Training Log Archive: Work4justice

Race report coming soon. Trying to get in the habit of cleaning and putting things away before a race report. :)

Event: Shenandoah Epic
 

Shenandoah Epic
Team Fragile Flowers with Olga Huber (13th OA and only in Div)

Last December Olga and I decided to do this race, thinking some about nationals, but I had to pull out of Nationals because Bash and getawaystix couldn’t possibly find another weekend to have Wilderness Traverse. ;)

We got the rules of travel and Leg 1 maps Friday morning. I liked that idea for preparation purposes. However, on reflection, I am curious how the distance estimates were determined. We were glad for the trekking sections, and really looked forward to racing in an area I haven’t been to before. The set up was a bit clover leaf like, with lots of returns to TA.

Got to the race site quite early (habit!) to the point that I was shuffling around a bit aimlessly for about an hour. We loaded the busses, and headed for the start!

Leg 1: 18k paddle 17k trek 7 hours
It was a warm one, and glad that there would be a swim at the end of this leg. We all got on the water, and started from there. We completed the paddle portion pretty much in the time that I thought we would. Got to teach Olga about the fine art of PADDLE FAST AND HARD! going over the rapids. The river was a bit low and we took advantage of passing a few as they got stuck. The trek was pretty straightforward, we bobbled on one of the locations but were pretty accurate there on out. Ran some but was mindful of the heat as we passed cramped racers. The maps were some duplicated so we could work together. Getting to 7 was a bit slow going, so rocky and made me think of what was in store for UNE. We worked quite well together on this, and future, navigation. Got to the swim across having climbed a few notches after getting out of the water and landed at “average” time.

Leg 2: 33k Bike 4k trek 5 hours
OK, the bike was for sure 33k, but 4k trek? It was short, but I can’t imagine who would have found the straight line distance of 4k! The biking was quite hilly and Olga reminded me that she hadn’t been on the bike, and wasn’t into drafting so I stayed in front of her and suggested maybe being as close as she felt safe being. The bike map was not great, my map wheel wasn’t wheeling correctly (grrr) so I had to estimate on distances and tried to keep track, but overshot a couple of times because it was hit or miss on the side roads being mapped. On our way out to the O section we came across quite a few cramped up racers and threw some E caps at them. The map was pretty straightforward, and Olga recommended maybe not running to save legs for the bike. On this leg, as well, we had to punch a punch card and each teammate had to punch a wristband. I found that odd, but guessing that maybe there were problems in the past. Got to ride my bike at night, with shorts on AND there was a snow/ice storm at home. What a treat! Returned to finish/TA in “average” time.

Leg 3: 9k trek 9 hours
When I saw the map, I think I drooled a little. And we knew there was no 9k about it, and carried on. The map was on a tilt so being mindful of the grid lines was important, and in this section only allowed one map. We probably could have planned a better route, but carried through clearing the section. At one point another team tried to tell us that there was a swim to 15 (island), but when we approached it was maybe 4 or 5 inches. Once we were about half way through, we discussed staying with this section and see it through and maybe shorten Leg 4 (if we did any at all). Took a few breaks to look at the stars, watch another team look around for a CP, and to take it easy. Got back to the TA finish in waaay over the slow time. Ha.

Leg 4: Bike 5k Trek 13 k
Just from the time estimates on the rules of travel, I couldn’t imagine that we would touch 4 at all. Once I saw the maps for it, I realized we would have needed to bike to get to the trek. We discussed it briefly and decided to move on to Leg 5, which I was very excited for!

Leg 5: Bike 12k 4 hours
What a great bike course, very fun! It was the same place we did the Leg 3 trek, but was different on bike—and fortunately the tilted N lines didn’t pose any issue on the bike board. Put Olga in front and I shared what was coming up. Found ways to use the paved roads to cut in and out as necessary, and I think completed the leg in the shortest distance possible. Really fun mountain biking and would love to return. Letting loose on those trails would be cool.

When we returned, we were in 12th place (!!!) but dropped to 13th. We were delighted! I would be interested to do this race again. A great race to shake the dust off and tried a few things like almond butter scones, salami sandwiches (thanks abiperk), forto coffee shots (had one at midnight and was fine—thanks britty), feed zone portables, and my new happy food is oatmeal crème sandwiches (thanks shrek feet). I can honestly say that I have never felt better during a race, and have not had any recovery issues (except maybe sleep) at all.

Funny story about the forto shots…I saw them at a gas station on the PA turnpike, with a posted price of $3.49, and when it rang up, it was 87 cents. I asked if they were sure. They said "that's what it says, they aren't very big you see." I bought them all. And, at the next one, bought them all there. I figured I would be well set for my next 4 bigger races or Britt would have an ample supply. ;)

C • Report 9

Soooo sick of the snow and cold.