Training Log Archive: bugeater

big TREK. we had ideas of getting some good sleep at this point since we hadn't slept since the opening night. we transitioned, there were sausage sandwiches for the racers. several teams were around us and we decided on an hour TA time.
After getting distracted and also getting through a gear check an hr and 10 min we were headed out. about 2 km later we found a flat spot and looked forward to our first solid sleep. we took 2.5 hrs. around 345an we marched out. we followed contours, stayed somewhat conservative knowing this would be a tricky-ish cp with large flat non-relevant land features. Little did I know the, RD also had another trick, there were several 'tarns' in the area, with only one marked on the map. we ended being a further north than I thought and marched directly to a tarn (cp15). no flag, we rechecked several times and no dice. after a couple hrs we decided to cash in early on sleep we had planned for later, at the moment and wait til light which was in less than one more hour, so with the on paper sleep math, we should minimize the damage. we hunkered down quickly and slept almost an hr. just before light we packed up quickly and headed to th highest ground around. as soon as light showed the land, we realized we were north and we easily picked off the control flag, and blasted out.
the rest of the trek was gorgeous. hard but gorgeous. we hit saddles and ridges with panoramic views with multiple glacier views and perfect weather. We moved well, filling water in fresh , outta-the-rock random streams. magic
we made it to the south turn on the south side of lake Huron and a race personnel told us that we would be bussed forward due to the all of the teams taking way over the time estimated.
Lead team had taken 17hr from that point (lake huron turn to the north) to the end. I had calculated another 12 hrs of food ((rationed out to possibly 20?)and the team had little more than I; along with the fact that we would likely double chris forne's time, it was going to get ugly.
it was the right call to cut teams off. I understand there teas in serious trouble already in the mtns.
we were told to hurry up and load into a mini-bus; we didnt get any sleep because the driver hauled some Ass down some roads for 2 hrs and getting bounced as hard as we were, even the most tired racers, wasnt going to doze off, probably part of the master plan!

C • C'mon 1

Mtn bike stage 3. timings are still a but foggy but I'll do y best

we headed out, and settled in quite nicely. we were only three and move well. tons of hills and we stayed moving to make it out of the hills by dark. some crazy climbs and forever downhills and hot brakes lead to great views. occasionally towing, I stayed within myself and was bit surprised how I tolerated the cims with limited training g in a Minnesota winter.
we made it to the flats that afternoon. the people were out and cheering us. random families and race personnel were cheering and checking in on us. Grateful.
we still had 30mi to go on mostly flat terrain. we placed lined and stayed to stay efficient. the race was definitely slowing us a bit. Marta said "what?' another 10k?" omg! she dug deep, we kept each other company and finished nicely.

stage 2 packraft/trek. Short a teammate, race direction paired us with another very very strong team team that lost a teammate. literally 5 min prior to the race re-start. we were moving gear around, (since they didnt offer) I was still snapping my bag closed when the gun went off. it was a dead run to catch French team Lozere (2 members were from CChurch). After that we went into cp 6 and our team was not yet in congruence with their non communicative style of nav, language not being the excuse and I introduced myself in french. We lost 2.5-3 hrs moving fast and hard through very thick woods with our heaviest pack setup of the race. I figured he could least nail the CP if we were going to go this hard.
Ii was not happy with these guys is an understatement, and I WAS communicating THAT to them. we needed to do better than that. Energy management is key and this was not good.
rest of the leg was fairly uneventful. Beautiful areas, packrafting is so fun and we had a blast. learned a thing or two from one of their mates about reading river lines (good stuff). we likely gained some time on the pack here. Teammates and I were happy.

1st day, full of activities and excitment Tried to pay attention. and learn the maps and how things 'work' as much as possible.
we ended our day behind schedule, with a struggling teammate which, in turn, had a domino effect on our race. Great day, beautiful area and creative RD Andy Fairmaid.