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The XC thread

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Curly45 Feb 2024 8:53pm, 10 Feb 2024 4,624 posts	Quote Pin Curly45 SPR better than it used to be as the hills around here are 12% or more.we get a lot of practice! My difficulty usually comes on the flat grass bits and keeping my head while people are breezing past. Agree spikes are the way to go, but trial them before going all in at the national or other big event 😂
SPR Feb 2024 9:02pm, 10 Feb 2024 43,611 posts	Quote Pin SPR Curly45 we sound like the opposite of each other, lol. I usually doing that breezing past 🤣 auburnette I started XC in X-talons but eventually went to spikes due to pick up. Looking at my HRs I'm running at around the same HR I raced a HR in in October. The leg strength requirement probably means that's about right but would be interested in what others find. Fragile Do Not Bend agree about the strength requirement, that's why I think a season of XC is a great buildup for the spring/ summer.
SPR Feb 2024 9:04pm, 10 Feb 2024 43,612 posts	Quote Pin SPR Agree with Curly on spikes. Try them in training first to make sure there a now issues.
SPR Feb 2024 9:04pm, 10 Feb 2024 43,613 posts	Quote Pin SPR *are no
rhb Feb 2024 11:02pm, 10 Feb 2024 2,122 posts	Quote Pin rhb Footwear is conditional. I started out with spikes always but maccl courses are mostly ok for x-talon the last few years. It's good to have the choice based on how heavy the ground is & how much path vs mud the course has.
Curly45 Feb 2024 12:37pm, 11 Feb 2024 4,625 posts	Quote Pin Curly45 I also don't wear a watch for XC for those new to the sport it can be useful to see numbers but actually it's a sport of feel so taking it off can be hugely beneficial. I always race better without as I'm not worried about the pace or HR.
SPR Feb 2024 1:15pm, 11 Feb 2024 43,614 posts	Quote Pin SPR I don't look at my watch for racing on XC or road relays. If I did, all I'd see is elapsed time anyway as that is my default screen. I do look for track (still just elapsed time) and did look during my HM in October where I did have pace and distance showing (although I didn't actually take much notice there as I'd have slowed down early on if I had, lol).
auburnette Feb 2024 8:00pm, 11 Feb 2024 2,237 posts	Quote Pin auburnette I'll try covering my watch for the next one, I mainly use it to avoid blowing up in other races but turns out that doesn't work anyway at xc!
SPR Feb 2024 9:37pm, 11 Feb 2024 43,615 posts	Quote Pin SPR You could make something like lap number your default screen so if you do look, there would be no real info on the screen.
SPR Feb 2024 9:40pm, 11 Feb 2024 43,616 posts	Quote Pin SPR I've just realised that yesterday was the first time I've gotten into the top 100 in Div 1 in XC. I thought I was on the trajectory to do it this race as I was just outside last race but hadn't realised I'd never done it before.