The Race that Wasn't

I really really wanted to do The Bruce Peninsula Multisport Race, problem is it is a staged multi sport race with one of the sports being kayaking. I don't own a kayak, nor do I know how. I am kinda afraid of big water soo I had a bit of a problem. Initially I asked Luke, he laughed. I asked somebody else they said no so I had to go begging and pleading and promising that if we did this race together as a team our day would not end in divorce.
 After much contemplation on team names, including:

-Must beat Jackie and Kris ( friends who also did the race)

-Chocolate and Chips

-Disqualified for Doping

-Did not finish

We settled on Beauty and the Beast. Luke's the Beauty cause he is nicer than I.

We signed up for the short course, which is comprised of a 4k paddle from Wiarton to Colpys Bay. A 15k MTN around Colpys bay, then a 5.5k run via the Bruce Trail back into Wiarton. As I am a simplistic runner who will drink out of streams rather than be burdened by carrying water I was slightly overwhelmed with the gear list and the logistics of it all. But honestly it wasn't that much, and I the only item I had to buy was a dry bag, which really a ziplock would have covered.

 

The race is bit of a logistical challenge being that transition isn't at the start, and large items like kayaks and MTn bikes need to be transported. I must say the check in process was really simple, sure there are ten steps and you end up hauling all your gear into the arena but all in all not to bad. As I have done soo many races race check in isn't intimidating and I am aware of the process... however Luke is not. I try to do everything as quick and and efficient as possible to expedite the process... Luke not so much.

The race kit. Not shown are all the stickers we affixed to everything with our bib numbers. Bit of a security thing. Your gear was not released back to you without showing your bib. Also not shown are socks. The volunteer apparently thought Luke and I didn't need any.

We rented a tandem kayak,  but apparently, the particular one we rented has no glide and in the future we will rent one with a rutter.  So after struggling with spray skirts- that we really didn't know how to use ( We learn later that we didn't have to use them just have them with us in case) and paddle out to the start line we were off!

So this is the first time we had paddled together more than in the Paisley millpond for 10minites, obviously an adjustment period is in order..... preferably not in a race situation. There may have been some minor yelling and accusations that it was all my fault the kayak kept on going left. Some calming reminders of the fact this was in fact the only time we had paddled together so perhaps it was just going to be what it was going be. I should point out the the non-competitive one was rather frustrated about how much further ahead other teams had gotten. Towards the end of the paddle our speed definitely picked up with the rubbling of thunder in the distance. The somewhat blue sky became quite dark, but we were ok with rain as we like tough conditions. Not sure of our time as it has not been posted yet. I meant to start my watch but as it was to be a fun day I forgot.

 

We ran into transition and immittly are told there will be a 20min wait for the lightening. The hope was that a thunder/ lightening storm would blow over. 20 minutes became 40 and the rain was failing hard. Thankfully, the owner of a shed opened it up to us huddled against a building trying to stay dry/ warm. The storm wasn't going anywhere, practically everybody had a phone and was watching the radar. I was busy hoping that they would send us off time trail style and not as a mass start- cause trail races with mass starts don't work well......then well the race was cancelled. The storm just wasn't moving and that was the end.

I am disappointed the race didn't wait, but I understand logistically a race that is run with volunteers, and insurance policies that very specific in race conditions just could not continue. In the end Luke and I did get a MTN bike ride later in the day, and in the end that's I was looking for. Some time to spend with Luke doing something we both love.

Next year we will be back.