Cyclists with a "Running" Problem

[Stretch]

On another side note, was sent some delightful photos of the Mount Aux Sources chain ladders where a bolt sheared off on the one ladder. Delightful when you know you have used them a few times a year for last few years, most recently in March

Oh jeez... Post here please. I don't like those ladders at the best of times!

[dave303e]

Oh jeez... Post here please. I don't like those ladders at the best of times!

 

https://www.witsieshoek.co.za/blog/chain-ladders-to-the-amphitheatre

 

Looks like Witsies will drive the repair and safety concerns, I think this is one of their main selling points is the hiking there, so we holding thumbs they can make a plan. 

 

Earlier this month was the Mount Aux Sources challenge, also a delightful thought imagine racing up there and that happened?

 

[Barry Stuart]

Did it! and finished! My first 100 miler!

 

Had a pretty humiliating DNF at UTD earlier this year so had a little extra reason to get through this race.

 

The heat was mental, by half way my stomach was not playing the game anymore so I (and probably most of us) was super dehydrated and big-time lacking calories. It was a real battle. 

 

But ja, kept stepping and even managed to run the last 20kms as the sun came up again, because there was no ways I was going to miss the cut-off. Finished just under 35 hours. 

 

I'm still getting my head around what I've managed to do. But I'm feeling more happy about it as the pain subsides...

 

Geez, Chris, absolutely amazing, man! That's an achievement of a lifetime. I've been roped in by a buddy to do it next year and have instantly regretted the decision.

[Barry Stuart]

A question for those of you that have run in knit-upper shoes. Is heat a factor? I'm loooking at the new DS Trainer and the NB Beacon as a 5 to 42 shoe.

 

The DS feels snappier with its lower stack height and less give. It feels like it would be a very quick 5 to 21 shoe but may hurt a bit on a 42.

 

The Beacon has a bit more cushion (though somehow gets away at about 20 grams lighter), though didn't feel as 'responsive' as the DS.

 

However, within a few short sprints that Beacon felt pretty muggy. I don't know if it was all in my head but it just felt like those knit uppers weren't all that breathable. I'd also be interested in if they absorb moisture on wet roads.

[Edgar]

A question for those of you that have run in knit-upper shoes. Is heat a factor? I'm loooking at the new DS Trainer and the NB Beacon as a 5 to 42 shoe.

 

The DS feels snappier with its lower stack height and less give. It feels like it would be a very quick 5 to 21 shoe but may hurt a bit on a 42.

 

The Beacon has a bit more cushion (though somehow gets away at about 20 grams lighter), though didn't feel as 'responsive' as the DS.

 

However, within a few short sprints that Beacon felt pretty muggy. I don't know if it was all in my head but it just felt like those knit uppers weren't all that breathable. I'd also be interested in if they absorb moisture on wet roads.

 

Baz, can only talk about Fly Knit, but it is by far the best upper I have run in. Doesn't get hot and dries quickly. 

 

Also, form fitting which makes sure there are no hotspots.

[Jewbacca]

I didn't step a scale or anything but I suspect it was a fair drop. ITO 'bodily functions' I didn't go to the loo for the next like 36 hours so I was probably an absolute prune by the end of the run. 

 

I usually race a little dehydrated anyway, so maybe that helped get me through this one.

Rad!

 

1st Miler finish is one to remember.

 

Andrew runs a great event. All the bells and whistles! 

 

Next year hit up MacMac then try UTD once you've smashed that. It is in a class of it's own re difficulty among our Milers.

[ScottCM]

Rad!

 

1st Miler finish is one to remember.

 

Andrew runs a great event. All the bells and whistles! 

 

Next year hit up MacMac then try UTD once you've smashed that. It is in a class of it's own re difficulty among our Milers.

 

In which order would you suggest a 1st timer start doing the AMUK events?

Edited September 26, 2019 by ScottC-M

[Chris_]

Rad!

 

1st Miler finish is one to remember.

 

Andrew runs a great event. All the bells and whistles! 

 

Next year hit up MacMac then try UTD once you've smashed that. It is in a class of it's own re difficulty among our Milers.

 

I actually thought you were the sweeper who I got chatting to 40 kay or so from the end! This dude is also a savage runner, like every race, every unimaginable feat, AND importantly.. has a single speed bike! haha But found out his name was Dan so it seems there's more than one crazy out there in the wilderness....

[Jewbacca]

In which order would you suggest a 1st timer start doing the AMUK events?

In the AMUK or just to build up?

 

Weather dependant of course, but I would say Karkloof is the most achievable, ADDO and MacMac on a par, Cederberg next and UTD the most difficult.

 

Each has their own challenges and weather can make a mockery of what I just said, but all being equal, that would be 'my opinion'.

 

Realistically a finish in any of the above is an amazing achievement. 

[Jewbacca]

I actually thought you were the sweeper who I got chatting to 40 kay or so from the end! This dude is also a savage runner, like every race, every unimaginable feat, AND importantly.. has a single speed bike! haha But found out his name was Dan so it seems there's more than one crazy out there in the wilderness....

Dan van Hemert?! Awesome.. He just circumnavigated the Lesotho Border on foot. He is a mate of mine!

[ScottCM]

In the AMUK or just to build up?

 

Weather dependant of course, but I would say Karkloof is the most achievable, ADDO and MacMac on a par, Cederberg next and UTD the most difficult.

 

Each has their own challenges and weather can make a mockery of what I just said, but all being equal, that would be 'my opinion'.

 

Realistically a finish in any of the above is an amazing achievement. 

 

Yeah meant it in a stand alone list as one per year type thing.

 

Interesting comment about the weather, If i remember correctly the first couple of years KK was rainy as hell. Must be honest, any 100miler isn't an event that i would look forward to doing in the rain. 

[Odinson]

CBlake, what did your training look like in preparation for the 100miler?  

[Chris_]

Dan van Hemert?! Awesome.. He just circumnavigated the Lesotho Border on foot. He is a mate of mine!

 

WTF! haha of course he's your mate, thats the guy, cruised around the whole of Lesotho. Thats awesome! Super cool chap, lots of great stories, he really got my mind out of the gutter and believing I could (and did as it turns out) actually run the last 20 kms to make sure I easily made the time cap. 

 

He was also a rockstar for the very last finisher. The guys back had slowly been seizing more and more, by the time he crossed the line he was a total mess, but a finsiher.

[Chris_]

CBlake, what did your training look like in preparation for the 100miler?  

 

My first goal was to get up to a very comfortable 50km a week. During the week was pretty short, so 2 or 3 road 8kms in the morning, and then spend some time on the trails over weekends.

 

The last couple months I started doing Sat Sun back 2 back runs, which took my vol to 60 or 70km a week. Fitted in a couple marathons, couple 50km runs.

 

Overall strategy was never about speed - thats not my jam, only building time on feet.

[dave303e]

Dan also is very handy at OCR as well. 

 

Karkloof the first year it was about 35deg at 5pm before the strart. Then at midnight it started raining and rained on and off and was cold till cutoff basically.

 

Karkloof last year, temps were amazing and it was dry till lunch time on Sat then all her broke loose with rainstorm.

 

But it is midlands weather so hardly dangerous. At UTD if a storm klaps you on the escarpment at 2900m you will know all about it. The temps drop a lot lower a lot faster, there is nowhere to hide and it will get you in trouble. That altitude is what makes Skyrun so rough as well, weather changes in an instant and you can be in groot k**.

[Jewbacca]

Yeah meant it in a stand alone list as one per year type thing.

 

Interesting comment about the weather, If i remember correctly the first couple of years KK was rainy as hell. Must be honest, any 100miler isn't an event that i would look forward to doing in the rain. 

Dunno... I would pick rain over 45' heat.

 

I have done some races where it didn't stop raining for 3 days. That's sleeping in the rain, trekking, riding, paddling etc in the rain. Once you're wet you're wet. 

 

The heat makes things way harder. You are forced to carry more water, more food, it gets harder to eat and drink but you have to. Anything sweet starts being sickly, food melts, fruit tastes sour..... Nah.