Spring Ballbuster

[Sylv]

Fancy a training session @ Box on Sat 19th Marek?

[Dominic]

It's just over a week a way and am thinking of the hows and the wheres of the whole thing. For those that have done it before any advice? eg what time to get there to get set up, feeding etc. I don't think I will go for Stu's 12 gel strategy in 2009!! I am guessing a big breakfast, a bottle and a couple of gels.

I am guessing it is like a TT in that pacing is paramount? I have already decided to ride my road bike.

Cheers for any advice.

[Paul H]

I dont like running with much in my stomach so I got up at 4am to have a large breakfast giving it time to be digested before the start. I had one SIS gel on each run and a large bottle of energy drink on the bike.

I new what time I wanted to do so tried to even split my pace as much as possible. I used my TT bike but dont think it makes much difference.

Good luck

[Lucyap]

Good luck, its a great race

Like Paul I can't run on a full stomach, got up really early and had small amount of cereal and toast. I ate a bit of Go bar in the car on way there. We got to Boxhill early thinking that parking might be a problem, but it was fine as was registration.

In transition you don't rack by number, so its good to get there early to get a good place. I racked at the end towards the out, that way you run less in bike shoes on the way out on the bike and more on the way back in - less mud on the cleats before the bike leg. Take care on the out by the car park, its quite slippery! I was glad to have brought a towel along to put in transition to stand on while changing shoes, it was muddy and also my bike was easier to find.

Take the first run "easy". I had a gel just before the zigzags, and ran with some Zero in a bottle because I tend to cramp up. There was one water station by the Headley car park. On the bike I had SIS psp in my bottle, I think I had another gel on the final bike lap and I might have eaten a bit of the Go bar. I put another top on for the bike leg, it was so cold coming down Little Switzerland. On the final run I had the rest of the Zero in my bottle.

I hope you can get something useful from my waffle! Enjoy Anyone planning to ride over and watch?

[Andrew G]

[quote="Lucyap"]Anyone planning to ride over and watch?

[Paul H]

Personaly I wouldnt take the 1st run easy. Its not normaly a problem going from running to cycling if you are a strong cyclist.

[Marek]

Opposite to Paul, I would take the first run easy as unless you have done a lot of running training the second 8 mile run will hurt a lot. The time I did my best was when I took the first run at a steady pace, the next run I did was only 1 min longer after the bike. I am not in the same league as Sylv and Paul though.

Take spare tubes and a pump on the bike just in case as the roads are awful. Also, would take some gloves for the bike and a good waterproof/windproof jacket for the bike section.

See you there.

Cheers

Marek....

[Sylv]

After injuring myself I had abandonned the idea of racing the BB but am now going to do it, that's if they have received my postal entry in time. Not quite ideal as have hardly trained in two weeks and not ridden or ran the course since two years ago, and just back from another tough xc ski race which I am going to have 5 days to recover from. Anyway, still looking forward to it. Didn't know you were doing it too Dom, we should all try meet before start.

Re the run yes I wouldn't take it too easy if you don't want to have to make up too much time afterwards, but I have read I think from a past winner to ease off on the downhills on the first run, to avoid calve pain later on.

I think I will use my road bike too, haven't been on the TT since last year, and have never got round the course on it.

Is the parking free on the day?

[Andrew G]

I just wouldn't do the running .

I'm doing an easy spin out to watch, leaving CSS at 8.30. I take it it's an 8am start as per the autumn one when I left at the same time so on that basis I'll see you guys as you're on the bike leg.

I'll keep an eye out for you, and ACC (or SLH for some I guess) colours, after seeing Lucy in the Brighton half marathon I know that if you're in SLH colours they may not be red but white . I guess the Costiffs will be doing it too.

[Lucyap]

Good luck!

I think a couple of SLH's might be doing it, but not the Costiffs. Parking is free Sylv, well I didn't see anyone buying or checking tickets! I plan to do the normal CR on saturday, not stop at cafe and go straight to Boxhill. Thats my plan so far . . .

Lucy.

[Dominic]

[quote="Sylv"] Didn't know you were doing it too Dom, we should all try meet before start.

[Sylv]

Ok Dom I am in. Haven't planned leaving time yet but assume before 6am?

[Sylv]

[quote="Marek"] Also, would take some gloves for the bike and a good waterproof/windproof jacket for the bike section.

[Dominic]

Sylv, will be guided by you re the times. If the race starts at 8am. How long does it take to register and rack a bike? I was wondering about your number if putting on another top aswell!!.

Do you not have additional numbers on your helmet and bike?

[quote="Sylv"][quote="Marek"] Also, would take some gloves for the bike and a good waterproof/windproof jacket for the bike section.