Run for the Toad

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The day started off cold and rainy for Run for the Toad http://www.runforthetoad.com/home.html. Fortunately the rain let up, but it still remained pretty cool. Which is actually great running weather.

This is race is in Paris, Ontario and one can sign-up for the 25km run or walk or the 50km run. I, along with a bunch of friends chose the 50km and a couple did the 25km. It is done in 12.5km loops. Thus, I had 4 loops to do. I had early on hoped to do it 5 hours. However, I was feeling a little down about some personal failures lately that I was not sure I would do on the race. Thankfully, I got out the rut and felt awesome and positive on the Friday before the race. Which I think makes a huge different going to a race.

I tried a couple new things at this race. First off wore arm bands for the first. A black pair with different coloured hearts. For the love of loving. They were awesome. Kept me warm, but not over heated. I only rolled them down on the last lap. Sadly, I do have some nasty chafing under the armpits. I'll have to think of using some sport slick next time. Ouch.

The second thing, was that I used a bib strap around my waist on which I put a small Salomon pouch on for my gels. It didn't bounce. It was super light, and no chafing. It was a great choice. There were 4 aid stations, with water and Gatorade. Then by the 3rd lap, it had chips, gummy bears, coke, cookies. So there was no need for a water bottle. Great!!! There was even a drop bag, but I didn't even use mine.

The 50k races got to go first and I stuck with my friend Shannon for the first 3km. But then couldn't keep up with her. I watched her blond ponytail flop around in front me until the 6km mark and then didn't see her again until the showers.

Met some great people along the race as always. Leaping frogging them back forth and chatting.

The 25km runs start 10 minutes after, and when they start passing you, it can get a little heart breaking. I just had to remind myself that a 25k and 50k pace is different. But some really flew.

First two loops went really well at 1:10 and 1:16 respectively. I was shocked at the end of my second loop to see Audrey standing on the side lines. I thought wow that was fast. Then she said her hip was hurting and she was out. Good choice since she is going the ARWC in Tasmania in 3 weeks. http://www.xpd.com.au/

I expected the 3rd loop to be the hardest. In terms of time it wasn't so bad though, coming in at 1:16. It might of been due to all the great cheers from friends (Richard, who's wife Barb was also running the 50k) and volunteers. They passed water like pros and the best was at 10k getting to the top the worst hill there was a volunteer with a tambourine, standing by a skeleton wearing running shoes and holding a sign saying "No Whining." The best!

So off to the 4th loop. By now my ankle that had been hurting from the beginning was really acting up. But what felt worse was my right thigh that was getting really tight. I punched a couple of times. Which helped. Unfortunately, I walked 2 of the hills at this point and slowly realized that I would be 5 minutes off my 5 hour hope. I tried to go faster, but just couldn't make it happen. Some of the walkers didn't understand trail etiquette which made it annoying. I wonder if they really need to have walkers. Hmmm. Another disappointment was that most volunteers, including the tambourine lady were gone. The last loop is when you need the cheers most, so I can't believe they were all gone. Especially when there were still races behind me that had 1 and even 2 loops to do. Even though was slow on that loop 1:24, I did manage to drop 3 people, including this guy that kept leap frogging me and saying "you go sister'. What the heck? Unfortunately never caught up to anyone. My total time was 5:05 for 50km. Pretty happy about that & looking for the next challenge.

A Caterpillar was Killed Racing Storm the 10

I am not partial to "loop-da-loop" races and so had never done Storm the Ten before, but was super stoked to race with uber star Shannon.

Storm the Ten http://stormevents.ca/stormthe10.htm is a race that combines all the disciplines of adventure racing (paddling, trail running and mountain biking) on a marked trail. The loops are just over 10km long, in this case about 13.5km, and you have 10 hours to complete as many loops as you can. It's a great race in that you can do it solo, in a tag team or in teams of 2, 4 or 6. Shannon and I choose tag team. A little lonely, but a good way to push yourself.

The day was great although a little chilly, especially in the morning. As well when you are waiting for the team mate to do the loop it was hard to keep warm at times. Which made it difficult to go all out again once it was your turn.

Shannon being the stronger, younger, faster running took the first loop, which had an additional 2km run for 3 flags to spread out the teams. She did amazing, doing the first loop with prolong in 1:16:50. Just over a minute behind the first team.

I than took over. Knowing the course ahead of the time helped, as I was mentally prepared for that mountain bike climb at the beginning. I got caught on the up behind some walkers that did not get out of the way in time, so had to get off the bike. Bur cranked it and made it up the rest of the hill. Little bit of confusion, as a bunch of bikes were stopped at the narrow section where bikers and running pass each other. I stopped thinking it was the run already, but super volunteer Andrew told me go on.

The run was easy, only a slight up in the beginning. I opted to stay in my bike shoes the whole time, so save time. But not really sure if it did. As they were pretty stiff to run in. I hit my toe and did a Bugs Bunny slow motion stumbling act, but recovered nicely. No camera to prove it, so you have to take my word for it.

Finished the 2km run and as I hopped on the bike saw the female tag team ahead of us racing down the hill.

I hammered the bike and the paddle. Accidently taking some ones paddle. Luckily they hadn't waited around as they were just getting on the water when I got off. I raced up the hill. That hill is brutal at the end. I punched in with a time of 1:04:06 and handed off the SIdent to Shannon for her second lap. We were now only about 30 seconds behind first.

Shannon had a fabulous second lap, coming in at 1:03:59.

I headed off. This time running in the bike shoes I stumbled and did not recover. I fell big time, scrapping my right shin, back of right calf and then landing hard on my butt. When I got up I brushed my backside off as I started running only to find slim on my fingers. Gross! I landed directly on a poor defenseless caterpillar. Oh dear. My first thought that is was bad for my karma. It could have been the dalai lama reincarnated. This was a bad omen.

But I soldiered on, in memory of that caterpillar. Did not steal some ones paddle and completed this leg in 1:03:32.

Shannon was off like a bullet and did a great job again, with 1:05:03. Although I was a little concerned when she ran down the hill towards the kayaks and gave the signal of a gun to her head. :-)

It was tough to stay warm and know how much to eat in between laps. However, it was super fun to cheer on friends and other racers. Like BugsinTeeth, PhatChicks, LongSaults, Kura, Chetan, We Eat Squirrels, Don't Call it a Comeback.

It was also great, but a little nerve wracking to have the times pop up right away. I think by now we were about 5 minutes behind the first place team. The one team mate a 19 year old mountain biker was doing the loops in 1:01. Not surprising since the ~13.5km loops were broken down, by almost 10km of biking, 2km run, and 2km paddle.

Knowing this I was so determined to shave of 2 minutes and make this a personal best. Unfortunately, even when I thought I was going faster I looked down at my garmin and I was slower on the bike to the run this time. What?! I tried hammer the run, but my shoes seemed even stiffer than the last two laps.

The paddle went well, but not well enough to even maintain my previous times. I came in at 1:07:43. Absolutely disappointed.

I couldn't understand what happened. I decided maybe I'm not resting, keeping warm or fueling up enough. So I tried to focus on that.

The next lap would be my last unless I did a double. I had no idea how long Shannon's laps were taking. Since when I got in it would show the last lap, which was mine and the fast lap, which for now was also mine.

So I was preparing myself for potentially doing a double to ensure we would get a 9th lap in. It was obvious at this point, since we were now about 15 minutes behind first that we could not catch them. However, we could out best, which would be to get in a 9th loop.

Shannon came running past to get the paddle and shouted, "I'm trying to get back by quarter too." Which meant 4:45p.m. so that I would come in before 6p.m so we could squeeze in another loop. The rules were the last loop had to start no later than 6p.m., but would only count if the racer got in by 7p.m. With our current loop times either of us would need to start no later than 5:55p.m. to get back in the time.

She made just over 4:45p.m. I was off. Again with a grimace of determination on my face. However, to no avail. No major mishaps. No murdered caterpillars. Yet still no faster. I was spent. In my head and in my legs. That first big mountain bike climb was just worse every time. I'd think. Okay, I got a good rest. But as soon as I hit the up, my thighs would burn. I just wanted to ripe them off and hit myself over the head with them.

As I came through the tunnel as the end of the bike I saw the young girl from the first place team start their 9th loop. That solidified our second place. But were still going to pull of a 9th loop if I had anything to say about it.

As I dropped the bike and ran towards the kayaks, everyone was yelling, most especially Shannnon who said, "Wanda I love you, but I hate, 'cause now I have to go out again." I was so happy she said that, because there was no way I was going to make through a double.

I grunted and grinded the paddle while Dorota of team LongSaults shouted tips and words of encouragement. The best part of every race by far.

Ran up the hill, coming in at a pathetic 1:07:51, but enough to give Shannon an hour and eight minutes to finish the last lap. Phew!

Shannon blew the course out of the water, completing it in an amazing 1:01:15. She said the only way she could was to do logs.

Just in case it was close. Chetan and I got her kayak turned around and a paddle ready. I handed her the pdf as she ran past. Shannon couldn't zip it up, so I did and she was off. As she got of the paddle she pointed out that the pdf was on backwards. The hydration pack in the front. So funny. We both ran up the hill. She still faster than me. Everyone shouting. It was such a beautiful finish to a great day.

We may not have come first. But I am so proud that we did 9 loops in 9:53:52, giving us a great second place finish.

As Race Director, Sean Roper called our team name "We Don't Do Logs" as the second place winners we had to correct him.

"We do logs now! Sean." Shannon and I shouted. We had to on this course. And boy are we happy we did!

Logs, Rocks & Steel or Learning through fRuStration.

After volunteers at LRS http://logsrocksandsteel.com/home.php a couple years ago, I was finally ready to tackle this Bob Miller designed course solo.

I was looking forward to it, since after a month in BC I finally fell in love with mountain biking. Don't get me wrong I still get off the bike way to much but I'm not so chicken and frustrated as before...or so I thought.

I was a little nervous with paddling. 14km is a lot for me and I was the only solo championship racing renting a bathtub, I mean kayak.

Also, the cut-off was 2:30p.m. which no matter how I looked at it seemed very tight to me. I mean that's only 6.5 hours, given 2.5-3hours on the kayak and 3.5-4hours on the bike. I could miss it by 30min it I was on the high end of my expectations.

I set out early so to Pinecrest, a fabulous venue I must add, so that I could pick a boat.

Although there may have been faster options out there, I had to settle with one I could actually lift and portage.

Then off to the cabin to unload the care and prep for the race. I picked a great cabin right by the bonfire (what I was most looking forward to this weekend) and the lake. The cabin was called Raven. I had it all to myself, but by evening it filled up. It was great to have Barb and Jack there giving me pointers on where to place my bike at the TA and how to be faster in transition.

At 5:15a.m. Saturday morning the dance beats of Jack's alarm crescendo through the cabin. On the second time Gina (Jack's mother) and I both called his name. Gina and Jack were out in a flash and one my one we all began to rise to the darkness of race day.

With my headlamp on I set off to the car to get my bike and set into place beside Jack's. I figured he'd be so far ahead of me I'd have the extra space when I got into transition if I was beside him. Good in theory until some guy squeezed in between us.

Gathered by the boats, while Bob gave a race briefing and Jack got me a string for my SI punch, we all got ready for the race.

Into the water, paddling around while we waiting for Dobos to get into position so we could all start.

The paddle was rough. I knew it would be. I have never paddled 14km on my own. But I was prepared to be at the end, I just really didn't think there'd be so few of us back there. I was with 3 other canoes, one with a dog. How embarrassing. However, I just settled in and took it in stride as I was positive I would pass loads of people on the bike and run. Little did I know. :(

First 4km was good fun, got my stride and came to the first portage. I lifted the kayak no problem and took about two steps when it started to go up hill over large rocks. It took all my strength to balance myself and lift me and the boat over the rocks. The people guys behind me I think really pitied me. I dropped the kayak briefly, then hoisted it up again. Couple more steps and I was sure I was going to loose it. I was almost in tears, physically didn't think I could do it. I managed somehow to get over the last up, then put the kayak down with a thud and decided I'm sorry to admit, to drag the heck out of it.

Back in the kayak for another 3km around and Island to the dock and another 300m up and over portage. This one really hurt. At least I only had to do it once. As people were around I did not drag it. The guys in the canoe offered to hold one end. But I stubbornly said I had to do it myself.

However, once I got close to the end where kids started riding and parents wondered around slowly in front of me, I lost it. I told them I can't move around them, gotta love Gina, because she started hollering at everyone to get out of my way "racers coming through". Then she said my favorite line of the race, "Everyone was dragging it down the hill, just drag it." You didn't have to tell me twice I dropped that thing like a hot potatoes and booted it down to the put it.

Getting myself stuck on a rock and I had to get the team behind me to push me off, my frustration and arm fatigued started to build, and the this last loop just got slower if that was at all possible. One more portage, once more around the Island, off at the dock and abandon the kayak there. Phew.

That took 2:27:58, a good 30-50min behind the majority of racers. However, I was within the low end of my expected time, so I could still make the cut-off and maybe pass some people on the bike.

I was beat after that paddle though and took 4min in transition. Too long, but I didn't care. Just happy to be on the bike, finally.

Happy to be peddling I passed the previous canoers on the bike and was feeling good. But then my bike seat started to turning and slipping. I had to try and adjust it. I tried some tape to hold it in place. Back on the bike for 3 min and the whole seat turned 30 degrees. Off again and took anther e10min to adjust it. Worked this time, but now the top male Pinecrest course guys started to catch up. It was about 6-8 of them and the guy ahead of me kept getting off before every jump and hill, so I wasn't getting any momentum. I grabbed my bike muscled past 4 of them and started to ride.

I was surprised I didn't catch up to any other Championship racers and was annoyed being near these Pinecrest folks. Was really happy when I finally saw a sign splitting us up. I questioned though why it was facing the way it was. Pinecrest racers began to follow me and I told them not too. They argued with me until I rode back and should them the sign and a bunch of hikers in said yeah it's this way. I went to the right on my own. As I continued on the path and the blue flags were so far apart at each turn it was a struggle to figure out which way to go, my frustration of this "marked" trail was getting to me. Added to the fact that I didn't understand the signage back there and by now I should have seen the first aid station. Regardless I had no where else to go but forward, so I continued until I hit the road. Now this I know it's right. Darn it!!!!! F%&! I swear I could have gotten an award for most cursing on a race course. I was like someone on Jerry Springer.

I knew going on the road was wrong, but I had no clue as to where I was or where on the trail I went wrong. Looking at my watch it was noon. I had already been riding for 90min and hadn't reached the first aid station 17km in, although I was sure I had rode that much by now. If had to start the bike all over I'd never make the cut off.

Defeated, disgruntled and completely disappointed I followed the blue markers back, knowing full well I had shorted the bike route and had now DNFd.

I confirmed this when I saw a volunteer and asked if this was the end or if there was more for the championship route. She pointed from where I came and so "It's the end, championship course is way over there." My heart and I peddled slowly and sadly back to the TA.

Chetan, greeted me "With great ride!" To which I responded that if I'm the first girl I am sure I didn't do the whole route and I have DNFd. The course was marked horribly. He tried to chat and joke with me, but I was so pissed I couldn't shake it off. Regardless, for myself I wanted to have a really good run time. Kura came in shocked to see me, thinking he had done an extra 20km somewhere, until I set him straight that I messed up big.

As I checked out I grunted at Shannon's uncle who was at the SI punch and said something nice. I scarred the guy from talking to the next 20 racers. Sorry!!!

Off for a nice run atleast. It was pretty good and I was happy to be out there and at least redeeming myself a bit.

Even played nice with racers, giving Kura a Tylenol when he caught up to me and said his back was hurting.

I continued to run at a good click when I heard screams. Looked like a crowd was behind so figured they had enough people to help them. Got the story of the screams when Kura caught up to me again and asked if I knew first aid. Apparently, he got stung by a couple of bees (so did Christine, who was the screamer, not him of course :p) and then threw up. He was okay though. The upchuck was from the horrible gel he had.

Back to the run. The water crossing and bushwhack was my favorite part by far. Mostly because I love that stuff, but also because it was the best marked part of the whole race.

Dave caught up to me and when made a great team. Ian joined us for awhile and kept us on a good pace, but once I slowed to eat a gel he was gone.

During this time I saw the sign that I had missed on the bike.

It split the Pinecrest and Championship course. It was far ahead and unless it was as your eye level you didn't notice it as there were lots of blue flags to the right (for Pinecrest) and not to the left (for Championship). Incidentally Eric (top male), Leanne (top open female), Sian, (2nd female master), also made these wrong turns. So I don't feel so bad. It was clearly an issue.

During the run I still had moments of "where the heck are the flags" panic. There were just so far apart and with the open Canadian shield, unless you are aware of the trail it is hard to figure it out. Thank goodness for Dave or else I would have been bushwhacking like Leanne or going the wrong way around the loop like the top 2 male team did. I'm happy with the run and who knows if I would have had that energy had I done the full bike, but I do know with the energy I had I still would have been faster if I wasn't looking for markers. The run took 2:26:37.

Really had a great time running with Dave and even bumped in to his son Will on the way.

Gave Bob some talking to when I got back. All in good fun. He did a great job at a great venue. Found out too that Bugs and Teeth were riding all over yelling name since Amber and Teresa told them I never came to the aid station. Amazing to have so many great people involved looking out for you. Sorry to you all that I was so salty during and for a little while after the race.

Finished with chocolate milk, fully clothed dip in the lake and an evening bonfire!

What did I learn? Well, study the map. Don't rely on the markers. Have the map handy. Most importantly I need to calm myself down sooner and not be so defeatist. I was sure going in that the time cut-off was tight. That mind set did me. As any mistake seemed epic. In retrospect I'm not sorry that I did what I did. That is how I felt at the time, and looking at the times I could have made with 10min to spare or 10min pasted the cut-off. Not doing the run would have made the day a complete disappointment for me.

What to do for next year? Oh yeah, there's a next year.

First off, practice my paddling and get a faster, lighter boat, One to ensure I don't sustain the brutal hip bruise from portaging. Two, to get faster so I am not so stressed about the cut off.

Have the map handy and study it.

Calm down if frustration creeps in.

See the LRS http://logsrocksandsteel.com/home.php website for full splits and pictures soon.

Speed Bunnies Rock RockStAR

I am in British Columbia at the moment so missed the RockStAR race. Speed Bunnies, Lisa Davey & Amber Panchyshyn had a great time & Amber wrote a gret report on the experience.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

5:00am

Gosh, really, do I need to be getting ready for a race at this time of the day. No one should be awake now. Do I like racing that much? Oh well, here I go. Car is packed, food is ready. Let’s go.

8:30am

A stop and a detour later, I arrive at the race site. Lisa is already there and getting prepared for the day. We register, get the maps, get the bikes ready to be dropped off and hand in our planned itinerary.

9:30am

I am told I most certainly would not be allowed as a team member of Bugs in Teeth since it is 9:30 and I haven’t even started putting on my race gear yet. I figured the race doesn’t even start to 11 so what’s the rush.

10:15am

We’ve got our race gear, bunny ears on our head and we head to the buses to be shipped off to the race start. As we arrive, there is a small panic that I’ve lost the dibbler already but nope, I’ve packed it in the vest all ready for the first checkpoint. That was very forward thinking of me.

11:00am

After Lisa and I find our bikes lying on the side of the road, we’re off. We’re not in a rush to place first off the bike so we let the speed demons go in front of us. It’s hot, the trails are dry and dusty, there is no need to tire ourselves out at this point. The heat gets to Lisa. The people riding three abreast on the trails gets to me. We maintain a steady pace and stay for the most part within the same pack of twenty racers. At one point, while trying to skillfully avoid the centre of a mud puddle, I take a large branch square in the boob which sends me flying directly backwards into said mud puddle. It’s not really a race until you get muddy so now we’re in it for sure.

12:50pm

We arrive at Checkpoint 1 in The Hub within our 2 hour time frame so yeah for us. We take a quick dip in the lake to help Lisa cool off a bit as she’s very heat intolerant. As we are getting to the lake, Lisa has a huge leg cramp from dehydration/lack of salt. Potato chips and a Hot Rod seem to solve that problem. Unfortunately, the water at the shore is about as warm as bath water so the cooling affect is minimal but it was something anyway.

1:00pm

We head out to get our first checkpoint on foot. We’re off on a “distinct” trail which means it’s not overgrown. We determine we are in about the right place to start heading off on a bearing which of course would take us right through a swamp. It is against the rules to swim in the lake, creek or swamp but we decide that the swamp looks pretty walkable. We take off and the moss or whatever the plant is is very spongy and we only really get wet up to our ankles. Awesome!

Lisa does a great job with the navigating and we hit the checkpoint almost right on. The team we were crossing the swamp with are nowhere in sight. At this point we head straight south following the lake/swamp shore. What a mess. Downed trees, tall ferns, everything was conspiring to slow our progress. As we come out to the edge of another marsh, I notice that it seems to be the same spongy stuff that we crossed before so we should walk across it again. It certainly will speed up out progress. In the end, we crossed all the way down to our second checkpoint without having to bushwack too much.

I made the fatal mistake of not wearing long pants. It was going to be hot you know. So by this time, I have a number of scrapes on my lower legs. Not only that but apparently the deer flies love me. Lisa not so much, but me, OMG. It’s going to be a long day.

Checkpoint 3 is at the end of an indistinct trail. This means there are signs but the actual trail is very overgrown. As I said to Lisa, I’m no Mantracker but I can usually find the trail alright. A couple of times we had to stop and back track a bit but we got there no problem.

3:45pm

We skipped the last two originally planned checkpoints as everything was just taking far longer to get through. The bushwacking was really crazy. We headed back to The Hub for a quick pee break and refill of water then it was off in the canoes. Finally, a leg that both Lisa and I could excel in. With the kayak paddles and the bunny ears, we cruised across the lake to the next checkpoint then headed down the shore to the next. This checkpoint was one where a team member floated in an inner tube across to an island to get the checkpoint. I gave Lisa the job since I figured she would like to be paddling about in the water. I waited on shore cheering her on.

4:30pm

Now we were cruising right along. Part of the rules was that teams had to check back in at The Hub between 4 and 6pm. So after the inner tubing we headed back to The Hub. While I picked up the underwater checkpoint, Lisa had to contemplate which of the last three land checkpoints we were going to get. Knowing what we now knew about how long it is taking us to go over land, we knew there was no way we were going to get the three that we had originally thought. We gave the volunteers our planned route and headed off.

4:40pm

The floating checkpoint was pretty easy to spot. Along the way, the water safety team dropped a couple of iced teas for us which at that point in the day tasted absolutely amazing! We went to our next planned spot to drop the canoe and go pick up a checkpoint but decided that it was just too crazy and decided not to go for it. We went up to the end of the lake and beached the canoe there. The map said there was a trail but apparently we walked right over top it so that we ended up bushwacking our way all the way to the next checkpoint. My legs were killing me. Every new dead spruce tree I walked into was like running through a stinging nettle plant. Ouch.

On our way back, we actually ended up on the trail which was terrific except that we ended up passing the canoes and heading farther south. By the time we checked at the shore, we were near our first skipped checkpoint so we thought we might try to find it again. After 5 minutes or so we decided there were no way we were going to have enough time so we turned around and headed back for the canoe.

6:25pm

Hopping back in the boat, we went to the next checkpoint on the water and then cruised into shore. Still the deer flies are driving me crazy. I killed two of them in the boat and they left little splatters of MY blood on the bottom of the canoe!!

There were two quick checkpoints on shore. The RockstAR portrait which involved fake guitar props (and of course bunny ears) and one more quick run through the grasses to a marsh-side checkpoint Luckily, by this time, so many teams had run to this point the trail was well trampled and I don’t think I got too many extra cuts on my legs.

6:52pm

Cruised into the finish line with a couple of minutes to spare. Woo hoo!! Earlier in the day, Lisa and I had set our goal to be in positive points. This meant that we couldn’t be late of we would start losing points for every minute over time. Success. 760 points all together. Not a huge amount but that put us in the middle of our category so we were pretty happy.

10:00pm

The mosquitoes came out in full force after sundown and still seemed to find me even though I was in a room full of other people. We headed back to our cabin on the edge of Bark Lake. As we went to sleep the water was gently lapping onto shore. It was the end of another great day in the woods.

Great job bunnies!!!

Sandpaper Socks & Black Flies

The joys of my first multisport race http://www.ultimatexc.com/ultimatexc.html in the beautiful ski resort of Mont Tremblant Quebec, was full of encouraging volunteers, great venue, food, friends and sandpaper socks and black flies. You gotta take the good with the bad. That's what multisport and adventure racing, I am learning, is all about.
Two years ago the Ultimate XC event was a running only event. Where I did the 58km trail run. Then called the 50k, but it really wasn't. But that is another story, which you can read about on my blog under the tag wandAR, with the title "What the? Did I just do an Ultra?"

The new format created last year consists of kayaking on Friday, trail running on Saturday and mountain biking on Sunday. If you do all three you are part of the challenger events. Seeing as I have yet to be in a kayak I decided to simply do the running and mountain biking events. And although I am more trained then last (as vowed by the end of last year's blog post) I didn't know how I'd feel doing the 58km and then a 50km mountain bike the next day. So I opted for the 35km trail run and the 50km mountain bike.

Getting to Mont Tremblant and into our condo was the first challenge. Just not used to those nutty round abouts. Choose every direction, heading at one point to the Cirque Mont Tremblant. Finally the last option as the right one. A little trouble finding the hotel. Tiny said, "If the race course is marked as badly as the town, this race is over." However, we found it and even with out a key managed to get into the condo and off to bed.

Saturday June 18th, 2011 35km Trail run:
Got up early, but not as early as the 58kers to register. Saw a friend napping on a chair waiting to see if she could get a late entry. It was great to find out that two other people were doing the 35km length too.
Got my registration and headed down to the street to she the 58kers run past.
The 35km race started at 9a.m. so had time to head back, eat my oatmeal, coffee and banana, change and head back to the race start.

In the pocket of my hydration pack I placed the following pace guide and motivation sayings:

I know pacebands don't work the same for trails as they do for roads. However, knowing the route I felt I had a good idea of how fast things would take me. Plus I really like having my geeky affirmations near me when I am running a tough race.

In case you didn't read the blog mentioned below the Ed line is in reference to how energetic one would be even if Ed Mcmahon came to your door telling you that your won the sweepstakes. Taken from the book "V.E.A.R. Towards Success" by Mike Caldwell.

With those this is my pocket, my hydration system full and snacks in my pockets I was ready. I was a little disappointed when I was already 5 minutes of my time at the first aid station. Especially since I knew I made that time two years ago, without any training. Humph! Onwards and in this case downwards to the water. Actually the next 4km to the water was a great fast run in lots of great winding trail. Although I was getting a little frustrated when I a women wearing road runners passed me. Also it was so strange to have so little racers around. Two years there were a lot more racers and the 58km and 35km started at the same time.

However, by the time I got to the river there was only a half dozen of us together.

At first I was really relieved for the water that in some places was chest height, as it soothed my aching ankle. A tendon strain I have been dealing with for over a month now.

Unfortunately, my relief didn't last long. There were a couple of mucky sections that had to be crossed between the water wading sections. As they had already been trampled by the 58km group and the top half of the 35km group I sunk in pretty deep. I started cursing that I should have done the longer course just to avoid this, as my one leg sunk to almost my knee. As I tried to wiggle it out my other leg went to above the knee. A very helpful racers from Gatineau, Lees gave me her hand and tried to help me. But it wasn't working, so I let go and started to dig my way out. As I dug the muck away more just feel around my leg. I felt like I was in a episode of Giligan's Island and falling in quicksand. I finally waved Lees off and told her, "Just go, safe yourself." She responded with and adamant, "No. I may need you later."

Sounds like something out "Saving Private Ryan" or "For Whom the Bell Tolls."

Lees instructed me to pull my thigh up with my hands. That worked and we moved forward.

Luckily I was back in the water and all clean again.

Now the water was not muddy by sandy at the bottom and my old, holy, Salomon shoes began to fill with sand.

As I reached to rocky, shallow, creek running. I use running very loosely. It felt like I was wearing sandpaper for socks. The slippery and unpredictable rocks wreaked havoc on my ankle with every misstep, and there were lots of those.

Knowing the course helped as I just kept repeating that once this creek run was done it was my race.

Finally, I saw the camera man at the end of creek and headed up to the aid station. The universe was on my side as on the table someone had left a bottle of advil. I couldn't find mine so I took one. Phew. Got to my drop bag, and although wouldn't ordinarily change my foot wear, in this case I had to. Fresh shoes, socks and many sprays of deets I was off to finish this off. I was 20min off my time and knew that next 20km would have two big climbs.

Some how I was able to pass about a half dozen people on the ups. Which is really not my forte. Then another dozen on the down. The downs were awesome and I really felt I was flying. I just strive of on those technical downs, even when I smash my foot against a rock, creating two blood blisters.

Winding my way down and into the village. To get to the finish line just minutes before my goal time and with a crowd of people still there. Which was the greatest thing. So much better than last year. Actually could walk and even run after. As well as enjoy some shopping and dinner with friends, old and new.

Finished in 5:13:18. 71/108 overall, 13/25 women. First place time 3:20:35, last place time 7:05:03.

Off to prep and sleep for tomorrow.

Sunday June 19th, 2011 50km Mountain Bike:

Had a great sleep and woke with only a little aching in the ankles, and a good ache in the quads from that downward run to the finish. As we were getting ready in the condo for the mountain bike, one of the guys pointed out that I had someone else's name plate. The jokes began than that maybe the person with my name plate will win. Well, Logie I'll have you know they other came in after me. Good thing we caught the name plate thing and we switched it.

The 100km mountain bike started at 6a.m. and racers had to drive to the start, so they had to up at 4:30a.m. Ridiculous. I was really happy that I was doing the 50km. However, I was concerned that it started at 10a.m. And most of the night before I was trying to find contingencies plans for people I carpooled to the race with, so they wouldn't have to wait. However, in turn adventure racing nature they were so gracious and reassuring that I just race my race and they'd be waiting. Ahhh.

So up in the morning, Drive to the start. Change the name plate. Quick test ride. Pee. Off.

The first 8km was great. Started flat then some climbs, where I was falling off the back of my bike anytime I hit a rock on the way up. My suspension really needed to be adjusted. Too late now. Then the first down started. About 100 meters into the down I saw a racers on the side changing is tire. Another 100 meters another racer doing the same, and a third in another 100 meters. Then one walking his bike back up. What was going on? Who knows. I got down no problem and then the rolling climbs and downs started. With some dry sandy areas which caused some fun fish tailing. Just over 2 hours and 18km I could see the first aid station. Of course it was a climb to get there. Although I wanted to walk the bike I say three friends at the top and had to ride it. As I meandered up the gravel hill, I yelled to Dee, "Oh my I'm going to fall into the ditch." Almost did. Dee encourage me, "You're good. You're going forward.".

Logie took my bike asked, "How it was going?"

I said, "I'm jumping around like a Mexican Jumping Bean, and my back break is shot."

Dee asked what I needed and cleaned out my bento box. I felt so taken care of.

I was shocked to see Tim. Whose shifter unfortunately broke 25km into his 100km race. Ugh!

Didn't have time to stop and chat though, as Logie handed my bike back and instructed, "You haven't drank enough. Your bottle is full. You have enough food. No need to stay. Go!."

I started to peddle up the road, as Dee coached, "It's a big climb. Just nice and easy. Don't hammer it."

I got to the top of the road and onto gravel, out of eye view an stopped to eat something. :-)

It was a good hard long climb. I climbed a while with Simon. Simon looked like he should be holding on to a guitar not a bike he had just bought a week ago. With his dreadlocked hair wearing a motorcycle helmet, cotton t-shirt and shorts. But a huge smile.

The climb was never ending and at the slow pace the biting flies were even worse. I at the top of one hill I stopped for a gel just to be swarmed by mini horse flies.

Eventually, I came out of the trees to an open area. Looked up and saw Tim. I was pushing the bike up, no amount of people around would have gotten me to ride up that last section to the top of Mont Tremblant. Once I was about half way I lifted my head looked at Tim, "Is that you, Tim. I'm not riding it."

He laughed, "No body rode it. Don't worry."

We walked together to the aid station. Where Tim said I should fuel up good here and passed me some chips. Which I processed to shovel in my mouth, along with half a small, boiled, salted potato and two fig newtons. It was the best mouth full of food I ever had. As I chewed Tim filled my water bottle and gave me the breakdown of the next section. Another up, about 700m, a 3rd of what I did already and then a body rattling down. Woohoo!

Tim was the best support crew ever can't thank him enough. Even if he said, "Don't get used to it. It probably won't ever happen again."

I was off. I don't know about 700 meter climb. I felt as though there were 700 meter ups and downs.

I Fred Flinstoned it twice on the down, as my speed increased and no matter how much I hauled on the break I couldn't stop, I finally just clipped, placed my heels down as breaks, slipped my butt of the bike and let the bike go. Not the best breaking system. However, I think it saved a potential SuperMan move or two.

This last 20km was up and down.

At the final summit there was an aid station from which we were sent on a ridiculous 4 km, virtually unrideable, skinny, rocky, rooty single track. Only to return to the same aid station. I guess he had to get milage in some how.

Now the final down. Full of tight turned, bridges, a couple I fell off of. Lots of walking the sketchy parts regardless of lowering my seat. Nevertheless impressed with how much I did ride an how fast I got on some of those downs.

As I got closer and closer to the Village I could hear the go-karts zipping around the track. This sound was reassuring in the beginning of the race, when I first began to hear. As it made me civilization is near if something went wrong. As the race went on though and the route would take me with in hearing distance of the go-karts and then take me away. It just became a horrible tease. But now I was finally getting to the finish. Finally few turns down the mountain and on the village concrete. Thank goodness.

In true Dan style though, it wasn't a straight shoot to the finish. He still made us figure 8 up and down the village. Cowbells ringing didn't stop people from ducking under the caution making me to yell, "Bouge! Move!", as I whipped by.

Yells of congrats from friends a long the way. One last tight turn and down to the finish.

Finished in 6:10:02. 20/22 overall. 5/8 women. First time 4:21:18. Last time 7:20:35.

Although I had no pace guide or affirmations in my pocket I did have one simple word running through my head whenever I wasn't sure I could climb anymore or was afraid of a steep, sketchy down and it was one that a friend posted on my facebook the day before. "Giver!" And I did!

I honestly can't say I've every been so happy mountain biking in my life.

There may be a mountain biker hiding deep inside me after all.

But it will have to wait a week to reveal itself again, as Svetlana (my bike) is getting some tender loving care.

As you can see from the photo they gave me the 100km medal instead of the 50km.

FAC Huntsville 2011

See more great pictures from the Frontier Race.

Speed Bunnies First Adventure Race Together

Speed Bunnies went out on there first Adventure Race together. The race was put on
by Frontier Adventure Racing and held in Huntsville, Ontario.
http://www.raidthenorth.com/fac/

Amazing race conditions and a great, fun post race atmosphere. Where
we could all enjoy, chat and relax after a fun day.

As for the race. It was a fun course but there were some challenges.
With ear and power bunny rings in tow we run up some great hills to
CP1. Then back down to start the paddle section.
Even though I swore to myself that no matter how hot I was I would put
my waterproofs on for the paddle, I didn't...again. And paid the
price. We had a slow unsynchronized paddle to the CP3. With 1L
barking "Stroke" to try and synch me, the monkey in the middle, up.
Then we were told we didn't make the cut-off for the advanced paddle.
I didn't want to do it anyway as I was chattering fiercely at this
point. However, I was upset because we were actually within the 1 hr
15min cut-off. Having started the race at 10:04, we had until 11:19.
We left the CP3 paddle at 11:17. 2 Minutes.

So we paddled back. Finally in a great groove and passed atleast 4
teams that made the advanced paddle cut-off. Umph!

Then on the bikes. Fun road ride to close to Dyer Memorial, where
Amber and I switched into trek shoes. 1L didn't, which was bad as the
distances were further than she originally thought.
CP6 was a fun hike through the forest along the river, on a nutty of f
camber trail. Lots of scrambling.
Fabulous cooling swamp wade after CP7 to get back to the bikes. I had
mine and 1L pack and tried to keep them dry, but that was pointless as I took a
wrong step and ended up over my waste deep n swampy water. At least I didn't loose the SI
and passport or my bunny ears.
On the way I thought I had lost the passport. Panicked, I ran back, then
opened another zipper in the pack and found it. Phew!

Now a bike to CP8. This was a combo of muddy ATV and some sand.
Twice I pulled my bike out the thick mud, expecting the tires to ripe
of the frame. It was great. Because in those spots where it was so
thick, when you go stuck you wouldn't fall over. It would hold you
upright.

There was also one really fun sandpit section. That made the guy
behind me laugh out loud as I fishtailed one way, then the other, then
back, finally evening out. He was entertained and impressed I stayed on.
I was too. :-)
We got to CP8 6 minutes before the 3p.m. advanced trek cut-off. As
they said we could go on, I hollered, "Great! 'Cause I didn't carry
these trek shoes for nothing." PhatChicks were there and laughed at
me.

As we started on the bikes to CP9 we saw a number of teams turning
back. Bugs in Teeth was one of them. So I asked Rob what was up. He
said, it was too much they were turning back.

We decided to see for yourselves. The girls had an alternate route
they believed would be less steep over all. It was muddy and
hilly but totally bikable. However, 1L was struggling and soon the
bikes were being pushed. We assessed the pace and decided to turn it
around. We all really wanted at least to make it to CP9. But there was
no way we'd be back in time. It was the best choice to turn back for
sure. It cost us a 35 minutes though.

Biking past to CP8, I announced to the wonderful volunteers, "Who are
we kidding we are not that advanced. We are heading in."
They understood.

So lots of hilly, gravelly road to bike back. I was super impressed that I climbed
every hill and really accelerated over each hill.

We were flying up and down the hills.

On the last hill 1L's chain got stuck, though. We tried to unstick it, but
couldn't. I gave 1L my bike to ride up the hill while I ran her bike
up. At the top we did a switch, to let 1L coast down. As there was
no way I could ride a 29er and she felt like a circus bear (her words
not mine) on my small women's specific specialized.
We all came in fast and strong.
Grabbed some food and started on the last 3 trek checkpoints.

Getting to CP10 was a gong show. But we felt better as we found more
teams in the same boat. Lost a good 30 minutes here.

Last two CPs were snaps than to the finish.

3 hopping bunnies to the finish line, about 20 minutes after the
close. Darn it. But in time for dinner.

Fab food after. I ate so much. Good atmostphere, music and company.

Made a big bunny cookie for all to share in the spirit of Speed
Bunnies and got some prizes for our costumes, equipped with a poem (see photo below).

Some of us may have even gone for a polar dip. :-)

(download)

Do the Bunny Hop. Orienteering Style.

The first event of the TOC was today. http://www.toronto-orienteering.com/index.html

The Mob Match, with an Easter theme. So of course 1L and I had our ears on.

I opted to do the long 8k course. 'Cause apparently 29k the day before wasn't enough punishment.

Luckily Bash was there so I followed since I have no navigational skills.

Unfortunately for me, Bash is fast! I kept up with her for the first O-"egg hunt" and through the first 3 points of the next map. Then she went down a hill & I lost her. Panic! I'm on my own. Sure it's just a big field. So it's not like I'd be lost. I could find my way back to the start. But I was out here to find all the point, darn it.

So I wondered, punched the wrong CP. Families were out too. So a couple of parents pointed me out to their kids as the bunny. So I hopped a long with them for a bit and then turned to the mother admitting I was lost, but thought I should be heading to CP4. She was kind enough to orientate my map and point me in the right direction. Sweet!

I got to CP4, but it was one I had already punched. Then a guy doing the 6k course pointed on the other side of the bridge. Double sweet!

After that is was great. Expect the wind really picked up, and it started to hail and then huge snowflakes began to drop. Seriously, we had all seasons in the course of 1 hour.

I found each of the next CPs easily, until CP9. Which I passed, but a guy told me to go back. It's great that people are so helpful during these events. Last two checkpoints and home.

I know this was a total simple course, even children were doing it. Regardless, it was pretty big deal for me, since I get lost in my own backyard. Or Bash's since, that is where the missing CP F from the Rib Raid last week was located.

Bash won first and a case a beer. Now I know why she ran so hard. Thanks for letting me tag along, as long as I could last.

1L won first in the 6k course. Even though she said she'd be walking it.

I came in 3rd. Seems to be the theme for the weekend. Only in this case I think there may have been only 3 females doing the long course. :-)

Celebrated the weekends events with a shopping spree at Running Free. http://www.runningfree.com/

I need a sponsor or to win the lottery. :-D

3 minutes from a Plaque

Ran the 29k Seaton Trail today.
http://www.seatonmudpuppies.ca/race_details/index.html

I knew it was suppose to rain, but when I drove into the school
parking lot (after a wrong turn, regardless of the fact that I'd been
here 2 weeks earlier, ugh) it was pouring rain. I guess long tights
and sleeves was a good idea.
It was 4 degrees, pouring rainy and really windy. Fun fun fun.

I ran in the building to get registered. Then I wondered around
chatting with people trying to decide whether to take my pack or not.
I really didn't want to be carrying a pack that would be soaking wet
in 5 minutes and just weigh me down.

Saw this guy sitting on the floor, looking a little lonely. So I said
"Got the game face on, eh.'' He laughed and we began to chat. He is a
roadie and was doing this for training for the Mississauga 1/2
marathon. I'm sure he was kinda kidding. Anyway, he had me convinced
not to take the pack. And I told Justin if I dehydrated it would be
his fault.

On my way to the car I saw Brian (a mudpuppy I did the measured course
with 2 weeks ago), and he too said don't take the pack.

So I dropped the pack off in the car and headed back to the building
for shelter before the race.

Announcements were done inside and then we headed out to the field.

Shiver, shiver....Go!
And we were off. Well, Justin, Brian and Dave Hitchon and a load of other people were off. I
set my eyes on a women ahead of me wearing blue. That only lasted
less than 2k.

At 2.5k I got to the river crossing with Brian. It wasn't as high as
I thought. My feet did feel like pins and needles after but only for
10 seconds or so. Brian and I stuck together for a couple of
kilometers.

The first 20 minutes for some reason felt like 3 hours. Luckily that
feeling didn't last and I settled into my own pace and enjoyed the
mud, rain and scenery.

Through the twists and turns, ups and downs I ran a good steady tempo.
I noticed a female in a white jacket running behind me. It didn't
really push me to go harder. I knew I had a lot more to go and needed
to keep it steady.

Got to the first aid station. Hollered, "Number 235, in and out."
The Brit and New Zealander I met at the bike show were volunteering
yelled, "Looking strong." And I felt it.
I was really all smiles. Yelling encouragement to runners and lots I
knew by name as they did the 50K, Kathy, Chetan, Chris (High Park
Running Room marathon coach). I was having so much fun.

Crossed the bridge and headed towards the next aid station. That is
what was in my head each step was small goals. Get to the aid
station. I think reading "Running for My Life", by Ray Zahab inspired
me a little. :-)

More trees, mud, hills and fun until I ran through the playground to
the second aid station. At this point I needed a gel. Had one and
downed a cup of e-load and water and run off. White jacket was there
and 1/2 way through her gel gunned it when she saw me running. Oh
dear, I thought there is gonna be a chase. It started to push me a
bit and kept my tempo up, but steady.

This was the last 3.5k to the turn around point. One big up and then
a couple small downs or stairs and flat to the turn around.
As I was running I started to notice some of the lead 29kers heading
back. I started to notice the females turning back and realized I was
in 3rd. Only could I hang on to it. I kept getting ahead of white
jacket during the downs and flats, but she always managed to catch up
on the ups. Unfortunately, in these conditions my downs weren't as
strong as they usually are. Oh well just try and keep it.

Got to the turn around point got some water and headed back. I
couldn't see white jacket behind me so felt good. But knew I had to
keep it up if I wanted third. I be honest I could taste it. I really
wanted this. I never win races like this. Granted I'm new to the
sport, but I just never thought I could be competitive. I go out to
enjoy the trails, the people and just to finish. But now I had a
shot. I tried not to think about it or else I would jinx it.

Just around that moment I started up a set of stairs on my way back
and from the top the stairs I heard, "Good race." I looked up and
saw Funderstorm. That gave me some encouragement to keep pushing.

Then I caught up to and passed Justin and Brian both walking the
trail. I gave them a little peep. I know how that helps but tried to
keep my lead, as small as it was on 3rd place.

Got to the bridge and the playground. Grabbed and eload as white
jacket caught up and started eating a gel. I decided against my gel
and started running. The chase was on.
But after about a 2k I could feel myself slowing. Damn, I should have
taken a gel.

I kept thinking could I strike an alliance with her like on survive.
Could we make a pact to cross the finish line together. Then I
thought she may not even realize we are racing for third. As I was
mulling this strategy over in my head white jacket caught up, and
said, "Why don't we run together. For safety." I didn't quite
understand the safety part. I felt pretty safe. But I was intrigues
and now had an opening, so I said with a smile, "Why don't we just
cross together?"
She said, "We could. I don't care about the being in third." Ah, so
she did realize were gunning for third.
She went on, "I'm not competitive. You can have it. But it is a
race. And you pass me on the flats anyway. So why don't we stick
together until the creek crossing and than race. I know we are
racing, but I don't want to race now."

So we stuck together. Chatted a bit. Her name is Sara.
This chatter started to wear me out more than her. She noticed,
commented and we stopped chattering. Expect for shouts of
encouragement I never talk when I run. Just never built the skill.
Maybe I should start.

At this point I had slowed down. Whether is was the chatter, not
pushing to get a bigger lead or just plain fatigue, I don't know. But
I was just able to keep 2-3 strides ahead of Sara.

At the last aid station Justin had caught. He looked good, but tired.
He joked that the trail was kicking his butt as he sucked down a gel.
That was the last I saw of Justin. No he didn't die. His tail will
be told at the end.

Last 7.5k to go and one really ugly, muddy climb.
At the bottom of the climb about 5k from the finish, I found Brian
again and lost Sara. I don't blame her, if I could have run that
climb I would have, but I had to walk it. My lower back start to kill
and my gut went nuts. I felt like I had to take a serious dump. I
know TMI.
I tried like heck to catch up on the flats, but couldn't keep it up.
My dream of a third place finish was gone. But I was still racing my
race. So off I went at my best pace.

That's when I saw the lime green lady that was in first. She was
walking. What?
Could I be in third. Seriously, I was stoked. Although, I coudn't
move any faster, and no way could catch Sara. I just wanted to make
sure no passed me before the end.

Crossed the creek. It was higher and so much faster than 3+hours ago.
2.5km to go. I chatted to the volunteers and almost fell in the
water. New Rule. No talking during water crossing.

Brian was with me and said 1k left. It felt good to know that, but
that was one long kilometer. My legs were filling tight. I could feel
an inch of mud inside my shoe, which felt like I was carrying cement.
I wasn't so smiley during that last kilometer until I hit the field
and heard the cowbell.
MORE COWBELL!!!!!!

I got to the top and the end was a run around the track. Seriously. Too funny.
Sara run up to me, "Sorry I didn't wait at the creek crossing, my
husband caught up to me. We are only about a minute apart." (We were
actually 3 minutes apart I found out later).
"No worries." I said, "I had a great running and pushing with you.
It was great!"

I finish my loop of the track and got to the finish only to Andrew
Reeder waiting for Funderstorm to come back from here 29k run. Andrew
gave me a shot of ginger ale. Oh joy! I love seeing a friendly face
at the end of the race. It just makes it all worth.

I left it all out there. I couldn't even run to the car.

The amount of mud in my socks was ridiculous. Felt good to be clean,
warm (relatively, I was still chattered a bit) and fed.

There were some causalities though. Once I got my change of clothes
from the car and ambulance came. Apparently another racer saw this
racer only wear shorts, leaning on a tree. The guy said was okay, but
clearly he wasn't. It was close to the finish so the guy finished his
race, told the volunteers to get help, while he grabbed an emergency
blanket and went back for the guy. Wonderful!

As for Justin. Well I was about to leave, when I realized I hadn't
seen Justin. So I went back to the cafeteria where the results were
being posted and saw a DNF by his name. What? I asked the guy next
to me and he said Justin went home in the ambulance. Michael Buble's
doppleganger when home in an ambulance. I couldn't believe he motored
the first half. Goes to show steady is important, just like Brian
told me in the beginning of the race.

At that I saw that I was in third for the female category. So I
stayed for the awards.

Unfortunately, although they called my name plagues only go to the top
2. I was 3 minutes away from a plaque.

But I am pretty happy with the finish.
It may not have been the time I was hoping for, but I was just hoping
to finish and this was even better.

I must say I love trail running. I smile...almost...the whole
time, and the people you meet are always the kindest more encouraging
people.
I am sure that is what draws me most.

I am just so happy about this race. Maybe it was just the field of people out there or the weather. Who knows. But for me to even come close to the top is so encouraging. I do AR and trail races because I love being out there, but never thought and not until today have ever been near the top.

At least I can say it happened once. :-)

From Hippity Hoppity to Hippity Hobbly

Did the Giant's Rib Raid yesterday.
http://dontgetlost.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95...

A fabulous orienteering race.

And all I can say is I am consistent.
As I did the race 2 years ago with team "It's this way...no this
way..." and arrived well past the course finish at 10hr and 17min.
Top teams do it in 3-4 hours. Yup, that's right more than double. I
rock!
However, 2 years ago we did at least get a burger and won the all
female category. Since we were the only one of two female teams to get
all checkpoints and finish the race that year.

This year however, even after shaving 2 hours off the team time, we
missed out on the post race feast and party. Pooh! I heard it was
great!

A good time though with the girls and it was a good debut for Speed
Bunnies. The irony of the name has not escaped us.

The day was gorgeous. Sunny, blue skies, a few slipper icy patches
and snow I didn't expect, but no major falls.

Saw two beautiful, powerful dear bound pass us. I was mesmerized.
Too have that speed and grace. That's what I love most about getting
out there.

As for the race, we were all in high spirits off the bat, with our
bunny headbands bouncing in the wind and our bunny power rings
ignited.

We even bumped into the Wonderbroads (another female team) during Walk the Line. Walk the Line is a section where you have to
orienteer exactly over the line that is marked on the map, as there
are 3 points on the line but you have no idea where. Tricky buggers.
It was probably the smoothest Walk the Line I have ever experienced.

We were pretty stoked we made the 1:30p.m. cut off at CP14 with 16
mins to spare and could move on to the Gnarly Nav. We were really not
interested in a 5 hour penalty. Which is what your team would get if you didn't get to CP14 by 1:30p.m, plus have to skip the Gnarly Nav. We grabbed some food and thanked the wonderful volunteers and went on our way.

However, as this was only 1/2 the race and we had already done 20km of
what was said to be a 23-27km race, we knew it would be slow going for the second half, as the other girls had some prior injuries that were taking their toll. At least the weather was great so a little or a lot longer out doors wasn't too bad.

A testament to the great navigation skills we made the 3p.m. cut off to move on to the Dog Bone Matrix.
Since there were 3 dog bones we split it three ways.
Although I was feeling good about my trail
reading skills with the girls around, on my own was another story.
And so even looking everywhere I did not find CP F. I was super upset
about this. It is now a huge goal of mine to get my nav on.
Pronto!!!

We may have gone from Hippity Hoppity to Hippity Hobbly after 8+hrs of trekking. We finished the entire course with almost all our bunny ears in tact. And smiling of course.

Walking WandAR

wanda wanders and wonders