Training Log Archive: Mr Wonderful

Event: Michigan Adventure Race: Epic Edition
 

Showing up at a svelte 215 lbs, I joined Maria for the Epic. Chances of a repeat were low, since (3) ringer teams that were not there last year were there this year.

Course was well-designed and organized. My personal preference would have been for less biking and more O, but I can understand given the venue. Plus it highlights an area for improvement.

The opening sprint was hilarious. People were cruising so fast. I think we were about 2/3rds of the way back until 1/3rd blew by the turn off.

Interesting route choice comparison to #4 - MRA 1 took the higher speed way with more distance versus our direct but draining rail trail. Ours was faster but more fatiguing I speculate.

We took the flat long way around from 5 to the TA and it looked successful - people that had passed us arrived at the same time.

2nd out of the o course, woo woo. But we knew MRA 1 & 2 would soon reel us in, and they did in short order. Then we got to see them leaving every out and back for the rest of the race, mocking us with their lead given by their superior biking fitness.

We took the CCW route for the NE bike points - this was unique. I think it worked for us. We did not find the wasps at 25, hooray.

I think the paddle came just in time, as the biking had worn us out. Nice paddle up to the upriver points, seeing the leaders and gaging our distance. And then seeing that 5th was not as far back as we liked meant we had to go fast enough to not cramp for the rest of the way.

The bike o bingo was crazy! At least 3 of the top 5/6 teams were squiggling around hoping not to miss any

We hauled back to base for the final brief o. But we were pretty locked in and there wasn't enough to do anything, so I was overly cautious and ticked off things a bit.

4th overall and 2nd in coed to our rivals.

Out to CP0

C • Congrats! 2

I should see about re igniting the ad campaign in advance of the fall season.

I have been taking a zig zag of dirt roads home from work to avoid traffic at intersections (eg Pontiac Trail & 7, North Territorial & Anything).

I was cruising west on 5 Mile and came upon a Jeep on its side in the ditch. I think I was roughly the third car to approach the scene. Fortunately the occupants were in perfect health, just rattled. Seems the stepson got to drive, but made a poor choice to swerve for a beaver or ground hog that ran out. The gravel roads have a little ball-bearing effect now, which is not good for swerving. Plus he still killed the critter anyway, so full brakes would have been a good choice.

I thought about trying to pull their car back onto all fours, but I've never done that before and didn't want to damage it further or anything.

Anyways, careful out there. Also, if you choose to ride in shadowy morning 7 Mile, please don't wear ninja black like the guy I passed today!

C • You have a proclivity to happen upon things in ditches :) 4

Removed tire, removed tube, adjusted tire liner to cover the spoke holes, pumped up tube, found no concrete bubbling leak, patched most plausible spot, checked tire in that spot, left tire pumped to 60 psi and hoping for the best tomorrow.

This tire is about half done; when it's a slick I may try the next one as tubeless.

Finding the start for Chilson. Missed the trail out of the parking lot, haha, always a good omen. :)

I tried...hard....to jog a bit. I could shuffle on the flats until about six, then the climb up to 7 ended me. So.....weak..

Nav was pretty good though. Got pushed around a little for #3, but sense was good. Took parallel spur to #9 but caught it at the end and drift over, no harm done.

A few times I should have finished up in the spot instead of looking around early - I need to trust just a tiny bit more and commit.

Great rust buster for the Epic, hopefully it sharpened me up enough to offset fitness deficit to the other teams. Thanks Igor!

C • Pretty good time! 2

shuffle back to the truck. Why did I park on the north end? Also, I should bring a cooler with beverages, since everything was heading towards boiling.