Sunday, July 26, 2009

Okoroire fun ride report

I am shagged (figuratively). Totally and utterly knackered.

This morning Phil and I (and Tri Saint) did the 7-km Okoroire fun ride, just out of Tirau. The course was absolutely gorgeous, though I might be somewhat blinded by the stunning weather the Waikato put on for us today!

The ride started out well- once we got through some of the crowds at the start. We passed a bunch of people, sat at the back of a somewhat poorly organised paceline for a bit, and struggled over the roadworks. As per Coach Paul's instructions, I nailed myself up the only real climb in the ride (there were LOTS of wee rollers out there though), at roughly half-way, then settled behind Phil to let the wind blow us home.

Then things went pear shaped. I hit the wall with a big bang, and all of a sudden went from happy-Kate-enjoying-the-sun and the awesomeness of riding, to Kate-zilla. I slowed down, I snapped, I yelled, I swore, and I sulked. Oh yeah- I cried too. I had no energy left, my legs were killing me, my tummy was rumbling, and I just wanted to curl up in the ditch and sleep. I death-marched it to the end, with a 15-min positive split, then snubbed the Saint, weaved my way to the car, steadied myself and crashed into the front seat.

I have lots of faboo excuses for this. I've had an exhausting and training-impaired week at work. My HR on my long-ish run was consistently 5 beats higher than it felt like it should be (I controlled it OK, it was just higher than usual at any given RPE), suggesting a bit of tiredness and/or dehydration. We didn't plan well or bring enough food- I should know by now that I really struggle with blood sugar on the bike. I decided to be awesome instead of carrying the lame-o hydration bladder. I pushed it too hard at first, and revelled too much in being able to smash people up the rollers.

But the problem is, this was Rotorua all over again. Same 1st half pace (ish); roughly the same 2nd half pace. Same wall, same sulking. So, I really do need to find a way to fix this. Because seriously- I should not find riding a bike for 2.5-3 hours harder than I find running for that long! And I should not keep being crushed on the bike by people who are eating my dust on the run- or else I'll never, ever, ever get off the bike at the kind of place I should be.

12 comments:

Pip said...

Oh dear, yes, that does sound like not taking on enough food on the bike may have had something to do with it. I've had the same experience on underfuelled Gearshifters rides. I'm still puzzled by why I need more fuel on the bike than when I run for the same amount of time. Someone told me it has something to do with our stomachs shutting down when we run but not when we cycle? I don't know, but I've learned now. Mouthful of Powerbar every 20-30 minutes or the Mad Dog turns Pit Bull.

Britt said...

I'm assuming it's a 70km ride not a 7km right like you typed because otherwise, that's one hell of a wall for 7km!! :)

Lesson learned right? maybe you should try slowing it down a bit at the beginning? I think you need to be not so hard on yourself! You're doing fabulously, crappy split or not. I find that I get super negative when I run and a coach once told me to think of something positive (running related or not) at every km. Sometimes all it takes is a little positive thought. Hang in there love!

Britt said...

lol, speaking of typos - I meant 7km RIDE not right. ha!

Aaron said...

Weather on the weekend was good at least you didn't have to hit the wall in crap conditions. Silver lining and all.

Sounds like you have already identified the lessons to be learned for next time (i.e. nutrition)

How about thinking about say 3 things that did go well in the race. When I reflect on races I try and list positives and negatives to have a balanced view otherwise you end up beating yourself up too much.

Mike said...

I held back on commenting cos I thought that there wasn't much anyone could say to make you feel any better. I can't imagine the place you have to be to cry on the bike. I cry (well moist eyes anyway) on long runs but that's the happy endolphins after about an hour combined with listening to my favourite music ... not quite the same as your tears but I thought I'd share that with you ...

So ... here are my words of wisdom ...

I agree with Aaron ... try to take as many positives from the experience as you can. You finished the race and smashed people up the rollers (sounds painful) in the process. That's got to be a good sign. It just sounds like you didn't fuel yourself enough (I'm very perceptive!) to continue to do this in the 2nd half of the race. Easily fixed next time ...

It also sounds like the 'training-impaired' week at work had a lot to do with the 'meltdown'. Nothing you can do about that ... unless you're able to take a week off work before every event ... maybe not!

If you did make mistakes (nutrition) then I reckon it's best to make them now rather than at Rotorua. At least you know that you have got to nail your nutrition as that seems to be the biggest factor. There's plenty of time before Rotorua to get long rides in and find out what nutrition plan will get you off the bike in the place you should be. This will mean that even more people get the pleasure of eating your dust!

Now get back on that bike! ... oh and take some food with you ;)

Tri Saint said...

I would have to agree with everyone else. In bike races it is very easy to forget to drink / eat. Time fly's by & you just forget to refuel. I did it !!! Finished the race with almost a whole bottle of Replace & wicked cramps in my quad.

Your race sounds exactly like mine. Was right at the back then rode hard out for the 1st 5km, jumping from bunch to bunch.

By the way you did miss out on a bike computer as a spottie.

Kate said...

Bugger!

Mike said...

Don't that just add salt to the wound ...

btw .. I forgot to say I liked the irony of the ride name. I'm sure it wasn't lost on you.

Kate said...

Mike- I had to stop myself calling the post Okoroire "Fun" Ride.. But decided that might sound as if I were blaming the organisers!

Mike said...

Were there any aid stations on the course or do you not get that with 'fun' rides?

Kate said...

Nope, no aid stations. I think you sometimes do, but over 70k, frankly I have no problem being responsible for my own nutrition. Also remember that Phil ate what I ate, and didn't drink much more. We weigh about the same and had similar breakfasts, so obviously I need to look harder at a number of factors.

Tri Saint said...

Mike.... most bike races you won't have aid stations, it's the riders responsibility. Round Taupo does at the relay change over points.

Your just spoilt when doing long distance Triathlons.