In my last two posts I shared with you that I was preparing for the MS Fun Run, which was yesterday.
Having been down with a flu-type viral infection in the last few days I was in no shape or form to run it and decided not to do it. It was a smart move as pushing my body through the race would have certainly extended the sickness and I would not have performed as best as I would have hoped. The good news is that I now feel much better and will be able to get back to work tomorrow.
One of the best way to prepare for a race and especially a running race, is to get the itinerary from the organiser's website and actually run the course prior to the race.
It might not be easy to train for an adventure race (due to the time it takes to do the race and/or the gear required), but it is much easier for running races. Especially as the itinerary generally does not change from one year to another (unless there are roads specially closed for the event).
In the last few weeks I went to run the actual course a few times. This helps planning and managing the race (how to negotiate the course, where to run, when to cross the road, cut corners, when to accelerate, slow down, etc.). You will see that for every training session you run on the actual course, you will shave off seconds and minutes as you get closer to the actual race.
Last Thursday, I actually ran it close to the time it was scheduled on Sunday (early morning), this is the best way to prepare as you can fully assess the gear you will need to wear and how easy or hard it will be (based on the light, temperature, etc.).
If you are able to run the course a few times prior to the actual race, this will give you a really good advantage and idea of your final time (though you will not have the adrenaline and push from running against other competitors)!
Despite not running the race on Sunday, I am happy that my entry fee and donation went to a great initiative to raise funds and awareness around
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and that the event in Sydney has raised over half a million dollar! If you also want to donate to this great cause, go on the website anytime: http://www.mswalk.org.au/nsw/
Out of curiosity, I went to check the race results on the website and saw that my best running time of 31mins 52s corresponded to the 7th position overall and 3rd position of my category.
My training time having been more around 34 minutes lately, that would have corresponded to 15th out of over 600 participants which is not bad and something to aim and beat next year!
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Monday, 4 June 2012
Monday, 28 May 2012
Kathmandu Royal National Park Race Debrief
Yesterday my teammate Glenn and I completed the Kathmandu Adventure Race in the Royal National Park (RNP) in Sydney.
It was a great race, very well organised with a great weather.
Nothing like my very first adventure race in the Royal National Park three years ago where it was pouring rain and so cold! Check the pictures below:
This time the sun was out and the temperature was perfect for the race.
The organisers actually changed the bike drop location, and maybe a great omen, the picture featured in their email had Glenn and I rushing from the starting line!
The two guys with the white caps and the sunnies in the middle, that's us!
After registering and grabbing our registration bag and bibs, we discovered that we were going to do the grey course. This involved the following legs:
Glenn, having built an awesome map holder for his bike, we decided that for the first leg, he would not only do the navigation but also dip the timing chip at the bike checkpoints. Being faster on the bike, he would make up the time lost stopping and dipping the timing chip while I would continue riding with my old mountain bike. This worked well, Glenn did an amazing job and we did a very strong bike leg. I was actually very happy and surprised with my performance on the old bike! As you will have read/seen in the previous post (Crushed Bike, Last Patrol & Adventure Racing), I crushed my beloved competition mountain bike and so was back to riding the old mountain bike I used three years ago in the RNP race!
Anyways, back on the firm ground, we ran up the infamous "Honeymoon Track", a seriously steep track with lots of steps to start the main run leg. I did the navigation and sadly did a small navigation mistake that costs us 10 minutes and then lost some more time looking for a very tricky checkpoint (#18) towards the end.
By then, we had been racing for 2h30mins, my quads were starting to cramp and Glenn's knee was starting to give him grief.
After a steep run down Honeymoon track (so much easier than going up) encouraging people on the way up with "Good job!" and "Keep going! Nearly there!" generating several smiles on the go, we got back to the final transition at the start/finish.
We jumped into a kayak, paddled frenetically to the last two checkpoints and crossed the finish line with a massive smile on our faces in 3 hours and 18 minutes.
We finished 9th overall out of 188 teams and 6th for the male category. Not bad!
For more details, check the results HERE on the Maximum Adventure website.
The best is always at the end, eating a delicious and freshly grilled burger sitting down in the sun going through the race with many other competitors and sharing each other's pains and funny moments.
This was definitely a great workout and without my two mistakes, we would have been sub three hours (a time we are normally more used to) and closer to the podium. Next time!
While I do enjoy a few days resting, my next race is coming up next Sunday with the MS Fun Run. The MS Fun Run is a great initiative to raise funds and awareness around Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It is a great run, in the words of the organisers: "A challenging route through picturesque harbour-side streets from Milsons Point to Balls Head Reserve and return. Finish with a sprint down the famous Luna Park boardwalk".
I have created a profile and I would like to invite you to sponsor me to raise funds for people affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by clicking on the image/link below:
It was a great race, very well organised with a great weather.
Nothing like my very first adventure race in the Royal National Park three years ago where it was pouring rain and so cold! Check the pictures below:
 |  | |
| Covered in mud but smiling | So happy to cross the finish line! |
The organisers actually changed the bike drop location, and maybe a great omen, the picture featured in their email had Glenn and I rushing from the starting line!
The two guys with the white caps and the sunnies in the middle, that's us!
 |
| Copyright Maximum Adventure |
- Run
- Bike
- Run
- Canoe
- Run
- Kayak
Glenn, having built an awesome map holder for his bike, we decided that for the first leg, he would not only do the navigation but also dip the timing chip at the bike checkpoints. Being faster on the bike, he would make up the time lost stopping and dipping the timing chip while I would continue riding with my old mountain bike. This worked well, Glenn did an amazing job and we did a very strong bike leg. I was actually very happy and surprised with my performance on the old bike! As you will have read/seen in the previous post (Crushed Bike, Last Patrol & Adventure Racing), I crushed my beloved competition mountain bike and so was back to riding the old mountain bike I used three years ago in the RNP race!
For the people new to adventure racing, being able to adapt and balance the strengths and weaknesses between you and your team mate(s) prior and during a race is really important.
After that, we ran a short leg to the start and then to the boat shed. Thankfully we did not have to row a boat as done in the last few years (gosh these boats are horrible and you feel like in a huge pinball or bumper car going from one river bank to another).
Got really annoyed with Glenn a few times as paddling he was watering half my body and shoe with icy cold water. I felt like hitting him with my paddle on the head but decided not to as this would not have increased our chances of winning.
Not sure if Glenn has been watching too many "Starsky and Hutch" on TV but for the last checkpoint with the canoe, he decided to jump off the canoe, run to the checkpoint under the bridge and jump back onto the canoe. It was not that smooth and a team overtook us in the process but at least we did not capsize!
Anyways, back on the firm ground, we ran up the infamous "Honeymoon Track", a seriously steep track with lots of steps to start the main run leg. I did the navigation and sadly did a small navigation mistake that costs us 10 minutes and then lost some more time looking for a very tricky checkpoint (#18) towards the end.
By then, we had been racing for 2h30mins, my quads were starting to cramp and Glenn's knee was starting to give him grief.
After a steep run down Honeymoon track (so much easier than going up) encouraging people on the way up with "Good job!" and "Keep going! Nearly there!" generating several smiles on the go, we got back to the final transition at the start/finish.
We jumped into a kayak, paddled frenetically to the last two checkpoints and crossed the finish line with a massive smile on our faces in 3 hours and 18 minutes.
We finished 9th overall out of 188 teams and 6th for the male category. Not bad!
For more details, check the results HERE on the Maximum Adventure website.
The best is always at the end, eating a delicious and freshly grilled burger sitting down in the sun going through the race with many other competitors and sharing each other's pains and funny moments.
This was definitely a great workout and without my two mistakes, we would have been sub three hours (a time we are normally more used to) and closer to the podium. Next time!
While I do enjoy a few days resting, my next race is coming up next Sunday with the MS Fun Run. The MS Fun Run is a great initiative to raise funds and awareness around Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It is a great run, in the words of the organisers: "A challenging route through picturesque harbour-side streets from Milsons Point to Balls Head Reserve and return. Finish with a sprint down the famous Luna Park boardwalk".
I have created a profile and I would like to invite you to sponsor me to raise funds for people affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by clicking on the image/link below:
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Kosciuszko - Part 6: Prepare - Gear
Your gear is the most important and the trickiest item to prepare for this hike.
Due to the unstable and sometime rapidly changing weather (ie cold, rain, fog, wind, etc.), you need to make sure you have the appropriate gear. Rather than long explanations, just check the two pictures below:
 |  | |
| Start of the track on Saturday | End of the walk on Sunday |
It started super sunny and
finished cold as, raining and foggy. Better be prepared!
To make it easier for you to prepare, I took a
picture of the gear I packed for the weekend:
 |
You can buy most of
the items in your local camping/outdoor store. Most of my gear is
from Kathmandu and was perfect for this adventure.
There are 4 categories
of gear:
As you can see, there is quite a lot of gear to cover. So please use the hyperlinks above to go directly to a specific group or section! - Cargo / Zip-off Pants
- Fleece
- Waterproof / Gore Tex jacket (compulsory)
- Breathable / Sports top
- Socks /Undies
- (Board)short
- Long sleeve thermal top
- Skins / compression gear (optional)
Not shown – hiking boots or trail running shoes
You need to take with
you a Gore-Tex/waterproof jacket in
case it rains or gets cold. The last thing you want is to be caught in the
middle of the walk and suffer hypothermia.
Make sure you pack warm clothes (thermal,
beanie) for evenings and also for cold/rainy/windy
weather and light clothes for sunny weather. Zip-off pants might be a good idea to be used either as pants or
shorts.
At night time, the
temperature drops close to zero; make sure you wear a beanie to stay warm.
Also make sure your shoes
are broken down or you have used them for long walks. I have used trail
running shoes which was fine for the entire trail and great to run up to Mt
Townsend!
Compression gear might be a good idea to accelerate blood flow,
reduce build-up of lactic acid, stay warm and prevent chaffing. To be worn
during or after the walk to recover.
Pack (orange group)
- Big backpack (65L)
- "Camelback" bladder (2L)
- Inflatable mattress
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Day pack
A good backpack is paramount. The light daypack will be great after setting
up the camp to go to Mt Townsend with only a few things with you.
The inflatable
mattress will ensure you have a good sleep (especially after a long day trekking!)
and ensure the cold is not transmitted through to your body/back. You do not
need a full body length one, as long as your back is not against cold hard
ground, you are sweet.
An easy to mount and light tent will be best to pitch at the end of the day.
 |
| Camping in the valley |
- Topographic Map – Perisher Valley 85252S ~$9.95 (compulsory) & Wildwalks Notes
- Waterproof map case (optional)
- Compass (compulsory)
- First aid kit (compulsory) (here in waterproof bag)
- Purification tablets (preferable)
- Emergency matches
- Sunscreen (compulsory)
- Sunnies (compulsory)
- Hat / cap (compulsory)
- Insect repellent (preferable)
- Cleaning wipes (preferable)
- Toiletries bag with what you need (contact liquid, etc.)
- Bepanthem (to prevent chaffing)
- Toilet paper
- Trowel
- Head torch
- Camera / GoPro!
Not
shown – Telephone
Not
shown – Towel
Ok lots of critical
items here!
First aid kit, map and compass are compulsory. Protection against the sun as well.
First aid kit, map and compass are compulsory. Protection against the sun as well.
To find out where you
can buy topographical maps close to where you live, click here. I went to Map Worldin Sydney CBD to purchase the map, and was really impressed with their customer
service. Very helpful if you plan on going off-track. Otherwise you can buy a
mini map for ~$5 from the visitors centre in Jindabyne. I also recommend reading/printing/taking the notes from Wildwalks on this trek, they are very useful.
There is plenty of water around but it’s preferable to boil/purify it before drinking. Make
sure you have means to do either. Also you need to be
able to create a fire in case of
emergency, so equip yourself with either a small/light camping stove or
emergency matches.
Bring a telephone. While in many parts of the national park you do
not have coverage and you CANNOT rely on your mobile as an emergency communication
device, I found that on higher grounds with Telstra I had several bars and
could place a call. No idea what the coverage is with other carriers. If you go
alone, it might be worth considering renting an emergency beacon from the visitors centre in Jindabyne.
Cleaning wipes are the bomb for your personal hygiene. They
are cheap, do not take much space and are super refreshing. Again, take your
rubbish with you!
- Metal Pot
- Spork (a combined plastic spoon, fork and knife)
- Leatherman / Swiss Army knife
- Stove (preferably with piezo so you do not need matches to lit it)
- Gas canister
- Dehydrated food (Back country cuisine)
- Snack bars
- Lollies / dried fruits / nuts
- Tins (soup / bakes beans / tuna)
- Cup
- Tea bags / Instant Coffee
- Rubbish bags (compulsory)
Based on my
experience with this weekend trek, just get snacks, a medium pot and dehydrated food. The metallic pot will
be good to boil enough water for your meal and to fill a water bottle.
Tins are cheap but
bulky and heavy to carry, and after eating them, they are messy/sharp and still take a lot of space. Sandwiches might be a cheap option but it might be difficult to find time making them, keeping them from being squashed in the pack and staying fresh with the heat!
Dehydrated food is a bit more expensive, but just boil water,
put it in the bag, wait a few minutes and you can then directly eat it from the
bag (so no dishwashing!). I was happily surprised to see that it’s pretty good (though after a long
day walking any warm food would be considered good ;). It is light to carry
before and after eating it and it does not take much space. Your back will
thank you.
As usual, take
your rubbish with you!
Let me know if you found the above pictures and tips helpful and in the next post, we will see pictures and videos of the actual walk.
Let me know if you found the above pictures and tips helpful and in the next post, we will see pictures and videos of the actual walk.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Kosciuszko - Part 2: Prepare - Fitness
G'day!
So you want to go to the top of Mt Kosciuszko and Mt Townsend but now you are wondering how fit you need to be?
Well, while going to the top of Mt Kosciuszko is nowhere close to the effort required to climb Mt Blanc, it still requires a decent level of fitness and endurance.
The Main Range Track is a 28 kilometre loop from Charlotte Pass with a 1,259 metre climb (remember that you will be carrying a big backpack). This took us exactly 24 hours with an overnight camp. Better to plan for a day and a half walking at a comfortable pace (back to the car around/after Sunday lunch).
Not to be too dramatic, while you can go
by yourself, it's more fun to go with friends and preferably by group of
three (or more) to be safe (if someone gets injured, one stay
with the patient and one go to get help). The advantage is that you can also share the load and travel lighter!
If you exercise regularly and can bushwalk for a day with a 10/15kg backpack or you do adventure racing (like the Kathmandu Adventure Races), you should be fine.
While there are some elevations, most of them are gradual and not extremely steep. Apart from the weather (if it is too hot or raining) I think the most difficult part might be carrying a heavy backpack.
If you are unsure as to your level of fitness, or you are not used to carrying a backpack, go for a day long bushwalk with friends. Load your backpack with 10/15kg of stuff (up to you with what ;) and see how you go. That should be a pretty good acid test to assess if you are fit enough/ready or not.
In the next post, we will talk about when to go and the weather!
So you want to go to the top of Mt Kosciuszko and Mt Townsend but now you are wondering how fit you need to be?
Well, while going to the top of Mt Kosciuszko is nowhere close to the effort required to climb Mt Blanc, it still requires a decent level of fitness and endurance.
The Main Range Track is a 28 kilometre loop from Charlotte Pass with a 1,259 metre climb (remember that you will be carrying a big backpack). This took us exactly 24 hours with an overnight camp. Better to plan for a day and a half walking at a comfortable pace (back to the car around/after Sunday lunch).
 |  |
| Walking with a big backpack | The Main Range Track Loop |
If you exercise regularly and can bushwalk for a day with a 10/15kg backpack or you do adventure racing (like the Kathmandu Adventure Races), you should be fine.
While there are some elevations, most of them are gradual and not extremely steep. Apart from the weather (if it is too hot or raining) I think the most difficult part might be carrying a heavy backpack.
If you are unsure as to your level of fitness, or you are not used to carrying a backpack, go for a day long bushwalk with friends. Load your backpack with 10/15kg of stuff (up to you with what ;) and see how you go. That should be a pretty good acid test to assess if you are fit enough/ready or not.
In the next post, we will talk about when to go and the weather!
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Welcome and what is this all about?
Welcome to Mr Mt Blanc!
I have never climbed a mountain before. I have only dreamt about it.
In Australia, the tallest mountain is Mt Kosciuszko, with just over 2000 metres in height.
I love quenching my thirst for adventure, surpassing physical limits and reaching the highest peak.
That is why, this year I have decided to live my dream – to climb a mountain.
But not just any mountain. My mind is set on Mt Blanc – on the other side of the world and more than twice the height of Mt Kosciuszko.
 |
| Mt Blanc (4,810m) |
The plan is to climb Mt Blanc at the beginning of September 2012.
This blog is really intended to provide information on:
- how to prepare to climb Mt Blanc
- adventure racing and fitness
So whether you are interested in climbing a mountain, adventure racing or exercising, you will find valuable information in here.
In the next posts, we will go to the top of the two tallest mountains in Australia, run around Uluru (the biggest monolith in the world), do some adventure racing and much more!
So stay tuned!
So stay tuned!
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