With quite a few friends participating again this year, I was not only following the professionals progress, but many of the mid-packers as well (and a few back-markers, if there is such a thing in a race as tough as this one).
One thing was clear, whether pro or not: There are a few very basic ingredients to be successful at this event that I have picked up on from friends who have been successful.
- Focus
This is required not only for the training, but for all other aspects of your life when you prepare for a race like this. For the non-pro's this is even more important, as you have to apply focus to your job, the demands of daily life, your health and training. All these areas requires focus for a successful Epic.
- Discipline
Now while this may sound like focus, its not. Discipline is your mind overriding your heart when you need to make a decision. Am I going to bed at 9, so that I can have a focussed training session at 5 tomorrow morning, or do I stay up and watch TV until 10:30? Do I grab a second beer after my race on Saturday or is 1 my limit? Learning to say "no" is a very good quality to have if you need to be focussed
- Support system
Many underestimate the value of good support, until it is absent. Preparing for something like an Epic is just much more manageable if you have buy-in and support from your employer, family, friends (and perhaps your banker) as there will be areas where others may need to pick up slack that you simply cannot get to.
- Flexibility
Now this is not the opposite of focus, but a complementary quality to work on. Things don't always work out as planned, and one needs to be able to adapt from time to time. A last minute meeting may can your evening gym session, but tomorrow during lunch you can make up the session.
- Mental strength
With most endurance events, your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Being in a good mental space during the whole race will be impossible, and you will have to find ways to get yourself out of those deep dark holes your mind can throw you into from time to time to make it through.
- The right team mate
Now this is different things to different people. I have done events with fantastic team mates and less fantastic team mates. Now regardless of their own preparation, the team dynamic is very important. Simply getting along is not enough, but understanding when your partner is suffering, when they are feeling strong, when to let them take care of you, or when you take care of them... it boils down to an almost instinctive understanding of what makes them tick to make a success out of such an event. Like-minded goals (are you in it to finish, or are you going for a top-200?) and being able to complement each other all helps to get along.
I often wonder how my 2009 Epic would have turned out if I did not dislocate my shoulder and broke a few ribs less than 2 months before the big day. I do know that I had no idea back then about many of the characteristics mentioned above, so perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.
Maybe one day I will be able to test myself in what must surely be the ultimate test of focus, discipline, my support system, flexibility, mental strength and a team mate -to-be.
To all those who have that finisher's medal. Well done and know that you inspire and motivate so many around you to become better.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Sunday, March 5, 2017
PE>>Plett Day 4
Last day... it is always bitter-sweet. On the one side you know you will miss the quiet, the crunch of rubber on stones, pine needles, sand and sometimes a little tar, and on the other you miss your family, pets and the comfort of your own bed.
With these thoughts I set off on day 4 of PE>>Plett and decided to try and hang with the race snakes on the tar section leading out of Tsitsikama. Surprisingly I continued to hang with the front group for 12 km, where we all took a wrong turn (it seems to happen to the front guys often), but quickly we realised our mistake and doubled back to the route. By this time the second bunch passed, and in a flash my racing ambitions for the day evaporated.
I took it down a notch or 2 and rode a comfortable pace to the first water point at Storms River Village. I have happy thoughts of Storms River with the Storms River Traverse a few years back, and remembered the short, steep climb out of Storms River on the Western end. On this climb I encountered Ian Van Wyk who was in peril with a rather nasty puncture, and tyre that was somehow stuck to his rim. I opened my Camelbak and with the help of 3 tyre levers, Ian and his riding partner, we managed to get the tyre unseated from the rim to insert a tube, and pop the tyre back on. At this point they were ok to inflate the tyre on their own and I continued with my race.
We rode mostly Cape Pine Plantations, but the highlight was surely riding the old Bloukrans Pass, and with the King of the Mountain out of the pass on the Natures Valley side. At the top of the Pass we had our second water point, where Ian and his partner passed me with a wave and a thanks for the help earlier (I was glad that they managed to get going again, as it really sucks to put your bike on the bakkie).
With about 7km to go we encountered a portage section, that is part of the Otter Trail down onto the sandy beach of Natures Valley. A short ride along the lagoon, back on the tar and into Tsitsikama Resort for the finale.
And just like that, the race was done. A very cool finisher's sweater, medal, hot shower and a few handshakes with the MC, race orginiser and some of the crew that helped to make this a special memory for many of us.
Thanks Red Cherry events. The week was magic.
With these thoughts I set off on day 4 of PE>>Plett and decided to try and hang with the race snakes on the tar section leading out of Tsitsikama. Surprisingly I continued to hang with the front group for 12 km, where we all took a wrong turn (it seems to happen to the front guys often), but quickly we realised our mistake and doubled back to the route. By this time the second bunch passed, and in a flash my racing ambitions for the day evaporated.
I took it down a notch or 2 and rode a comfortable pace to the first water point at Storms River Village. I have happy thoughts of Storms River with the Storms River Traverse a few years back, and remembered the short, steep climb out of Storms River on the Western end. On this climb I encountered Ian Van Wyk who was in peril with a rather nasty puncture, and tyre that was somehow stuck to his rim. I opened my Camelbak and with the help of 3 tyre levers, Ian and his riding partner, we managed to get the tyre unseated from the rim to insert a tube, and pop the tyre back on. At this point they were ok to inflate the tyre on their own and I continued with my race.
We rode mostly Cape Pine Plantations, but the highlight was surely riding the old Bloukrans Pass, and with the King of the Mountain out of the pass on the Natures Valley side. At the top of the Pass we had our second water point, where Ian and his partner passed me with a wave and a thanks for the help earlier (I was glad that they managed to get going again, as it really sucks to put your bike on the bakkie).
With about 7km to go we encountered a portage section, that is part of the Otter Trail down onto the sandy beach of Natures Valley. A short ride along the lagoon, back on the tar and into Tsitsikama Resort for the finale.
And just like that, the race was done. A very cool finisher's sweater, medal, hot shower and a few handshakes with the MC, race orginiser and some of the crew that helped to make this a special memory for many of us.
Thanks Red Cherry events. The week was magic.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
PE >> Plett Day 3
Day 3 from Assegaaibos to Tsitsikama promised to be a fair bit quicker than day 2. 50km and only 900m climbing would see most of us home by 12pm. The bulk of the climbing was in the first 15km of the race, which for once suited me. I rode tempo all day and managed a 3rd position in the solo mens category. Today consisted mostly of Pine Forest Plantations, a few dairy farms and a spectacular protea farm.
Today's weather was perfect. It was overcast for most of the ride with a very slight South Westerly wind keeping us cool allmmorning.
The landscape changed accordingly and the terrain became much more forgiving, all making for fast riding. All the training hours, disciplined eating, focussing on getting sufficient sleep and better stress management all seems to be coming together nicely.
Tonight I am sleeping at Tsitsikama Lodge. I already made use of the Jacuzzi and will be trying out the bed shortly after my recovery massage at 1:30pm.
Today's weather was perfect. It was overcast for most of the ride with a very slight South Westerly wind keeping us cool allmmorning.
The landscape changed accordingly and the terrain became much more forgiving, all making for fast riding. All the training hours, disciplined eating, focussing on getting sufficient sleep and better stress management all seems to be coming together nicely.
Tonight I am sleeping at Tsitsikama Lodge. I already made use of the Jacuzzi and will be trying out the bed shortly after my recovery massage at 1:30pm.
Friday, March 3, 2017
PE >> Plett Day 2
There is nothing like a night in a tent to get you to appreciate the small comforts in life. As nights in tents go, mine was reasonable. I managed to get 5 hours sleep in which wasn't too bad.
The early start of 6:30am was quite welcome. The climbing started early on and I decided to not burn all my matches early on. The route consisted mostly of Jeep track through the hilly countryside, and combined with a near-gale force wind made for some interesting and challenging riding. The climbs kept coming, and the wind picked up further, I was stuck in no-mans land for most of the day, so there was no protection from the wind with working together in a bunch. The dry landscape reminded me of the Little Karoo, and at times it felt like I was somewhere in the Attakwas kloof grinding away. The descents were technical, meaning that there was nomrelqxing or recovering inbetween climbs. I made good use of all 3 water points today and managed to do the stage in 6h32, which turned out a very respectable time. 1650m climbing felt like 3000m.
Assegaaibos appeared after 73km. Tonight I am sleepng on a real bed, have a flush toioet and my own shower. The units are well kept with all the basics available. Also another note to visit again with the family in the future.
Day 3 promises to be a fair bit easier on the body. Now time to rest and relax before dinner and race briefing.
The early start of 6:30am was quite welcome. The climbing started early on and I decided to not burn all my matches early on. The route consisted mostly of Jeep track through the hilly countryside, and combined with a near-gale force wind made for some interesting and challenging riding. The climbs kept coming, and the wind picked up further, I was stuck in no-mans land for most of the day, so there was no protection from the wind with working together in a bunch. The dry landscape reminded me of the Little Karoo, and at times it felt like I was somewhere in the Attakwas kloof grinding away. The descents were technical, meaning that there was nomrelqxing or recovering inbetween climbs. I made good use of all 3 water points today and managed to do the stage in 6h32, which turned out a very respectable time. 1650m climbing felt like 3000m.
Assegaaibos appeared after 73km. Tonight I am sleepng on a real bed, have a flush toioet and my own shower. The units are well kept with all the basics available. Also another note to visit again with the family in the future.
Day 3 promises to be a fair bit easier on the body. Now time to rest and relax before dinner and race briefing.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
PE >> Plett Day 1
Opening my blog feels kind of strange. After an absence of almost 3 years it feels like that good friend you haven't calledmin ages, and hopefully after the first few awkward minutes things feel like the good old days.
Somon that note I'm changing tact to srage 1 of the PE >> Plett 4 day race. I opted for the 'light' version opposed to the extreme one. The 'quote' on light or extreme is merely to indicate that it was not all that light today. 'Awesome' would more aptly describe today's riding. After I had a slightly delayed start (trying to sort out access for my gardener at home) and missing marshalls who thought that the field all passed through, and subsequently taking a wrong turn, I had some catching up to do. I started catching riders in the first single track, and kept passing riders throughout the 3 rivers trails. Now I've made a mental note to come back to spend more time on the local trails here. They were quite magnificent!
More about those trails here.
http://3riverstrails.co.za/
We tracked the railway line for the first half of the race. Narrow gauge steel bridges, gentle gradients and amazing scenery would have made an amazing train journey decades ago. Now we were dong it on our bikes. Intle Game lodge offered some beautiful vistas of the veld rolling into the ocean. Another place to come back to...
http://www.intlegamelodge.com/
The second half of the race provided most of the climbing. The day was getting hotter and the tough route race snakes were coming through at regular intervals. A quick stop at the second water point and off again.
More climbing, and dropping 25 kg's since September and putting in hard time on the bike training all seemed to come together very nicely. Enjoying the climbs is maybe a bit far fetched, but at least I wasn't hating it like before.
64 km, 800m ascent l, 3 or 4 steel bridges, some light hearted banter, a rather deep river crossing later and Zuurbron opened up before our eyes. The race village is comfortable with a hearty lunch, free (yes, FREE!) Windhoeks and cooldrinks, a hot shower and a good sportsmassage done, and guys and girls exchanging war stories in the chill zone.
Tomorrow the start will be 6:30 to combat the mid 30's tempratures expected. Hopefully it equates to an earlier finish too.
Somon that note I'm changing tact to srage 1 of the PE >> Plett 4 day race. I opted for the 'light' version opposed to the extreme one. The 'quote' on light or extreme is merely to indicate that it was not all that light today. 'Awesome' would more aptly describe today's riding. After I had a slightly delayed start (trying to sort out access for my gardener at home) and missing marshalls who thought that the field all passed through, and subsequently taking a wrong turn, I had some catching up to do. I started catching riders in the first single track, and kept passing riders throughout the 3 rivers trails. Now I've made a mental note to come back to spend more time on the local trails here. They were quite magnificent!
More about those trails here.
http://3riverstrails.co.za/
We tracked the railway line for the first half of the race. Narrow gauge steel bridges, gentle gradients and amazing scenery would have made an amazing train journey decades ago. Now we were dong it on our bikes. Intle Game lodge offered some beautiful vistas of the veld rolling into the ocean. Another place to come back to...
http://www.intlegamelodge.com/
The second half of the race provided most of the climbing. The day was getting hotter and the tough route race snakes were coming through at regular intervals. A quick stop at the second water point and off again.
More climbing, and dropping 25 kg's since September and putting in hard time on the bike training all seemed to come together very nicely. Enjoying the climbs is maybe a bit far fetched, but at least I wasn't hating it like before.
64 km, 800m ascent l, 3 or 4 steel bridges, some light hearted banter, a rather deep river crossing later and Zuurbron opened up before our eyes. The race village is comfortable with a hearty lunch, free (yes, FREE!) Windhoeks and cooldrinks, a hot shower and a good sportsmassage done, and guys and girls exchanging war stories in the chill zone.
Tomorrow the start will be 6:30 to combat the mid 30's tempratures expected. Hopefully it equates to an earlier finish too.
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