The temperature was 31 deg C and it added to a already hard day. A huge thanks to all the volunteers and Lifetime Athletic Events for putting on the race.

Start going through Northstar, Pic by Martin P

Finishing lap #1 50kms down 50kms to go heading into feed zone. Pic by Martin P

Just finished 50kms and about to start the climb, Pic by Martin P

I love climbing! Pic by Martin P

I love climbing! I did pass the racer ahead of me. Pic by Martin P

Ah yes, The finish, Pic by Martin P

I could not even stand up straight as I was so sore, Pic by Martin P

So tired and sore But the best feeling of finishing with my medal. Pic by Martin P

Fat Tire MTB XC Race 2014 #1

Tuesday July 8th, @ Terwillegar Park, I finished last place and did four laps. It was 15 kms long and it took me 58 minutes. My average heart rate was 173 bpm and Max 194 bpm. Total elevation gain 965 ft. It was 28 deg C and a perfect night. I had a good first lap and I had a couple racers in sight and then I went the wrong way on lap two and lost about two minutes. I finished strong with a good lap three and four. When the elite racers lapped me I tried to stay on their wheels but just could not, I was braking way too much and for them I didn't hear a single brake as they just flowed through the trails. Thanks to the guys @ Kokanee Redbike Race Team for putting on the race. After the race I did a cool down ride with James J and Justin S two Expert racers and we went for about 40 minutes and did 12 kms. Tonight I road a total of 27 Kms.

River Raid MTB XC Race 2014 @ Devon (Alberta Cup) #2

Sunday July 6th, I finished 26th out of 28 in Sport Results. It took me 1hr & 23mins. It was two laps and a total of 20 km's long. It took me 44mins on lap1 and 39mins for lap2. The total Elevation gain was 1,352 feet. My average heart rate was 182 bpm and max was 201 bpm. Today was pure struggle for me and my body as it shut down on me mid way on lap one. I will not make any excuses as today was a B race for me and was not my focus but it didn't help that I was called into work early on the holiday Tuesday (Canada Day) and then on Saturday morning @ 2:30am and was there for a long time. The thing that I am most proud of was that yes my body was not working properly today so instead on giving up I posted a second lap that was five minutes faster to give me some confidence. Today was a fun day as an old team mate from River Valley Cycle was racing Gord B and we have not raced in the same race since 2011, unfortunately his de-railer broke, another old RVC team mate Sheldon S and his family including two young children came out to watch and cheer, thanks for the support Sheldon S. The course was different this year, it was longer and harder with wide open spots to sprint, mixed with some long steep climbs, and technical decents. The temperature was 26 deg C. A huge thanks to all the volunteers and Devon Bicycle Association and Evan W, Stew H for putting on the race.

You can not tell but this is a long climb, pic by Nancy St-H

Pic by Leanne E, Gord B right behind me.

Pic by Leanne E, and also was cheering.

July 2014 Training

Fri 25th, MTB climb up Marshall Mountain and MT. Jumbo Missoula Montana for 3hrs. Average heart rate =148 max =193, Elevation gain 4,190 feet. Kms 32

Tues 22nd, MTB climb up Bogus Basin Mountain Boise Idaho for 3hrs 12mins. Average heart rate =143 max =178, Elevation gain 3,787 feet. Kms 50

Thur 17th, MTB climb pre lap of Tahoe Trail @ Northstar California for 1hr 14mins. Average heart rate =153 max =192, Elevation gain 1,568 feet. Kms 17

Sat 12th, MTB ride Terwillegar Park to Sunridge Ski Hill for 4hrs 41mins. Average heart rate =146 max =186, Elevation gain 2,979 feet. Kms 64

Thur 3rd, Road ride @ Colchester Hall for 1hr 36mins (Sweetspot Workout 40mins) Average heart rate =137 max =179, Elevation gain 545 feet. Kms 44

Tue 1st, Road ride to Beaumont for 1hr 43mins (Threshold interval 40mins). Average heart rate =140 max =180, Total elevation gain 528 feet. Kms 47

Video climb up Bogus Basin Mountain Boise Idaho (51 seconds)