How do you train for the Vision Quest?

Discussion in 'Racing and Training' started by crispy, Oct 13, 2013.

  1. crispy

    crispy Wannabe

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    A couple years ago there some some guy who posted on here looking to make a little mini movie, similar to the ones from Gripped Films, about a few guys training for and racing the Vision Quest. Well, I never saw anything about there so I'm guessing it never worked out. Anyways... I decided to start my own little video series on youtube about my training for and eventually racing of the Vision Quest. You'll have to excuse me as I am not a good public speaker and suck right now at making videos, but with practice, I'll get better, hopefully.

    Anyways, enjoy! And if you have any training tips or need any advice, let me know.

    Here is my youtube channel and here is my first video
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 14, 2013
  2. Bplus

    Bplus New Member

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    Dude, be careful what you say! Obama put a camera in your ceiling fan. JK, cool you'll be training on the mtb. Does that mean I'll take or even approach any of your kom's on my road bike, not a chance.
     
  3. jae2460

    jae2460 Active Member

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    How do I train? I eat nachos and drink Fat Tire while sitting on the couch surfing the web, usually mountain bike websites. I'm not saying my approach would work for everyone; in fact I myself have yet to complete a Vision Quest, although I attribute most of my problem to the fact that I have never signed up for one, but my diet and lack of training are likely at least contributing factors.

    No, seriously, good luck--those times are impressive and faster than the one Counting Coup I signed up for and managed to survive, barely. I like the concept of a video but, no offense, I think it would be even more interesting if the subject was a first timer who had never done anything like it before or someone coming back from battling a life-threatening disease...wait a minute...

    Congrats on the beautiful baby as well!
     
  4. oskin100

    oskin100 Member

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    On a bike. Come on everyone was thinking it! Haha awesome idea!
     
  5. Aviatrix

    Aviatrix Active Member

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    I work full-time and have two little ones, so I was limited to one long ride a week. Get in at least 30 miles once a week along the route and you'll be fine. The rest of your rides should be as fast as you possibly can for at least an hour. I wasn't in contention for a podium, but I finished with plenty of time to spare in 9 hrs. Oh and be sure to eat along the way. Bananas are a life-saver. Eat one at every aide station. Good luck!!
     
  6. andy aka rut

    andy aka rut Active Member

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    No need to train for it. Just go ride it.
     
  7. strobe

    strobe resident noob

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    I think the OPer knows about how to train. I just think he is looking for some higher level or specific training ideas that some ppl use to ride the VQ faster. I've done the "Just go ride it" and completed the CC in a bit over 7hrs. Chris is shooting for a sub-6 VQ. Training is required to do that.

    That all said, i found weekly ride up B*, Maple Springs, Harding TT, and Loch Leven were ways i prepared for the sustained climbing efforts of the CC/VQ. Saddle time, intervals, sustained effort rides, and recovery is the only way i know to get faster. I have little time and can only pick one of those a week. Thats why i'm slow. If you're ever on the recovery phase, let me know and i'll try to keep up. lol.
     
  8. crispy

    crispy Wannabe

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    Thanks for that, but I'm not even specifically looking for training advice (though I always welcome any advice), just trying to find ways to stay motivated. It's easy to blow off your goals by getting lazy if you are the only one that knows about them. However, if you tell all your friends and family about it, you have a much larger support group to help keep you motivated.

    So, part of me thought it would be cool to show others how I am trying to accomplish my goal, to help motivate them to reach their goals. Maybe even find people to get together to train with for those long days in the saddle. Another part of me thought it would help keep me motivated, so I don't keep saying, "I skipped my big ride this weekend because I felt like eating pizza and playing gran turismo 6." The last part of me thought it would be cool for the 2015 event, when I go to train, to look back at this year and see just what I was doing, see how far or behind I am in my fitness, motivation, etc.
     
  9. strobe

    strobe resident noob

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    OMG, i swore i would buy a PS3 when they released Gran Turismo 5. Then i had a kid and it never happened. Now, GT6 is about to be released and the next generation PlayStation... I am so behind the times.

    Stay motivated. I look forward to seeing your journey.
     
  10. CarbonLegs

    CarbonLegs Search for ultimate ride.

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    Crispy, post #8 was enough motivation to ride/train = )

    I dont eat fast food let alone Pizza. You might have to kick your self in the rear end one way or the other and kick that habit (Just a thought).

    One thing i learned MTBing "if your not in it, you are in the way"
     
  11. jae2460

    jae2460 Active Member

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    If you are serious, I think we have a very different idea of what mountain biking is about...

    I ride the trails for fun, to connect with people that I love, to enjoy nature and so I CAN eat pizza and drink beer, among other things...

    I understand that VQ/CC are challenging events. But I am sure there are people who put in some seriously good times that don't live like monks in the dark ages for 6 months of the year. Maybe not the top 5, but I'd be surprised if even they didn't have a slice of pizza or a beer every once in a while.

    And the whole "if you're not in it, you're in the way" thing seems like BS to me...

    I like to think of mountain bikers as people who care about other riders and even other trail users, who stop and ask people if they're ok if they're stopped, not people who are in their way. That's been my experience.

    I've trained for and completed a number of endurance events, including Counting Coup, Marathons, road bike centuries, etc. and I always enjoy the camraderie and support of the other riders--that was one of the things I liked the most about Counting Coup, actually--there was something special about that event more so I think than any other that I've done.

    Although I admit I've never raced or understood the appeal other than doing a certain event, achieving a personal goal / competing against myself. I've never been interested in competing against others in sport. Maybe I'm the weird one as I know a lot of people do enjoy racing.

    Just don't be throwing your elbows out on Blackstar at us slow folks stop to regroup, take pictures or smell the flowers...
     
  12. dpmod

    dpmod New Member

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    To the OP, I like the concept and please keep posting videos, based on your results you are a legit endurance racer so it will be good to see how you train, especially with just mainly using MTB bikes on and off the road vs. riding Road and MTB bikes. Also if you want company on your longer training rides on weekends feel free to post, perhaps I or others would like to join.

    Only suggestion I would have is: Dude, can you clean up a little, the background of every shot in your video the place looks like a mess:), I mean we don't need it super clean but all I kept looking at was the background and thinking, man, my wife would KILL me if any of our rooms looked like that, on second thought perhaps I am just jealous to keep it up

    Finally, please STR members lets not hijack this thread and turn it into something that it is not, please save the essense of MTBing vs. in it to kill it posts for other threads. Thanks!
     
  13. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    But what if I'm in it to kill the essence of MtBing?
     
  14. CarbonLegs

    CarbonLegs Search for ultimate ride.

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    My concept of sharing that quote, to be inspirational. First time i heard it, was while training. Shot me with great boost of energy and motivation - i will continue to use it. I simply figured may work for others (maybe not). This may be the wrong thread to share such Quote's, all tho- i thought we were discussing Racing and Training. Not sure where Beer, Monks, Flowers, Elbows come in to play.

    Jae, There are tons of different life styles, i choose not to drink or eat junk food = )

    Cripsy, keep us posted on your training and who ever is attending this event you guys are "Lucky"

    Thanks, M
     
  15. obie

    obie New Member

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    Crispy - good stuff & thanks for sharing. From the thread header I thought you were a noob looking for ways to drop 50# and asking for directions to Maple Springs.

    You've done VQ in 6:12 and need advice? Sandbagger! Cracks me up.

    I dig training journals and such. Particularly Dana Weber and guys like you - job, kids and racing like a pro. Go for it.
     
  16. dpmod

    dpmod New Member

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    yeah my comment was not so much at you and your saying and your lifestyle choices but the other guy who started talking about his idea of MTBing, like you said Different Strokes for Different Folks and I like sayings too, so you can keep those coming and the OP, keep the videos and training ideas coming as well
     
  17. Bplus

    Bplus New Member

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    Loving the sycamore footage from week 24!
     
  18. ridinrox

    ridinrox Well-Known Member

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    A guy noticing a messy house??....it's unheard of...lol
     
  19. Toycrawler

    Toycrawler New Member

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    wondering if you had some information (link) on this race?
     
  20. strobe

    strobe resident noob

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