Training Log Archive: KFish

Event: Winter Wildcat 10 hr Rogaine
 

Winter Wildcat 10 hr Rogaine by TanZ Navigation

We were excited for this race because it filled the February void created by the dissolution of NSF adventures. It also gave me the motivation to keep up the training and long runs. Pre-race advertising suggested it was going to be a hilly one!

We arrived just before 7 and got our packs in order before checking in and getting the map. After a brief glance we decided to head south first to tackle Wildcat mountain on fresher legs and grab the 100 points. Otherwise, we made our plan trying to minimize unnecessary climb. Scalex led us to believe we could clear it in ~9 hours, based on 2-2.5 scalex miles per hour.

We headed off in the same direction as a majority of the teams, but most of them split off to attack a tricky looking 74. We saw teams head up at least 3 different reentrants, validating our decision to save this for last when we would be alone and coming down the hill anyway. By the time we punched our first control at 72 it was down to about 3 teams, and the climb up to 54 on cave mountain left us mostly alone. We would see teams now and then for the rest of the race, but never heading to the same control at the same speed. Despite the chilly temps ,~30F at the start, I ditched my rain coat and hat after this climb and never needed them again.

We continued S picking up 94, 53, 63, 64, 32, 43 without any snafoos and getting used to the scale of the map and what spurs and reentrants would look like. We were right on our time estimates for the first 2 hours. From 43 it was a long slog up to Wildcat mountain, the highest point on the map. It took about 45 minutes just to climb, leaving us about 30 minutes behind our time estimate having not accounted for climb in the distances. We had an hour of margin, so we weren't too worried yet. The climb was pretty rugged. We were able to follow and old road of varying quality for part of it, but the last part of the ascent was steep rocky terrain that reminded us of some climbs in the ADKs. We concluded "at least we don.t have our bikes".

The descent from wildcat mountain was slow due to the steepness, but syd was right on the nav and despite the fact that I couldn't visually the spur we were supposedly heading down, we hit 52 right on. 33, 82, 31, and 93 all passed without any problems, going back and forth with one guy for a few controls. After 93 we chose different routes and never saw him again. The climb up to 73 was slow again, but after climbing Wildcat didnt seem too bad.

After 73 the next 5 controls, 21, 34, 84, 44, and 92, were mostly on a road, so we were able to make back some time and actually get back ahead of our time estimates, putting us in good position past the halfway point of the race.

The descent from 92 was the first (and last) garbage woods we encountered all day, with it being a steep hillside covered in small sapplings that snagged our clothes and snapped our faces the entire way down to the stream. Luckily once we made it to the stream it cleared out and didnt take too long to return to good spirits. The climb from 62 to 83 and then 42 both felt pretty easy compared to wildcat.

The next couple were again mostly along a road, so we were able to maintain our time estimate as we picked up 91, 71, 41, and 51, leaving us 2 full hours to make it to the finish with one (albiet the second largest) climb left. The climb up to 61 started off quite steep and slow, but we were both able to keep up a trudge, and we ascended in about 30 minutes. At this point we were confident we wouldnt have any time issues getting back. The climb up to 81 was a little more than we expected, but really wasnt that bad. We tried to be extra careful attacking 74 as we came down, but still almost ended up in the wrong reentrant before correcting. From there it was an easy jog to the finish in just over 9 hours, almost right on our time estimate!

Syd's navigation was spot on all day with only 3 times that I volunteered suggestions or corrections. We both felt great - this was a big accomplishment for me given some of my recent races. My legs felt fantastic the entire time, even though this climb was far more than any other rogaine we've done. I also didnt have any stomach issues. I think the cool temperature played a big role in that, but I also was able to keep up eating and electrolytes throughout the entire race without any problems. I drank almost my full 100oz, and half a gatorade. I ate 3 gu, 2 poptarts, half a bagel, 2 waffles, and a thats it bar. I wore tights and a long sleeve and light gloves. I carried my out there with syd's extra clothes (my back didnt bother me at all either). I think freeletics has really helped my overall fitness. My L ankle did bother my throughout, despite not twisting it at all or recently. It has been acting up, i think I need to find some ankle strengthening exercises.

Overall a fantastic day in the woods. 4/29 overall (Sam Collins by 2 hours! and 2 others by ~20 min). 30/30 checkpoints. 180/180 points.

C • Well done! 3

Scouting May 5th meet at Heritage Reservation. This map is great and this course is going to be SO MUCH FUN!

easy run in the rain. 60F tho!

Easy spin

Onsighted several new 2-4. I think freeletics round 1 paid off