After not using my Rollerblades since ARWC 2006 in Sweden I thought I had better dust them off and do some training.

Surprisingly went OK. Can still go fast, and still have a few issues stopping.

Here is a video of my efforts.

LAST WEEKS TRAINING SUM-UP

I log all my training on Attackpoint which is an online training log that everyone can view and comment on. Helps with motivation to see what others are doing. My last 7 days training are logged here.

I also log my training on Garmin Connect, which is pretty cool shows GPS routes, HR details and elevations for my workouts.

Fairly happy with last weeks training, wasn't able to do much running because of a crash from my bike, which resulted in a sore knee but otherwise I am feeling great.

For some reason I have bounced back really well after Primal Quest, no idea why, but stoked to be feeling this good two weeks after the race.

Found a great new program called EveryTrail which enables the user to publish their GPS track in conjunction with any photos taken on that trip. Also has a URL for easy blogging of that trip.

It works only if your camera date and time is calibrated with the date and time for the GPS, EveryTrail attaches the photos the location it was taken on Google Maps. Cool stuff.

Example below.

Run from home at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail: Share and Plan your Trips

I have just purchased a fancy new camera. It is a Canon Powershot D10.

Cool things about this is its high quality, waterproof and shockproof, also takes 12.1mp pictures.

Plan is to use and abuse this camera, take it on missions, so I can report and look back at the fun things I did when I was young.

A detailed review of the camera can be found here.

I have been preparing a training plan over the last several days. I have decided to try increasing the amount of quality sessions or speed work.

Just to see how my body reacts and if it works like it should then hopefully I will be more able to race better and more often.

I have stolen Michael Adams training that he put together for Oceania and adjusted it to include Biking and Kayaking. I understand that the Multi tiered program is supposed to allow you to maintain fairly good speed all the time, which is what I would like to achieve.

Not sure if it will work, I might well break down, but you never know unless you try.

Basically I am sick of being slow, I have plenty of endurance which is fine for AR, but multi sport and Orienteering require a bit more specific training to be successful.

I have been doing OK I guess, but I think that is more the result of being naturally fairly fast, and I would love to start racing at my potential just to see how good I can get.

Look out folks.

I have managed to set up a feed to the right, which shows my last 5 training sessions. You can click on the link which should take you to "Garmin Connect". Shows GPS and HR details. Fancy Stuff.

Well. I have done my usual trick of wasting away during an Adventure race. I weighed in at 76.6 kg this morning. That is a reduction of about 8 kg since I left NZ.

I also suspect I have put on a couple of Kgs since finishing the race. I wish I had taken a before and after nude photo for display.

Just sitting in the Airport on the way back to life after winning Primal Quest Badlands.

Personally I really enjoyed the race, it was generally a real navigational challenge from one end to the other. It was great to do a race with very few restrictions on route choice or limitations on where we could go.

The teams with strong navigations skills did the best.

Here a few photos from the race. I plan on scanning the maps later on.

We drove out to the Badlands to check it out and went for a jog. Cool landscape, much greener than expected, although still hot.

Not as bad or scary as I was expecting. Could be interesting navigating through here, especially at night. Most of the erosion bits are not climbable.

Packing up a weeks worth of race food, yummy.

We have been chilling out in a Hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota, USA for the last few days. Killing time, adjusting gear, shopping, packing and unpacking. Trying to do the limitless things that need doing before beginning racing on the 14th. It doesn't help that we require a massive amount of gear for this race.

I have put my compulsory equipment into my race pack, and it is super heavy, and that is before adding team items, food and the recommended 6L of water. Ouch its gonna hurt.

I admit to being a little nervous with almost 1000km of racing this will be the longest race we have ever done.

We have managed to get out and do some training over the last few days, a couple of rides where we found some nice single track and some horrid sticky mud that clogs up tyres and shoes.

It hasn't been as hot here as I was expecting, but we are heading off to do a little run in the "Badlands" this afternoon which is apparently pretty warm, and should give us some idea of how hot it will get during the race.

Everyone is feeling good except for Roy who has picked up some bug and has the shits, which isn't nice for him, but at least no one else has it.

The race website is www.ecoprimalquest.com they normally do a great job of team tracking, photos and news once the race gets underway.