Training Log Archive: dlevine

Event: 2010 Salomon Dontgetlost.ca Giant's Rib Raid
 

Giant's Rib Raid - with the Tree Huggers

Sometimes we do get to benefit from the misfortunes of others; in my case 'Bent's sore knee combined with injuries to other folks landed me a chance to race the GRR with the Tree Huggers. Going in to the race, it was clear that our limiting factor would be my (lack of) fitness, but Bash and Hingo promised to be understanding. (And they were too polite to point out that once on course, it would be futile for them to be anything else.)

The first part of the course was "The Scramble" with a GHO-style relay to "earn" the first map which contained a set of six controls that could be taken in any order. After some debate, we went D, F, E, B, A, C. We bobbled a bit on E by stopping too soon. Interestingly, there were no other teams around - a new experience for me this early in a race!

We set off on Map #1 with Bash and Hingo already starting to leave me in the dust. As we approached control 2, I earned a small moral victory when they overshot the control and had to double back some. Leg 3-4 was my opportunity to lead, but this was almost silly as we were in quite a large pack. Of course, near the control, we overshot and went in to the wrong field as most of the pack seemed to pass us by. On the way to #5, I got confused but Bash was able to keep us going where we should. #6 was the VertiGHO - whose penalty was so small that we planned to punch the first flag we saw and take the penalty if necessary. Of course, immediately upon finding a flag (after another bobble - our last noticeable one of the day) we saw a second. As we were ascertaining that the second was the better choice, GHOSlow punched the second "clinching the deal".

After a quick fuel and clothing break, we headed down the hill and on the long run to Map #2. Here Hingo really proved his mettle as he hung back and got me to chat a bit so that I would keep up a pace instead of being left in the dust by my faster teammates.

Into a very easy and efficient line-O before heading to the aid station. We went for the bridge just west of the station, but when we got there, some folks were doing maintenance and we had to splash the stream anyway. Some quick food and out on the East Loop. Back in and out on the West Loop. Back in and off to the North Loop. Here we made our last small goof of the day, crossing the swamp that is east of N1 too far south. We made it fine and even enjoyed it, but upon leaving N1, we were able to stay completely dry and make better time, so I think it does qualify as a goof. The rest of the loop was fine, but was it really necessary to place N5 completely "off shore"?

My part of the matrix was just control E. As I headed out, my teammates (who had shown remarkable patience with my slow pace) disappeared out of site. I found E with no problem, but the area was a bit rocky and at one point within sight of the flag, both hamstrings cramped up. I limped out to the trail and was really reduced from run/walk to hobble/walk. I headed out to #13, across the dam an down to the field. I tried to cut the corner, but lost time when the fence was largely uncrossable.

As I approached control 13, there was a crowd as expected. Bash and Hingo explained that there was another Masters team waiting for their third runner and we needed to pick up the pace. ("Great", I thought.) Counter-clockwise around the lake and Bash took off up the hill like there was a bear chasing her. Hingo hung back so that I wouldn't get too depressed and it worked. We made the golf course, but I cramped up again going over the stile. Fortunately, there was little distance left and we were able to finish. I'm proud that I cleared the last stream without face planting.

11th place overall, 1st masters. Bash's navigation was right on and Hingo was solid and a great psychological crutch for me. Both of them made me run more than I thought I could, but they got the most they could out of me without breaking me. A remarkable performance. Me? I contributed "Masters years" and some good spots of flags from a distance. And I had an absolutely great time.

Kudos to the course designers who put together an absolutely great course.

Photos can be found in Bash's log.

C • Thank You! 2

C • Congrats! 2

Tired after staying up to watch the Sox on Sunday and the NCAAs last night. Arms were also tired from handball - a rare occurrence.

Speedier class as instructor had to leave early. No official warm-down either was very odd. A bunch of us stayed and mutually led the exercises.

Cutthroat with two older, but very sharp players. First match was 8-8-8 and the maximum top-to-bottom spread had been 2. I remember thinking that I didn't care who won as long as we played that hard and that well all night. Eventually it ended up 10-8-15 as Denny pulled away. Second match was 4-4-4 before I pulled away big; Denny came back, but not enough 15-7-13. At this point, youth took over as Denny and Steve were both tired and my serve found its groove; third match was 15-1-4. Then Denny left and Steve and I played one round of singles. It took forever to get to 4-4, but then Steve had nothing in the tank and I won 15-7.

Best matches in years.