One BIG event down, one to go

The conditions couldn't have been worse at this year's Test of Metal (mountain bike race) in Squamish this past weekend. The rain was absolutely torrential and with 873 racers forging their way through the unrelenting 67 km war zone, the mud was stirred up like wet concrete through most of the course.

That said, I can't remember a time where I was more physically prepared or had more fun. I crossed the finish line as giddy as a school kid. I was 'in the zone' the entire race.

PREPARATION

I spent the past few months riding the North Van mountains a couple times a week, augmenting it with the weekly CrossFit training we've been doing in preparation for the Tough Mudder this coming weekend.

The entire time, I've started my days with an almond smoothie, using Vega Sport Protein as the base to help in the muscle building phase, and sucking back 3-ish litres of water a day (with Vega Electrolyte Hydrator). This past week, I slowly transitioned to a more carbohydrate-focused plan, with the pinnacle being a 4 pound carb-load (literally) for the lunch (thanks to Whole Foods deli) the day before the race.

RACE DAY

I started my day with a whole grain bagel drizzled with a pack of Vega Sport Endurance Gel on each half, drove the hour to Squamish, then drank Electrolyte Hydrator and a Sport Gel before race time. Twenty minutes before race time, I swigged a thick mouthful of Vega Pre-Workout Energizer.

I had 5 Endurance Gels taped to my crossbar, and used them about every 45 minutes, washing each one back with a long swig of Electrolyte Hydrator.

For the past week, I relied on (and utilized) the advice that our own Emma Cutfield gave the Vega Tough Mudder team Emma's Mudder nutritional advice (episode 6). Thanks Emma Emma

NEXT STOP - Tough Mudder in 5 days

Stay tuned for the videos of the actual competition. 

I'm doing NOTHING this week as I let my rasped legs heal (from an epic wipeout down a steep slope into the trees), and taking my daily dose of Vega Sport Recovery and keeping the carb levels up til race day.