Ed McDonald

Ed's blog who smashed it out on his SS at his first solo 24 hour
http://monocog-ed.blogspot.com/

On the road again

After one goal comes and goes you must start to re-focus on the next. Now I am really looking down the barrel to the Worlds. I have enjoyed the week off the bike but it is time for my next 12 week plan. So with some higher volume and some high intensity training ahead, it will be a huge 12 week block for both Kendra and I.
Also it is time to assess my racing and do some planning for what is ahead. There is the Fling, Angry Doctor, the Scott, Kona 24 lots to choose from and category’s to choose. It will be tough and all I really want to focus on is the Worlds, but with the way entries sell out I need to get in early.

Spoony

Here is Craig Armour's Blog. I hope we see him over in Canmore.
http://spoonboy.solonutter.org/blog/

24 hour Solo Nationals 2009

Thursday came Jase and I had sorted a great position, for our support we checked out the course and I liked it.
Saturday came had some early nerves but I felt ready. Started OK I did not have quite the enthusiasm that I usually start with but that is OK, early days. 3:30 PM came, and begun to get acing joints. From 3:30pm to 6:30pm I drank 6 bottles of fluids an Up & Go, and a Red Bull. Something was not right, I was running out of fluids on the bike 6 k’s into the lap.
I was hurting and it was not from riding, but I wanted to keep trying so I pushed on. It was not long and the weather came in and it was raining. Lights were on, but my body was switching itself off but I kept at it. It was very hard I knew I was fighting something that was not going away, and every lap was an effort. It was close to 12pm and I decided enough was enough and pulled the pin. It was a hard choice but one I needed to make. I did not want to compromise my lead up to the Worlds, and I was not prepared to put myself in a big hole for the Nats. So after 17 laps of slogging around Majura with rain and lots of mud, that was it.
Monday morning came and I woke up with joint soreness all over and fever. So I am heading to the Doctors to work out how to get well again.
Kendra did a fantastic effort and really kept me going out there. Even if I did surprise her with those extra transitions, she always had bottles and food ready. Adam and Neil did really well with my bikes that never missed a beat. Kyle was always there when needed to offer help and anything she could, plus the fruitcake was awesome. Brett, who is always keen to make sure everything is OK and help out when he can. Plus everyone else who came out to watch, or asked how I was. It is always great to have people around wanting the best from you.
Well done to all that made it through. It was tough out there in the rain and mud. Jason did really well 1st in his age group and 5th overall. Clayton pushed well to finish 3rd in his category, well earned.
I feel I did learn a lot for this race, and funny enough when the weather came in I actually did not mind it, I liked the rain. I learnt a lot by riding in the mud and slippery conditions that we very rarely have here. So hopefully these things will help me with things to expect in Canada.
So, with some rest I will be back.

I can smell something

It smells like anticipation in the air. It has come up very quick, and it seems as though it is going to be a hot one.

The National Solo 24 is on this weekend, and it looks like the competition is going to be big. It seems many riders are after a top 10, and with English, Claxton, Fenner, the pace will be huge from the start. Another rider who maybe entering is Craig Gordon the 2006 World Champion and he is a machine when he wants something. There are also lots of other riders that will be out to make impressions, including people heading to the Worlds this year and wanting to see where they are at (this includes me). I expect this one to be the strongest field in any Australian 24 hour so get out there and have a look.

Me, I will be out doing my own thing, pushing my own pace, and riding for my own goal. Hopefully I will poke my head out the other side in good form. It is strange I feel prepared to tough it out and every time I do solo’s I seem to get that bit more comfortable with it. No doubt my support has something to do with this, well experianced now. But they are always hard; everyone put’s in so much effort for the race it is hard but not to hope that everyone out there has a good run. So good luck to all who is racing and tough it out.