Training Log Archive: Harps

Event: Ultimate XC Challenge
 

First day of UXC, let the suffering begin. The night before at the race briefing we were warned about several rapids which contained portages, one of which Dan warned "You will die." A few chuckles. "Seriously, you will die". Silence. Back at the hotel Logie, Relentless and I (over) strategized about bilge pumps, bailers, spray skirts and tows (since we had heard they would be a lot of boat dragging). After a pretty good sleep (it's amazing how much easier it is for me to sleep when I'm not going over the maps in my head like adv races) Dee and Amy shuttled us out to Lac Nominingue. I wanted to keep it pretty conservative since the last time I paddled this distance (at RTNX 08 in Tomcats) it was hell and we still had harder days ahead. At 8am-ish we were off. Start had a few packs forming early, I guess I was somewhere in the 4th pack, which seemed to contain about 7 or 8 of us, including Yip and ActiveSteve. Just plugged away in my trusty kayak until the first portage which also contained a quick rapid. Went in trying to get out at the portage while trying to dodge other paddlers. Once in the boat after the portage, I was dumped again about 15 seconds later on the first rapid, Boost and Soldier Fuel on my deck disappear in the red water, kayak flipped and me banging my knee while being towed downriver by my boat (my tow was attached to save "time"). Gong show. 0/1 on the major rapids thus far (while everyone around me clears them). I am passed by about 6 people while trying to find somewhere reasonably flat to flip my boat to let water out. My luck did change and I cleared the rest of rapids on the day. The paddle down the Rouge was very long and very slow due to water levels although I didn't need to tow my boat at all. I had tossed my bilge pump at the start and regretted that decision since the occassional rapids were letting spray in which built up over the hours and I had to pull over a few times to let water out. I was with the same group for a good 3-4 hours as we all plugged away. Finally we made it to the marked 3.5K (was actually 5.5K according to some with Garmins) portage. It was great. I was so happy to not be paddling, if only for a short time. I loaded up on some Heed and real food (since I went solely on Boost for 5 hours) and ran the roads and trails to the lake put in. This completely rejuvinated me - both being out of the water and "entering the homestretch" (~2 hrs left). Another paddle and portage onto Lac Tremblant and finally done. Happy to be done with the paddle, even if it was probably the least exertive day. Dinner with everyone on a patio, bed by 10pm looking forward to the run tomorrow.

C • Wow, long paddle. Wait to ... 6

Portage run. So happy to not be paddling for a brief stretch.