Cape Breton Training Camp

This week was a huge step into my fitness for the fall.  My family travelled to Cape Breton renting a refurbished farmhouse. There was no internet and no phone so it made life easier to get out the door.  We stayed about 25K from the serious hills, French and MacKenzie Mountains.  Although they are no Swiss Alps they are still punishing.  My favorite, North Mountain, was especially hard.  I took my GPS and clocked gradients of 14-17%! 

 My brother and I took it upon ourselves to set new land speed records down the mountains.  I am disappointed to say that we only achieved 79km/h.  We had a record breaker going but got stuck behind a tour bus (going a meager 50km/h).  

Most people look to avoid hills but they are key for finding weak spots.  There is nowhere to hide on long climbs.  If you feel really bad I guess you could go down the hill and find another way around the mountain.  In our case this possibility was eliminated; one road in and one road out.  Hills can provide a mental boost when you get to the top, especially when you race up them and finish first!

Looks like classes are on the horizon (summer over already?!).  Hope everyone is still enjoying the daylight hours while they can….. 

Happy Training!

Cliff