LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

Xia · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 874 Location: Geneva (Suisse)

For this winter I have signed up for monsterman series
Its a duathlon base on cross country running and mountain bike. I'll do it more for fun than any thing else. Its also a good opportunity for me to learn mountain biking.

Xia · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 874 Location: Geneva (Suisse)

I have signed up as London speed skaters... they have a club trophy as well...

Super mariyo · Joined: 11 Aug 2008 Posts: 52 Location: LONDON

where are the races held?

Xia · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 874 Location: Geneva (Suisse)

somewhere south of London, must be somewhere on the website.

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4106

Xia · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 874 Location: Geneva (Suisse)

Stage one Done!

That was a toughy, finished 53 out of 57 finishers (+10 dnf) in 3h08 (34', 1h50', 44'). Still fullfilled my personal contract of finishing, not last and without walking in the running bits (ok failed that one but only for may be 2 minutes of walk max.)

I'm a crap runner so not surprised by my slow running laps, but I wasn't expecting to suffer that much on the ride.
The mountain bike course was very challenging to me with loads of climb, tight corners, mud... never allowing me a breather to slightly recover unlike skating or normal riding. By the way I now understand why my MTB has so many gears!

The race was mostly a solitary effort as pretty quickly people thinned out and on the bike the last thing you want is someone in front of you hiding the route.

Still it's a great challenge nicely organised and was a fantastic day out thanks to Cat and Chloe coming and some really nice weather.

Next race is 3rd of Jan on my Birthday and is supposed to be harder ???!!!

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5913

Nice one.

Xia · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 874 Location: Geneva (Suisse)

DEAD LAST!!!!

but at least I managed to finish Smile

My body simply gave up on the last cycling lap (out of 5) which meant I did the running course mostly walking trying to manage cramps on both legs and stomach.

Earlier during the day: its a nice sunny day fresh at -2dg. I'm seriously scared as I know that this race is the hardest one of the series. After a good Christmas with no training I wonder just how much pain I'll be in.

Off we go and 400 meters in the run the first climb... can only walk it and then its straight down and up again: the course runs along a hill and we go up and down 3 time per lap (4) with crazy gradient. Madness! I'm not even sure I can finish the first leg. mixing walking an running I manage to reach the transition and my bike.

The ride is easier than last time having less technical section and less mud than last time but again the course feels like going up and up and up until right to the end where we have a fast steep downhill with jumps sharp corners, bumps real fun! Unfortunately my fitness level is just not there and by lap 4 my stomach is cramping and every time I need to push my bike I get cramps on my calves... not looking good.

The last lap is just survival and take a rest of 2 minutes in the transition zone, kiss to Cat and Chloe and I set off for the run, but it's clear I cant run, my tights have now joined my stomach cramping. I walk most of the first lap forcing my body to recover and to see if I can reach the end. All the downhills are hurting my stomach badly, slowly I manage to achieve a balance of walk 10 meters / run 10 meters and just keep going on. I'm incredibly slow and everyone that was behind me overtakes me.
After 3h40 I cross the finish line and collapse happy not to have given up.

Race 2 done.

I now have 6 weeks to recover and train hard till the next race.

btw did I say it was on my birthday? I'm way to old for this now!

Christophe · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 1650

Joyeux Anniversaire Alex, et Felicitations! *insert drink emoticon here*

(tu es fou!!)