Magalies Monster 2014

[Working 2 Hard]

I have done this race a few times, the best advice is to pace yourself and take something for the cramps.

I cramped last year after completing Sani.

Best motivation for finishing is the free message at the end.

[Richard29]

Okay. . Note to self after monster. . More suffering to come..

 

this race you will learn to live with that "uncomfortable" stage in your fitness, legs hurting, deep breathing, pains and aches

 

you will suffer a lot.... but finishing it is a nice reward

[RocknRolla]

6 weekends to go. Where's the best place to train apart from Van Gaalens? How many laps of groenkloof equal one marathon?

 

you have two options,

 

go to kingskloof do two laps. or maybe three.

go to hakahana trails, do two laps

 

 

 

groenkloof is not going to help you for this race.

no matter how many laps you do.

Edited April 8, 2014 by RocknRolla

[Trelawney]

 

go to hakahana trails, do two laps

Which route at Hakahana would you do twice ? Haven't been there other than last years Nissan race, really enjoyed it but can't remember much about the routes. Am thinking of doing the Monster so keen to get some calibration !

[Pieter1]

I'm going to hit kings mabey next weekend. I'm going to have to do this with a ratio of 32-18.

[ACM]

 

Which route at Hakahana would you do twice ? Haven't been there other than last years Nissan race, really enjoyed it but can't remember much about the routes. Am thinking of doing the Monster so keen to get some calibration !

 

If you do green, blue, black,red, rest of blue and green again you're doing almost 50km with 1100m ascent. I'll see if I can publish some profiles here a little later/tomorrow.

[Jigghead]

I have done this event once and loved it. This in spite of loads of cramping, pain and almost some tears.

 

Stiff for around a week afterwards as well.

 

Last year, I was injured. This year, I have an entry but have just discovered that my CFA Level 1 exam is not too long after The Monster

 

So, I'm missing it again.

 

Take loads of liquid, cramp blocker of your choice, sun screen, liquid, cramp blocker and some chamois cream to soften up the gooch a little.

 

Most important, be sure to enjoy this event, if you're super fit, go for a time. If you're not, go for a jol! It's doable as long as you stay well aware of where your body's at!

Edited April 9, 2014 by Jigghead

[kosmonooit]

If you want to do some climbing training, Suikerbosrand is a good choice. Even though tar, some tasty treats there to keep you honest.

[Sephton]

Entered for the 70/80km and a 8km trail run on Sunday...

[Trelawney]

My only marathon out in the Magaliesburg has been two Nissan races (70 km) from van Gaalens. How does the Monster marathon compare ? I can complete the vG marathons but feel it and am always happy to see the finish line. In the past 8 months I have learned to ride the technical stuff at vG of the strips, Pofadder, Dagga Pad, Greek Church, Yo Bliksem and the river route back to base, is that enough for one of these Monster marathons ?

[kosmonooit]

I have found the technical descents at Nissan VG marathon events much more challenging than anything the Monster can pitch.

[Trelawney]

Someone said that the Monster has a large % of corrugations, sand and constant grass and rocky bumps so is tiring for that reason. That initial elevation climb is presumably a long walk for many people, is it single track so if a few people start walking uphill everyone else does the same ?

[JJDT]

Yes some of climbs are single track and although there a places that you can pass one or two riders it will not be much of a gain because it is long and if one person is of the bike...the rest is history. Best is to be in front in order to ride it to the top without getting of the bike.

[Trelawney]

Kind of difficult to guarantee being up front so I guess I would walk endlessly !

[arendoog]

Someone said that the Monster has a large % of corrugations, sand and constant grass and rocky bumps so is tiring for that reason. That initial elevation climb is presumably a long walk for many people, is it single track so if a few people start walking uphill everyone else does the same ?

Very correct! The descents aren't as bad as van Gaalen's .The climbs are hard ,but hardest parts are the in between the climbs where the terrain does not make for any rest or rhythm .There is really nowhere you can prepare for it either .Riders that are really good climbers excel and the rest of us suffer and cramp. My strategy will be different this year .I am going to run early on to save myself from cramping in the latter stage .Mtn Rooiberg .Van Gaalen,s and MM are the toughest marathon's in my calendar

[ByronH]

I am doing the 45km. First time doing this race.

 

I am looking at doing either the Winter Fast one on 1 May (35km) or the De Wildt MTB on 10 May (35km) as a preparation race.

 

Can you guys comment on which of these prep races you think will be better. Haven't been able to find out much info on these two races.