Training Log Archive: Mr Wonderful

Event: Spring Fury
 

Spring Fury with Tizoc. Maria was out for work. Schedules conspired and we were never able to do any practice together, so hopefully he and I would get along together on the course. Distance/time estimates to be refined later.

Our strategy was to stay near the front and then pounce in the final o section, so we started jogging to CP1 with the top 6-7 teams or so.

We did not have a solid exit from the trail heading to CP2, and then did not locate the dry ground between hills, so we cut through the swamp. Here I noticed Tizoc runs through the woods at night faster than I can navigate, so I need to be more assertive in restraining amped-up teammates. :)

Thankfully the swamp still got us to the trail, right where everyone was picking it up at the bend. Then around to the boardwalk, where I had to check up Tizoc so we could punch it. Then off to the boat ramp a few teams back.

C • Looks like you guys 2

Followed glow sticks around the lake. Mostly were around Tony C, Chad V, and Scott E for this. And the White brothers hauled! They destroy on paddling legs.

I ran stern, mostly okay, occasionally distracted and veering. Tizoc navigated from the front and we tried to use cell towers for reference points.

Very cool to be paddling near the end of this leg when we could shut the lights off and still see well enough at dawn.

Exiting the boats we headed back to the boardwalk. We considered a swampy shortcut, but we were moving so well on the trail that we figured 6 mph > 1.5 even at 3x the distance penalty. This worked well - we saw MRA I heading back from #9, and then saw a lot of good people as we headed up the trail to leave for #10. Easily found the dry land between the swamps in daylight. Funny that!

Popped out at what we thought was the right spot for #10, no kayak, but we heard voices so we moved over a bit on the peninsula and found Boks. Tizoc gave me a tug to unstick me from the bog and get me swimming. That was a great AR swim distance for me - enough to be fun and not enough to be miserable.

We jumped on our bikes eager to make a strong ride. And we rode strong. We saw MRA I up ahead in the distance after the single track, and then saw their bikes and them at #14. Game on!

We were excited, and banging off distances and directions.

Again we saw their bikes at 16, punched, and then it happened. We realized we had turned at 15 but not even thought to punch. No no no. Back we go.

On the ride of shame we waved to Tony and Mike. Hi guys. :( And Cooper and Michelle. "Interesting route choice!" said Coop. :( And Tony C and Chad and Scott. :(

2.8 miles extra each way. Not the worst place to ride, the gravel rolled alright and a little was paved. But it was at least a 25 minute problem, excluding the energy cost of an extra 5.6 miles. But, we decided to press on and hope for the best - we had two good navigators, so maybe the o section would play in our favor.

Lesson: Person without the map should have some pace/course notes going and be more aware. I was too lazy the night before to copy down the directions. "Nah, we'll be fine." Usually I can remember the course better - not sure why I failed there. Something to be more conscious of.

Pace fell after we got back to 16 again. I should have gotten Tizoc on tow a bit.

Holy crap, MRA I killed the paddle split. 22 minutes faster? Man!

I forget if we heard we were in 6th or 7th, but we figured we should just keep at it, and hope to do work on the o course.

Paddle was nice. I frequently grabbed water and doused myself to keep cool.

A few logistic improvements - I should have put my floppy hat in the paddle bag instead of leaving it in my truck - I got a bit of sun. And maybe sunscreen in the paddle bag. And I still need a better hydration/food plan for paddling.

But otherwise okay, no tips and we got around most of the logs alright. Especially okay given that the only other time Tizoc and I paddled together was earlier that day! And it was his first time with a kayak paddle (thanks, Barbara!).

Bike sprint to the o course. Tizoc was a bit bike fatigued yet, so he tucked in the draft and we towed a bit on the gravel road, which worked great until I noted a collecting feature and he thought we would look at it more closely. He slowed and I didn't, and he forgot to let go. He was alright after the crash.

Last bike CP before the TA was interesting. I started to look at the lowest point, but Tizoc suggested going a little farther, and there it was. Quite swampy - when punching one of my legs went crotch deep which was unsuspected and a little creepy. I was able to pull myself out.

If there was ever a time to be on, it was now. This was our only chance at redemption.

We tried to jog as much as we could, but I was a little beat and hot, and Tizoc was struggling with cramping.

The pattern of points was devious - I could not figure out an easy clean sweep - mostly the decisions were around which to grab on the way out in the middle and which to save for the way back.

We went clockwise, mixing it up with the Greens, which was good because the trickier ones them being in the same area looking around is helpful. We were choosing different routes and ending up at the same time.

Gosh, Yankee was different. A month ago, visibility was enormous, and all terrain was easy to understand. With it greening up, it was much harder to see the shapes and understand.

Fortunately, still mostly okay. The more I practice, the luckier I get, and they were hung fair and in the right spots.

We had a big tactical decision as to which way to go around the lake, but Tizoc had run out of water and had used up my second bottle, so we hoped that we would find fisherpeople to give us some. It worked! A nice family topped off my spare bottle for him while I dunked my head in the lake.

I really started to drag, just fatigued in the last hour, but Tizoc was really keeping me up, especially when he was not cramping. I was a little worried about making the cut off, but we had already decided after the bike snafu that we would rather risk being overtime and DNFing than finish 7th with too few points to be at the top.

We were coming to the finish after our final point but hadn't seen anyone so our position was cemented...except we saw Michigan Adventure Racing and so we had to kick a bit. But that wore me out, so we walked when out of eyesight. Then Tizoc was back to high energy, so I grabbed his pack for a boost into the finish for the fastest O split, one of only three teams to clear the course.

I was surprised to hear we might be second, and then thrilled when it was finally confirmed. Woo hoo!

Very happy with the result - wished we could have not fouled up to give MRA I a better run, but lesson learned. Tizoc was a great teammate, 10/10 would race with again. Not bad for his 12 hour debut!

C • Awesome race and terrific w... 3

Dropping off the sewer bill. One wonders if community walkability would be enhanced by not needing to go 3200 m to get between places 500 m apart. But it does make for a sleepy back corner of the sub.

If you are a male and want to feel inadequate, may I suggest any X Men universe movie after the first one.

C • Personal trainer? 1

Return from returning returnables

Where should I host in the fall? Probably one five course standard, and a late season night o. Night o has three candidates (ILRA w/ alt. start, Hudson Mills, Maybury). Not sure about the normal five course. Suggestions welcome.

C • Chilson or Bishop Lake? 5

The last "long run" before the 10k in two weeks. We selected Kensington for scenery and trail condition (my personal preferences often get too rugged for spousal jogs).

I wore short shorts and a dark long sleeve t shirt. It was warm. Where was spring? We believe Mackinac will be cooler and largely shaded for the run, which should help.

Cool down

Hot has Hades, so it counts. The lawn part #1.

Part #2 after snack break.

Might need to wear shoes, until at least after the next race....

Leisurely return of more returnables.

sub stroll