norikura here we come

Always looking forward to the next race. Next up is Norikura in 11 days time.

I was debating over whether to go to Norikura (JBCF) or the 2 days at Gunma CSC (JBCF) both held on the same weekend. The format at Gunma looked a bit boring really. An almost identical race on both days.

I have fond memories of Norikura finishing 6th in 2007 and riding well until a puncture spoilt things in 2008. Since then the course has been extended. 18 km at 7%. The views are fantastic and it must be one of Japan’s most beautiful climbs.

The perfect training ground for Norikura? Isonobe!

I climbed it twice today.

Climb 1:

Wednesdays before work are becoming a bit of a good habit. 45 minutes with a heavy backpack on my back, like a baseball slugger with a donut on his bat, I'm raring to go once I'm free of the weight.

Yesterday I did some tempo climbing. Today was a chance to turn it up a notch. Simple intervals, 30 s hard / 90 s easy. The body reacted well today. The work intervals felt short, the rest intervals long enough.

Climb 2:

After work is more of a challenge. It's 33 degrees now. Tired from a day's slog. From work to the base of the climb in less than two minutes = no warm up. I want to take it on at lactate threshold. The body doesn't respond though. Aim at 160 ~ 165. Hard enough in this heat.

An easy flat ride tomorrow and maybe some asaren on Ogami Dake on Friday.

Wednesday’s training: Isonobe x 2

Climb 1: Intervals (30 s hard / 90 s easy) x 10 sets

Climb 2: 160 ~ 165 target HR

(72 km, 900 m climbing)