Training Log Archive: Leanimal

This is an approximate time but close enough.  Aghhhh where to start.  Well I teamed up with superstars Slice and DogRunner for this one and I thought if things went our way we could win this one.  On the mountain bike things were going smoothly as we jumped in front with Phatty's team (with Dr.Wells and Bender).  We hit the first couple of CP's together and dropped back a little when we had some communication issues and passed a sign that was CP2 (the sign was the same colour as the tree so you had to have the eyes out for it).  Talk about learning some lessons though.  I had the map and Slice had the control descriptions so we both had half of the info. we needed.  I didn't want to write too much info. on the map for fear of covering up features but I should have written some info.  We collected ourselves after that and our next mishap was at CP#5.  We were looking for a control on a rock fence and the description was "on a slope at the peak of a rock fence" (or something like that).  Where I had plotted my CP was a the base of some elevation which lead me to believe that the control was near the bottom of that slope of land but the high point of a rock fence.  We found 8 million (almost) rock fences and after 25 minutes finally found the right one only because I continued in the same direction that Salmon Suunto went when we saw them last and I knew that they had it.So as I cursed and swore knowing we had lost valuable time Slice told me to stop beating myself up and we just had to pick off teams one by one.  We went in for CP#6 at the first trail we saw to our right and as we rode north toward the river I yelled out that the CP should be on the south side.  As we crossed I just accepted that maybe it wasn't and not long after we saw the sign we were looking for and Dr. Wells running up to read it.  We followed them out on the next trail and headed south to CP#7 while they went north to 8 since they already had #7.We saw a lot of teams heading back north as we went south and I could only hope that they hadn't been in to #6 yet or we had more work to do than I thought.  #7 wasn't too much trouble and I almost passed 8 but we found it and then were off to try to make up some time.  We came in to the TA (and I was still grumpy) changed quickly and headed to the boats.Slice deserves major cred here for sterning a white water boat on flat water with wind and a heavier (yes that's me) teammate up front.  The boat was trying hard to spin back and forth but Slice is strong and we managed to be only 2 minutes slower than Salomon Suunto here and made up some time on FB's team 3mph.  Ahhhhh the trek.  I knew that the map wasn't going to be accurate but I did think that the trails would be marked according to the map. WRONG!  When we found a trail labelled "highlands trail" on the exact opposite end of the map from where it should be I knew we might have trouble.  As we continued to try to find CP's again and again we continued to see more and more teams on the trek......again the cursing and swearing (Slice even joined me for a little bit).   Eventually we found them all and made our way to the finish line to find no-one around - oh great we were in dead last.  We found out shortly after that that we held on to third but Phatty's team had the same trouble we did and FB and the boys passed them to come in first.  The Treehuggers came in shortly after us but with only 3/4 of a passport and you can read Bash's log for her story on CP#6.So how do I feel about the course overall...well I have to say that I still like the point-to-point format but I didn't really mind doing the clover leaf as much as I thought I would.  I hated the cartoon map (but maybe I have to work on changing my mindset according to the map), the paddle was uninteresting but oh well, and I think I would have rather had a trek in where the bike section was.  We could have dropped our bikes and headed into a trek, come back and picked our bikes up....Anyway once again the girls were awesome to race with and to volunteer with the next day (we made a great flashdance video that may just land us on "So you think you can dance").  I had a blast hanging out with FB, Tommy Hillflyer, AP, Bash, Bent, Goose, Phatty, Dog Runner, and Slice.  It was also so great to see some really green adventure racers out at the highschool race the next day.  I think most of the kids had an awesome time and despite wearing cotton jogging pants and carrying full blown floor bike pumps they were having a blast.  Slice and I got some great pics and video of them that we are going to post on their facebook group.
Here is a post race picture of us in our lovely matching pink Salomon hoodies!
Great weekend overall.

C • Congrats! 1

WHY don't I do this more often......I know this is what I need. Thankfully I have committed to a 1 1/2 hour class every Monday evening.

C • Where? 2

I meant to make this a nice easy ride but every time I started thinking about the race this weekend my pace picked up. Visualization is supposed to be a good thing anyway. My chain should be replaced but it is working well right now (just a little rusty) so I am going to leave it. I know if I start to fart around with it something will go wrong. Too bad it is going to rain on the weekend but at least it is going to be warm.

After visiting Bents office for a little touch-up to Slice's teeth, Slice, the Bullcat, Scooby, Goose, Rocky, MrBiker, and I all headed out for a trail run in Palgrave. The trails are in great shape and we toured around for a while before heading home to see that the Habs have blown it again. Not good, not good!

Long day at work followed up with play-off hockey (goodbye Rangers). I did do a couple of stretches on the couch though for what it's worth (not much)

Out with Phatty, Slice, and the Bullcat for a morning paddle on Lake Couchiching. We circumnavigated Chief's Island and it was funny for Phatty and I to recall that the last time we were in Orillia one month ago we ran around the island on the ice.....the water is chilly though.