Saturday, March 31, 2007
How ya going?
Free-writing- a conversation to self: hmm... i am definitely going into this race underdone. But it is better than way rather than going in 'overcooked' with too much training. I would say i'm really relaxed about the whole deal. I just received an e-mail from Eunice Yeo detailing the meal plan for SAC.
Frankly, i'm not too concerned about it all. I will just bring my own meal options. It helps to be prepared with your own stuff. Back to the undercooked/overcooked issue. I'm definitely under-trained to be confident as a contende in the men's open field (Extreme). But you know what? I would prefer that this be a gauge of my fitness more than anything. I won't place unnecessary stress on myself so early in the season.
out,
Wilson
Frankly, i'm not too concerned about it all. I will just bring my own meal options. It helps to be prepared with your own stuff. Back to the undercooked/overcooked issue. I'm definitely under-trained to be confident as a contende in the men's open field (Extreme). But you know what? I would prefer that this be a gauge of my fitness more than anything. I won't place unnecessary stress on myself so early in the season.
out,
Wilson
How ya going?
Free-writing- a conversation to self: hmm... i am definitely going into this race underdone. But it is better than way rather than going in 'overcooked' with too much training. I would say i'm really relaxed about the whole deal. I just received an e-mail from Eunice Yeo detailing the meal plan for SAC.
Frankly, i'm not too concerned about it all. I will just bring my own meal options. It helps to be prepared with your own stuff. Back to the undercooked/overcooked issue. I'm definitely under-trained to be confident as a contende in the men's open field (Extreme). But you know what? I would prefer that this be a gauge of my fitness more than anything. I won't place unnecessary stress on myself so early in the season.
out,
Wilson
Frankly, i'm not too concerned about it all. I will just bring my own meal options. It helps to be prepared with your own stuff. Back to the undercooked/overcooked issue. I'm definitely under-trained to be confident as a contende in the men's open field (Extreme). But you know what? I would prefer that this be a gauge of my fitness more than anything. I won't place unnecessary stress on myself so early in the season.
out,
Wilson
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Same ol' same ol'
I knew it was going to happen, i just knew it!
Last minute team mate swaps. It's Wilson, the free-agent ARer once more.... Frankly, i sometimes wonder whether any long-term planning is a good idea at all?
It all boils down to my own ability to adapt. Those who fail to adapt, perish. So many variables affect the performance dynamics of an athlete, and even more so the dynamics between athletes. whether they be on the same team or competing against one another... expect change! And unexpected changes too.
Perhaps i should think from another angle (the "Take it easy, man!" angle). It is my build-up race after all, so i should not be fretting so much... although various factors conspire to raise my anxiety level. Let me list them:
All male teams: one of the most fiercely-contested categories in any AR event.
My team mate, good friend, and officer i highly respect - Lien - is a contender, no doubt about it.
I have not been doing much race-specific training, so i'm already at a decided disadvantage.
Mental adjustment and re-prioritizing of race goals: this should be the easiest of all (it's all in the mind... you worry too much!), but when you count mental preparation as a big part of your overall race strategy, it does take a bit of effort to crystalize your thoughts and have new, well-defined goals. Especially in a thinking person's sport like AR.
I've decided, in the course of typing this somewhat 'short' blog entry, that i should not put any pressure on my team. This field of competitors from Sabah is pretty strong... I shit you not. We have Simon Bond teaming up with my old mate Greg and his buddy Cameron; Ryan and Stuart from HK; a huge Ayam Brand contingent including Philippe and Guillame; those good ol' boys from Sabah, Cowboy Miala and Co. (park rangers and perennial winners, it seems); and also Sam and Chris on the other SART team. Add in a couple of dark horses, and also dudes from the UK and Aus.
I've come close to scoring a podium the last time i was on this race, but do i want to podium badly enough next week? That is the question i must ask myself. Whatever the answer may be, it will have i direct effect on our race performance.
Do Lien and i WANT IT badly enough?
"Fortune favours the bold."
Last minute team mate swaps. It's Wilson, the free-agent ARer once more.... Frankly, i sometimes wonder whether any long-term planning is a good idea at all?
It all boils down to my own ability to adapt. Those who fail to adapt, perish. So many variables affect the performance dynamics of an athlete, and even more so the dynamics between athletes. whether they be on the same team or competing against one another... expect change! And unexpected changes too.
Perhaps i should think from another angle (the "Take it easy, man!" angle). It is my build-up race after all, so i should not be fretting so much... although various factors conspire to raise my anxiety level. Let me list them:
All male teams: one of the most fiercely-contested categories in any AR event.
My team mate, good friend, and officer i highly respect - Lien - is a contender, no doubt about it.
I have not been doing much race-specific training, so i'm already at a decided disadvantage.
Mental adjustment and re-prioritizing of race goals: this should be the easiest of all (it's all in the mind... you worry too much!), but when you count mental preparation as a big part of your overall race strategy, it does take a bit of effort to crystalize your thoughts and have new, well-defined goals. Especially in a thinking person's sport like AR.
I've decided, in the course of typing this somewhat 'short' blog entry, that i should not put any pressure on my team. This field of competitors from Sabah is pretty strong... I shit you not. We have Simon Bond teaming up with my old mate Greg and his buddy Cameron; Ryan and Stuart from HK; a huge Ayam Brand contingent including Philippe and Guillame; those good ol' boys from Sabah, Cowboy Miala and Co. (park rangers and perennial winners, it seems); and also Sam and Chris on the other SART team. Add in a couple of dark horses, and also dudes from the UK and Aus.
I've come close to scoring a podium the last time i was on this race, but do i want to podium badly enough next week? That is the question i must ask myself. Whatever the answer may be, it will have i direct effect on our race performance.
Do Lien and i WANT IT badly enough?
"Fortune favours the bold."
Thursday, March 15, 2007
SS is good, and stuff!
I've just assembled my new bike, a singlespeed! Now i too can experience the enlightenment that is singlespeeding. It remains in its commuter form (44T chainring, slick tires) until such time my 34T chainring arrives, and i can find some cheap as knobbies to slap on. This will be my training/commuting/thrashing bike for the foreseeable future.
Did key modifications/components on the finished form:
1. Shortened the brake cable housings
2. Chucked on a sweet-as fixed sprocket
3. My old Time pedals on the cranks, with the old Time cleats on my old Sidis
4. My old XT cranks, flat bars and Oury lock-on grips (good stuff)
5. My old ti seatpost and SLR saddle (even better stuff)
6. A White Industries ENO Eccentric Hub (DA STUFF!)
Oh, it's rigid too. Right now it has (training) brakes on, especially when running as a fixed gear. My long term goal is to be able to do 3-point turns and reverse ride on off-road trails.
Did key modifications/components on the finished form:
1. Shortened the brake cable housings
2. Chucked on a sweet-as fixed sprocket
3. My old Time pedals on the cranks, with the old Time cleats on my old Sidis
4. My old XT cranks, flat bars and Oury lock-on grips (good stuff)
5. My old ti seatpost and SLR saddle (even better stuff)
6. A White Industries ENO Eccentric Hub (DA STUFF!)
Oh, it's rigid too. Right now it has (training) brakes on, especially when running as a fixed gear. My long term goal is to be able to do 3-point turns and reverse ride on off-road trails.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Go natural!
Yes, this is what we did, scaling some REAL rocks, instead of some grimey, plasticy, artificial shite. Climbing on natural rock, which is really what 'getting back to the roots' is really all about. Had a good time meeting new friends amidst the picturesque backdrop of the You Yangs (previous weekend) and the Black Hills (this weekend). Pity i didn't bring my mountain bike on the You Yangs trip... would have loved to check out some of the trails all around the climbing spots there.
Friday, March 09, 2007
The Rock Garden
Thanks to Lenny for shooting and sharing this one of me descending the rock garden (about the trickiest spot in an otherwise-boring/manageable Lysterfield).
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
The Boring Birthday
I had the most uneventful birthday imaginable yesterday. Went for a 2-hour road ride in the morning. Came back, played with my pet project (the ultralight alcohol stove) awhile, then went shopping for hobby supplies and hardware for said project. Got a call from the family later in the evening but that was it (Dad called early in the morning, right in the middle of my road ride! Told him to call back later). Watched rental DVDs, and mulled over the coming season, my e-mails, and the future in general.
What a contrast to the day exactly one year ago, when our team finished XPD, its first-ever expedition length adventure race!
Only 1 year more to play in the 18-24 triathlon age group... =P.
What a contrast to the day exactly one year ago, when our team finished XPD, its first-ever expedition length adventure race!
Only 1 year more to play in the 18-24 triathlon age group... =P.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
The way of ultralight... an adventure racer crosses over
As the title suggests, i have taken a recent interest to ultralight outdoor equipment. Did some window shopping and was pleasantly surprised that there was some good stuff to be found right here in Melbourne. Things like titanium cookware, silicon tarps, Hennessy Hammocks, Ultra-Sil dry bags, and ultralight apparel.
I was particularly fascinated by the existence of 10 gram alcohol stoves (based on the Trangia design) made out of soft drink cans. So my latest pet project is to make one for myself right at home, with my current tools and some extra stuff scrounged from camping stores and hardware stores. By the way, i bought 2 Pepsi Max cans for this project (i emptied the contents on the lawn, would never drink it!) and picked up a third can (a V can) from off a bench at the train station.
Whether it be fastpacking/thru-hiking, bicycle touring, ski/snow camping, or expedition kayaking, i should be ready for it once i have compiled all my ultralight gear.
I was particularly fascinated by the existence of 10 gram alcohol stoves (based on the Trangia design) made out of soft drink cans. So my latest pet project is to make one for myself right at home, with my current tools and some extra stuff scrounged from camping stores and hardware stores. By the way, i bought 2 Pepsi Max cans for this project (i emptied the contents on the lawn, would never drink it!) and picked up a third can (a V can) from off a bench at the train station.
Whether it be fastpacking/thru-hiking, bicycle touring, ski/snow camping, or expedition kayaking, i should be ready for it once i have compiled all my ultralight gear.
