Training Log Archive: mayer22In the 7 days ending Sep 18, 2022:
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Saturday Sep 17, 2022 #
12 AM
TA race 14:00 [0]
A bit long.
Canyoneering race 4:41:57 [4] 9.0 mi (31:20 / mi)
shoes: Salomon Speedcross 4 (DkBlue)
The second crux of the race. We had to travel down Owens gorge which has no trail. The first third was narrow and required us to spend a fair amount of time in the creek with occasional crossings.
The last two thirds it opened up more. It was still slow though. We were mostly rock hopping along the steep side slope of the canyon. Occasionally we had some small grassy areas. We tried to cross when it seemed to make sense but we realized this didn't help when Team Pysched would gain a few seconds on us after crossing back so after that we just stuck to one side unless we had to cross. Crossing also usually required dealing with tougher scrambling through holes in the rocks and nettle. It was also hard to spot what was on the other side sometime because it was dark. We did have some decent moonlight though.
The highlight of the trek was at CP 19 (one third) when we got to take a tunnel under the spur. Not only was this cool it also saved us a fair bit of time vs going around the spur (I believe Vert did).
We obviously weren't running but this was taxing. We took occasional breaks and Biz started having trouble breathing. We figured it was due to all the pollen we kicked up each time we crossed the creek. Mari and I were coughing some too from it.
The last two thirds it opened up more. It was still slow though. We were mostly rock hopping along the steep side slope of the canyon. Occasionally we had some small grassy areas. We tried to cross when it seemed to make sense but we realized this didn't help when Team Pysched would gain a few seconds on us after crossing back so after that we just stuck to one side unless we had to cross. Crossing also usually required dealing with tougher scrambling through holes in the rocks and nettle. It was also hard to spot what was on the other side sometime because it was dark. We did have some decent moonlight though.
The highlight of the trek was at CP 19 (one third) when we got to take a tunnel under the spur. Not only was this cool it also saved us a fair bit of time vs going around the spur (I believe Vert did).
We obviously weren't running but this was taxing. We took occasional breaks and Biz started having trouble breathing. We figured it was due to all the pollen we kicked up each time we crossed the creek. Mari and I were coughing some too from it.
4 AM
Road Running race 50:22 [4] 3.3 mi (15:16 / mi)
shoes: Salomon Speedcross 4 (DkBlue)
We tried to shuffle but Biz couldn't breathe when we did and had to stop after 30 seconds. So we took his pack and shifted to walking fast. We were a bit nervous that a team would come up behind us but we could at least spot lights a good ways back to get a bit of a heads up and didn't see any lights other than Psyched in the canyon. On the road we only saw the teams we had just passed who were also walking.
5 AM
TA race 12:00 [0]
We had our media timeout and then tried to get out quickly in case a team was coming up behind us. Left just before daylight.
Road Biking race 1:37:49 [4] 11.8 mi (7.2 mph)
shoes: Viathon M1 GX
Mostly dirt roads.
Biz was mostly ok on the bike as it kept his heart rate and breathing a bit lower than running.
After we passed CP 21 (and it became daylight) we saw over a dozen teams wandering around. We eventually realized why. The road that we were supposed to use to cross a gulch was gone. We looked around a bit and got intel from the teams but soon realized there wasn't a way around or an alternate route. We just had to cross. So we found a decent spot and dropped into the gulch. We almost came up out of the gulch on the wrong side of another gulch so we had to travel a bit down instead to get to another spot we could come up.
We were super worried another team would come up behind us and save all that time searching to see us coming up the other side. Although we did pave the trail across it seems most other teams struggled with it just about as much if not more than us.
We had a little bit of a struggle finding the other two CPs on the way to TA. The roads were a bit difficult to track and I think we were just losing focus a bit. Fortunately the teams we helped get across the gulch helped us find those CPs.
Biz was mostly ok on the bike as it kept his heart rate and breathing a bit lower than running.
After we passed CP 21 (and it became daylight) we saw over a dozen teams wandering around. We eventually realized why. The road that we were supposed to use to cross a gulch was gone. We looked around a bit and got intel from the teams but soon realized there wasn't a way around or an alternate route. We just had to cross. So we found a decent spot and dropped into the gulch. We almost came up out of the gulch on the wrong side of another gulch so we had to travel a bit down instead to get to another spot we could come up.
We were super worried another team would come up behind us and save all that time searching to see us coming up the other side. Although we did pave the trail across it seems most other teams struggled with it just about as much if not more than us.
We had a little bit of a struggle finding the other two CPs on the way to TA. The roads were a bit difficult to track and I think we were just losing focus a bit. Fortunately the teams we helped get across the gulch helped us find those CPs.
7 AM
TA race 4:00 [0]
Tried to be as brief as possible. Needed just enough to get to the finish.
Paddling race 1:28:28 [4] 6.3 mi (4.3 mph)
Same setup as before except we didn't tow. The creek was pretty swift at first but even after it settled a bit it wouldn't have worked well. On the previous creek we were constantly rubbing up against the banks around turns but they were made of dirt. These banks and sticks and branches sticking out so we didn't want to be doing that.
So basically that meant I tried to move as quickly in the solo to keep up with Mari and Biz who were basically just waiting for me. We felt good because we didn't see any other teams come into TA behind us but we knew we weren't going to move well on the last trek so we weren't taking anything for granted yet.
So basically that meant I tried to move as quickly in the solo to keep up with Mari and Biz who were basically just waiting for me. We felt good because we didn't see any other teams come into TA behind us but we knew we weren't going to move well on the last trek so we weren't taking anything for granted yet.
9 AM
TA race 2:00 [0]
Drop our stuff and go.
Road Running race 47:35 [4] 3.2 mi (14:52 / mi)
shoes: Salomon SuperCross Black
We didn't run any of this as Biz was still having trouble running/breathing but we were looking back and ready to do whatever we could if we had to. Fortunately we had the cushion.
Friday Sep 16, 2022 #
Event: USARA National Championship
8 AM
Adventure Racing race 25:28:35 [0] 128.3 mi (11:55 / mi) +13153ft 10:52 / mi
2022 USARA Nationals w/Biz/Mari
Only tracked the first 2/3 because my watch died (probably from the drive to the start).
The race course was awesome! Multiple climbs to over 10,000ft. Great single track. Two beautiful canyons. Not much technical navigation/orienteering (or trekking in general) but enough tricky spots to hang some people up once or twice (including us). The RD did a great job along with all the great volunteers.
We knew Bones, Bend and Vert would be tough competition but we were strong and consistent enough to hold them off. Biz started having trouble breathing in the second half and that gave us a bit of nerves towards the end. We thought it might have been the dust and pollen but a positive COVID test when he got home indicates otherwise. He toughed it out like a real champ though.
Only tracked the first 2/3 because my watch died (probably from the drive to the start).
The race course was awesome! Multiple climbs to over 10,000ft. Great single track. Two beautiful canyons. Not much technical navigation/orienteering (or trekking in general) but enough tricky spots to hang some people up once or twice (including us). The RD did a great job along with all the great volunteers.
We knew Bones, Bend and Vert would be tough competition but we were strong and consistent enough to hold them off. Biz started having trouble breathing in the second half and that gave us a bit of nerves towards the end. We thought it might have been the dust and pollen but a positive COVID test when he got home indicates otherwise. He toughed it out like a real champ though.
Trail Running race 1:05:35 [4] 3.4 mi (19:17 / mi) +3ft 19:16 / mi
shoes: Salomon SuperCross Black
Started at Horseshoe Lake and then had a big climb (2,000ft) up Mammoth Mountain via Dragons Back. We wanted to be cautious of the high elevation and burning ourselves out too much early so we mostly settled into a comfortable pace just keeping the other teams in sight and not getting sucked into teams behind us.
TA race 3:00 [0]
Quick TA
9 AM
Mountain Biking race 2:14:45 [4] 22.5 mi (10.0 mph)
shoes: Viathon M1 GX
Started going down the mountain on some technical trails (Double black but they weren't bad at all: 2 or 3 spots to walk over/around and one loose sandy descent that we opted to walk).
Finished the blacks and almost missed the first CP. Bend pulled away ahead of us. We thought Bones was ahead of us as well but they made a wrong turn leaving this CP which cost them a lot of time.
Had some trouble finding some trails to traverse the mountain. LOST 4 MINS. Once we started descending again we were in good shape. We were told two teams were ahead of us. We assumed Bend and Bones.
We got to an ATV/snowmobile area with lots of unmapped roads. We opted to take the more navigable route and checked out a map at the entrance to give ourselves even more confidence. We were able to pass Bend on our way through this section.
We also had a beautiful view as we came through Crater Flat.
We had a little trouble getting to CP7. We opted for the shorter route but not to our surprise one of the mapped trails along the road didn't exist. We had to back out a little bit to reattack the road/CP. LOST 5 MINS.
Finished the blacks and almost missed the first CP. Bend pulled away ahead of us. We thought Bones was ahead of us as well but they made a wrong turn leaving this CP which cost them a lot of time.
Had some trouble finding some trails to traverse the mountain. LOST 4 MINS. Once we started descending again we were in good shape. We were told two teams were ahead of us. We assumed Bend and Bones.
We got to an ATV/snowmobile area with lots of unmapped roads. We opted to take the more navigable route and checked out a map at the entrance to give ourselves even more confidence. We were able to pass Bend on our way through this section.
We also had a beautiful view as we came through Crater Flat.
We had a little trouble getting to CP7. We opted for the shorter route but not to our surprise one of the mapped trails along the road didn't exist. We had to back out a little bit to reattack the road/CP. LOST 5 MINS.
11 AM
Road Biking race 1:17:34 [4] 17.1 mi (13.2 mph)
shoes: Viathon M1 GX
As we crossed we were told the team ahead of us (we thought Bones) was 20 minutes ahead (actually only 15) so we tried to put our heads down and hopefully not lose anymore time to them on this fast bike section.
About halfway through I spotted the team in front of us. I was shocked we were catching Bones but it definitely motivated us. We pulled up to the CP as they were still looking for it. Turns out the team was Tower not Bones and the CP was missing. We looked for about 2 minutes and then Cyril drove up behind us. It was pretty obviously missing so we wouldn't have wasted any more time but it was good timing anyway. Luckily he had a spare CP. We punched and left ahead of Tower. LOST 3 MINS.
We eased off a little but still put some time on Tower into the TA.
About halfway through I spotted the team in front of us. I was shocked we were catching Bones but it definitely motivated us. We pulled up to the CP as they were still looking for it. Turns out the team was Tower not Bones and the CP was missing. We looked for about 2 minutes and then Cyril drove up behind us. It was pretty obviously missing so we wouldn't have wasted any more time but it was good timing anyway. Luckily he had a spare CP. We punched and left ahead of Tower. LOST 3 MINS.
We eased off a little but still put some time on Tower into the TA.
1 PM
TA race 6:30 [0]
TA to paddle.
Team Psyched's family gave us a snocone. I got distracted and left my food for this leg at TA. Luckily we were ahead of time and I packed some buffer which was just enough to get me through the paddle.
Team Psyched's family gave us a snocone. I got distracted and left my food for this leg at TA. Luckily we were ahead of time and I packed some buffer which was just enough to get me through the paddle.
Paddling race 2:49:14 [4] 10.5 mi (3.7 mph)
We left just as Tower were coming in.
We had a double and single sit-on-top kayak. Mari and Biz towed me. I could barely keep up with them even when only one of them was paddling.
The first section was windy and I mostly just tried to help some and not drag them too much around the corners. The current was decent.
We came out onto the lake but it was pretty marshy and it took some navigating to get out into the open water. Once we did we were faced with a decent headwind. We paddled through it and to the TA.
We had a double and single sit-on-top kayak. Mari and Biz towed me. I could barely keep up with them even when only one of them was paddling.
The first section was windy and I mostly just tried to help some and not drag them too much around the corners. The current was decent.
We came out onto the lake but it was pretty marshy and it took some navigating to get out into the open water. Once we did we were faced with a decent headwind. We paddled through it and to the TA.
4 PM
TA race 5:30 [0]
We could see teams behind us but weren't sure how far. We left TA well before any teams came in. Mari was a little cold but warmed up quickly on the run.
Trail Running race 1:18:19 [4] 5.0 mi (15:40 / mi)
shoes: Salomon SuperCross Black
Short trek from boats to bikes. We put a few minutes on teams as a result of optimal route choice and execution and despite a short pitstop. This was mostly on roads except for a short canyon crossing and spur crossing.
5 PM
TA race 36:00 [0]
Long TA because we plotted and planned our route for the rest of the race. Mari helped Biz plot and I helped him route plan.
We also filled up water which we ended up dumping about 10 minutes into the climb (no reason to carry all that water up the mountain when there was plenty at the top). I also got my food back that I left before the paddle.
About 20 min after we arrived Bones, Vert, and Tower all showed up at about the same time.
This was also the last time we had any idea how far any of the teams were behind us. We were really just trying to keep pushing ourselves from this point out. It got a bit stressful toward the end when Biz started to feel bad.
We also filled up water which we ended up dumping about 10 minutes into the climb (no reason to carry all that water up the mountain when there was plenty at the top). I also got my food back that I left before the paddle.
About 20 min after we arrived Bones, Vert, and Tower all showed up at about the same time.
This was also the last time we had any idea how far any of the teams were behind us. We were really just trying to keep pushing ourselves from this point out. It got a bit stressful toward the end when Biz started to feel bad.
6 PM
Road Biking race 1:03:52 [4] 6.2 mi (5.8 mph)
shoes: Viathon M1 GX
Road up Rock Creek Canyon on the road (1800 ft). Towed Biz a little.
7 PM
Mountain Biking race 4:03:00 [4] 22.6 mi (5.6 mph)
shoes: Viathon M1 GX
We continued to climb Rock Creek Canyon but now on trail. The trail was nice at first but after the first CP we had the option to take 2 different trails. We stayed on the side of the creek we were on but it wasn't good so we figured we made the wrong choice (we apparently made the right choice). At the next CP we switched sides and it was better for a bit until the two trails converged and we were climbing up rock steps with our bikes for a while.
We stopped at the last campground to fill up water. Then we climbed the last little bit still walking some. After that we had a long fast descent on dirt roads. And then switched to a technical (more so than Mammoth) trail which was fun but slowed us down some for some massive rock features.
This was a long section and we made quite a bit of time on other teams. Bones also misread the rules and took the wrong route (illegal road) which put them out of the running for the win.
We stopped at the last campground to fill up water. Then we climbed the last little bit still walking some. After that we had a long fast descent on dirt roads. And then switched to a technical (more so than Mammoth) trail which was fun but slowed us down some for some massive rock features.
This was a long section and we made quite a bit of time on other teams. Bones also misread the rules and took the wrong route (illegal road) which put them out of the running for the win.
11 PM
Road Biking race 47:05 [4] 7.4 mi (9.4 mph)
shoes: Viathon M1 GX
Fast descent and then climb back up on road to the TA.
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022 #
4 PM
Mountain Biking 18:04 1.63 mi (5.4 mph) +314ft
ahr:111 max:139 shoes: Giro Rumble
Test Ride
Monday Sep 12, 2022 #
5 PM
Commuting 34:39 8.25 mi (14.3 mph) +683ft
ahr:115 max:152 shoes: Giro Rumble
Relaxed ride home. Lightish pack. I could smell Autumn coming