måndag, november 05, 2007

Hot as hell

Next week is the Zambian National Road Championships and I am supposed to participate in the A class. That is the “Elite”. On the agenda is a 150 kilometer race from Lusaka, past Kafue

and down the escarpments towards the Zimbabwean border. We simply turn around at the 75k mark and ride the same way back.

After yesterday, however, I am having second thoughts.

We did basically just that. A 150k ride down the race route. Up until 115 kilometers I was feeling great. But as we turned around at the bottom of the escarpments I immediately started to suffer. As we climbed up the hills the wind practically stopped and it was steaming hot. I was sweating like never before, a continuous dripping from my chin.

Rick took off and I could not follow. Tom dropped back and pretty soon I found myself in no mans land. The water in my bottles did not cool me off anymore, it was that hot. It was probably good that I was alone as if our follow vehicle had been behind me I would have climbed in and called it a day.

After about 30 kilometers of gradual climbing and with no water left I saw Rick who had decided to wait for us. We waited for another few minutes and Tom and the car also caught up. More water. Cold water. I started coming back to life.

By then we only had about 18 kilometers to go and I was starting to think that I would actually make it. After another 8 or so kilometers, however, I started feeling a bit dizzy and nauseous. Why push it? I thought and flagged down Peter in the car, climbed in and my day was over after 153k.

It was by far the hardest 150k ride I have ever done. Not because of the speed (we averaged a very reasonable 30.5), but the heat. My heart rate monitor showed that the average temp during the ride had been 39 degrees and peaking at 48.

So: How the hell will I manage next Sunday? Well, I guess next weeks course will not be exactly as tough as we will turn around earlier and hence skip some of the steepest climbing. But then again, the pace will be higher for sure. I really hope that the rains will have started by then as that will bring the temperature down significantly, and looking out the window today chances for that are good. On the other hand, plenty of rainfall will make the two gravel sections very very interesting indeed.

I am getting nervous.






9 kommentarer:

Stina sa...

Jesper! That was quite an achievement! I am, as always, stunned by your strength and will! You keep inspiring, even as far away as from Zambia.

As for the race, sometimes you need to face your limitations, and sometimes you need to push your boundaries. No one but you will know which way to go, but I wish you the best, whatever you decide to do.

Jesper Sundewall sa...

I am glad my caving in is inspiring... Sunday will most probably push the boundaries - but I am up for it.
Glad to see you having fun on your new friend. The cyclocross I mean of course. Say hi to all the people I know next time you go riding

Anonym sa...

Fantastic web site, I had not noticed jespersundewall.blogspot.com earlier in my searches!
Carry on the great work!

Anonym sa...

Thanks for sharing the link, but argg it seems to be offline... Does anybody have a mirror or another source? Please reply to my message if you do!

I would appreciate if a staff member here at jespersundewall.blogspot.com could repost it.

Thanks,
Peter

Anonym sa...

Aldon Smith Red Jersey axiotakix
Robert Griffin III Kids Jersey axiotakix
Darren McFadden Jersey axiotakix
http://www.niketexansnflshop.com

Anonym sa...

Brian Cushing Nike Jersey axiotakix
Marshawn Lynch Jersey Women's axiotakix
Doug Martin Jersey axiotakix
http://www.nikebroncosnflshop.com

Anonym sa...

[b][url=http://www.uggclearancewebsite.com/]www.uggclearancewebsite.com[/url][/b] Consult issues that make them consider, which they will be serious about answering, as they really feel good about on their own sharing their lifetime with an individual. In this instance, you! Warning: Will not just shoot numerous thoughts within a row without the need of sharing a bit about oneself. Executing this will likely make them experience unpleasant, as they think you happen to be like a police officer or detective looking to clear up a criminal offense..

[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonsalesstoreus.com/]louis vuitton sale[/url][/b] Cash Back again Credit cards are most useful when producing large purchases because the hard cash back fee is high. These cards are excellent for anyone men and women who use their credit score card commonly for generating purchases and many appreciably, for cardholders who are frequent with their monthly payments and under no circumstances skip them. These dollars again credit cards can bring in decent number of money for cardowners around a period of time if used the correct way..

[b][url=http://www.besthandbagstore.co.uk/]louis vuitton handbags[/url][/b] My conclusion could be the reason waste funds for thousand on the identical high quality you can expect to get for 1 or 2 hundred Pounds. They in addition continuously renew their amount of equipment with weekly introductions of your most current in wallets, handbags and purses, generating frequent visits with their store worthwhile. Company Philosophy at Handbags Entire world - The experienced staff and employees at Purses Planet subscribe towards the belief that building clients fork out an increased value for through which head out of style in each week or for that reason is approach of shortchanging them.

[b][url=http://www.uggbootsoutletukstore.co.uk/]uggs boots outlet[/url][/b] Positioned in almost any Sixteenth one hundred year generator within town of Mougins, the taking in area gave the impression to be Started by simply preparing Roger Edge. With a air conditioner "knife in addition to fork" position by means of Michelin, believe superior amount of, consumed chic stand up obtaining existing working day activates normal meals by Provence in addition to throughout Italy. Regarding the Menu favorites include fish and shellfish stuffed artichoke, roasted Provencal herbs using goat, melted pure mushrooms as well as sweetbread within just oil.

[b][url=http://www.uggclearancewebsite.com/]ugg boots outlet[/url][/b] shtml ), you'll find one-way links to coverage of the United states of america boycott of J merchandise noted by MSNBC, Forbes, CBS, Newsweek as well as other main mass media outlets. Sign up for the boycott and share the information using your family and pals via Twitter, Facebook, email and support make the boycott of J merchandise a hit. We want to work alongside one another to permit them understand that we do not want their poisons within our goods - specifically our toddler products, when formulations exist for other nations around the world that are less hazardous and do not consist of carcinogens as being the goods readily available from the United states of america ..

Anonym sa...

The two men and women will benefit from the romance when they identify and agree what it really is that wants to be addressed The technique of using the 'ALT' key in combination with numbers yields different characters and symbols He together with quarterback Matt Schaub and linebacker Connor Barwin all become free agents in 2013htmlMy Other NFL-related HubsWill the 2011 Detroit Lions reach the playoffs?Will the 2011 Buffalo Bills reach the playoffs?Pray for Tim Tebow to SucceedWhich NFL team will Jack Del Rio go to next?NFL Teams on Their Way to Getting the Top Picks for the 2013 DraftArgument for certain restriction when NFL teams play on both Sunday and ThursdayNFL Quarterback Caleb Hanie - Not Drafted Out of Colorado StateNFL Teams 2011 Season - Division Winners NFL Teams on Their Way to Getting the Top Picks for the 2012 DraftWhich NFL team will head coach Hue Jackson go to next?NFL Teams 2012 Season - Division Winnersmod_2102880" class="module moduleText color0">Defense/Special Teams Week 161
This company is also responsible for any claimthat's why they are called natural pollinators b Then distribute this unique wedding DVD slideshow invitation for inviting your friendsorg8Use your HDD minimallySuppose you are surfing through your favorite online store or working on social networking site[url=http://www.officialhoustontexansprostore.com/cheap-bradie-james-jersey-forsale-c-8_35.html]Bradie James Jersey[/url]
you don't need your hard disk to spin essentially and on a high This is of course a lot simpler than raking an entire yard

Anonym sa...

|
|
|