Training Log Archive: Mr Wonderful

Event: Michigan Adventure Race: Cannonsburg - 7 or 12 Hours
 

Cannonsburg Edition - 6 hr

I was originally super psyched - with this at 10 ish hours, it would be a perfect place to demo a four person coed team for the then-longer Ludington Edition this fall, making adjustments over the summer.

Then my daughter's high school graduation date was announced - same day. I wouldn't even be able to do the short race! Sorry Ken, find a new partner and have a good time.

Then...later...her school's was moved to Sunday morning! Back on!

Except by that point, CC was waffling a bit. And then her work threatened. On the day of reg closing, she was out.

I debated heavily between 11 and 6. BNM tried her best to enable the 11, for which I am grateful, the but the 6 schedule was just soo much better to be home and rested for graduation. Calmer heads prevailed and I signed up for the 6 on Thursday.

I was originally just going to race for fun and to be glad to be out there, but after 30 seconds I was leading after the opening sprint in my wave. So I figured I'd go after it a bit.

I naturally got passed a bit on the first uphill biking to the first trek. But I caught up when it was flat and Ken said I hit that TA in second.

I got passed en route to my first and second trek flag, but by the third I had picked up a small train. I shook most of them that stopped trusting me just prior to rounding the correct spur, and then met TJ at the next one.

I felt good that I had done pretty well, so I kept after it, enjoying being side by side with TJ although we both swear it was by mutually overlapping race plans.

The first place guy had hammered the section, so on our three lap paddle, he was a full lap ahead of TJ and me on arrival.

For undetermined reasons, I got away from TJ headed to the bike o bingo. That was somewhat confusing - I'm glad I looked at teh trail map before the start. My kingdom for: the best possible map of the trails, highlighted with what they want us to ride, to minimize the locals advantage. "Ride this one, but not that one, yes this one but not the extension...." just give me a map!

Despite being nerve wracking, I went through without major errors...I think.

I was fading just a tiny bit now in the full sun back to the final TA.

I didn't think to ask Angie D about my place as I picked up the final trek map. I poured water on my head and started the final trek....and after three minutes that water evaporated and I started to get really warm. Enough warm that I thought I would have to withdraw before my first checkpoint! So I backed waaaaay off. Not even a brisk walk, but the lowest possible effort walk, especially when in full sun.

My navigation was pretty clean, but it took until the last flag to recover, and I shuffled it in...two minutes behind the other Solo M! So close! And he was just five seconds slower than the best from the next group, which makes me third overall.

Slightly frustrating to be so close to winning it all, especially with all sorts of places to find 120 seconds out there (possibly the easiest...sit in Bear Creek for two minutes before the final trek!), but considering all of life goings on...not bad!

Thanks for reading my novel.

C • Nice Job! 6

camberfixing 326 miles of ownership, approximately

replaced F & R tire - both needed retaping as the existing liners had shifted parts. Trying orange seal endurance this round. Back tire had dry rot cracks so it was a bit of a time bomb
replaced F & R brake pads. turns out I didn't need to bleed brakes, they were just low because of pad wear
pumped up front shock to 20% sag, which seems too stiff

Then rode some wheelies out back. This wheelies sooo much better than my new free bike.

Highlights:

220 yarder around the track, which includes a turn
over a mild speed bump
off a low curb

Mojo is coming back!