Wilderness Traverse

Not sure where to begin with this one..


The website proclaims it to be a 24hour adventure race covering 150km via feet, pedal and paddle power.  In reality, there is no course, just check points and it takes you however long it takes you to complete. You find your way around using a compass and maps. GPS are forbidden. You can use roads, water, or bush waking to get where you need to go.
So I actually do not know how to do this BUT I was asked to be on a team and this is not the sort of thing you do apparently solo so I was the token vagina.

The other team members I knew to be a older fellow who has done lots of these sorts of races but has never finished this one and is the navigator and the caption. A twenty something fellow who has never ran more then 12k but is an iron worker and has good overall fitness and another twenty something who has raced cross country skiing and o-cup and has won the BPMR several times. A real mixed bag. Was pretty worried i would be the weakest link. How it works is you stay together for the entire race. It is a d/q to be more then 100 meters apart.

So we start off and running. First section is a simple trek- lots of running when able. Easy to find check points. Could really just follow the crowd.  Apparently around 7k. Feet wet from about 15min in, and that is how they stayed for the next 26hours.

Then we get on the bikes for that is to be 24kish. within the first 15min we are looking at a culvert under the 400 filled with water in which were to ride under, so i did.....but then we realized it was the wrong way so we went back...soaking wet, wet , wet. But really that was just a few minutes early for the rest of the ride where we went through many puddles. Apparently part of the park trail. This seems to a good representation of what we rode through.
 
Lost feeling in my feet early on. At one point I was trying to get a drink from my hose and did not realize that anybody was behind me, and I fell over taking out a lady beside me. I jumped up and said I was fine but the lady  said to her team mates she was physically fine but mentally not.... yah so after that I rode fast for awhile to get away, I am not responsible for her mental state. There was not much elevation change as it is a old rail line but eventually I realized that my front de-railer was not working. Thankfully one of the guys has repaired bikes in the past.

Onto the trek/ run. This is where it was a bit frustrating as I would have ran more as that was my strength but obviously it is not everybodys and honestly we had to keep going for 20more hours thus bit of pacing was in order. As Ken the only navigator was the caption we all just followed.  Occasional jokes about the great north Korean leader also followed. My job was to pace count. Basically I learned how long it took me to cover a variety of terrain. Thus I counted my steps for long sections. I counted through forest and march and even along the tops of beaver dams. This was also the section where we swam to an island for a checkpoint. I took off some clothes and put them and my backpack in a garbage bag and then put clothes on when we got across. In the future I would invest in a soft dry bag big enough to cover my entire pack as the garbage bag was not perfect and it took a long while to undo the knot, although we did have a knife with us. Apparently the ideal route was 20k. Pretty sure we did more then that.

Then onto the epic long mountain bike ride. Official route was 80k I think we got on the bikes around 5;30pm until around 12;30am. Time got real fuzzy. And it got real hard. We all worked hard to draft and stay in a pack. I had invested in a good light for my handlebars. Combined with my helmet light, I could see quite well. Took a couple falls. And it was cold and wet. Eventually I started praying my bike would break and I would have to quit and the  guys would have to go on without me... and it did!!!! My brakes completely failed and I stop going down a steep embankment with my vagina on the cross bar.  BUT remember that guy who fixes bikes.... and I had to keep going. Next investment will be a new saddle attached to a new bike. The entire ride all the guys could talk about it how I was such a trooper for dragging my very heavy  bike around . Finished in the dark of night, last section on a lined highway, which really goes against self preservation as I am pretty sure there are just as many drunk drivers in Parry Sound as there is in Grey Bruce.

We rolled into the last transition area and I was cold. Really cold. There is a rule with triathlon Ontario about nakedness in the transition area.. no such rule exists in Adventure Racing. Completely naked changing all layers.Actually had tights and gor-tex pants and wool socks on the bottom. Long sleeve wool, fleece sweater, fleece jacket, and gore tex jacket plus a buff on my head. Also neoprene paddling gloves. The critical errors i did make was not bringing my warmest tights for the paddle, not having a wool hat, and this was the big one.. I did not have dry shoes to put on, I put wet running shoes back on. By the end of the night I added another two long sleeves and a plastic bag to my head.

Against all human nature we headed out onto the water in the dark. For awhile I tried to think of a polite way to say I was done and we needed to find shore now. But that was the issue where was shore? No idea. The fog was so thick I had no idea what I would do if we flipped as I had no idea which way to swim. Thankfully, I realized that if I shut off my headlamp the light of the moon was better. Well it was for awhile  until the clouds covered the moon. Essentially we spent alot of time scanning the shore looking for portages . It was dead reckoning , or as I like to think straight compass work. My biggest disadvantage is my lack of padding skills/ endurance. It was calm water but my stroke is not efficient. Will have to work on that. My job on the paddle was to carry two paddles and and two packs over the portages, and make some attempt to paddle. We made it to our first check point and I had to take some time to warm up, I could not stop chattering. For the rest of the night I had to stay in motion to stay warm. I am having some trouble recalling the hours between 4 and 6am. I do recall joking about how how much fun it would be to go to shore for non sexual spooning  to wait out the night/ fog. We did not  make a check point in time thus missed out on a 7k trek. Officially, the 'course' is 34k in paddling but who know how much we did weaving in and out of bays looking for the way.

All and all i never hit any major lows of fatigue and bonking.  There were sections I could have ate more but I could not get at my food efficiently enough without crashing on the bike or wasting time digging in my pack. I am at a serious advantage as I regularly stay awake in excess of 24hours due to night shift.

Yes I would do this again, but maybe do some shorter races first to work on my organization and I do want to learn how to orienteer. I think the idea of a complete female team sounds fun but i never ever ever want to be the one carrying the canoe.

  

Boston Marathon 2017

 Well I guess a rainy day, and several months later isn't a bad time to write a race report. I am sure I will want this memory recorded eventually.

First off, it was a fantastic trip to Boston with Luke. We had a fabulous time being together exploring the city and I enjoyed being part of a un-matchable running experience. I felt lucky and privileged to be able to experience the race weekend the entire time we were there.

 We started off by going to the expo on Friday afternoon. Going early to Boston was worth this alone, no  wait line to get in and although it was busy it was nothing what I am told Saturday and Sunday are like. Obviously, first stop was to get the jacket. Also picked up a head band by impulse and  the lego lady  at the additis booth. Would have bought more but nothing really jumped out at me. I have also always really wanted a pair of Brooks Boston shoes cause I think their designs are always the coolest. By the end of the weekend I had also picked up Boston specific t-shift and magnet for my car. Super fun just soaking up the atmosphere and seeing what was new and cool in running stuff.

 A really cool thing about Boston marathon weekend is everybody is talking to everybody. It is nothing to jump into a conversation on the subway about training, or qualifying races. Wearing the jacket is an open invitation for people to congratulate , discuss and strategize for the day. For example, i spent time on the subway explaining to a runner from Florida what training in Canada was like in the winter. However my best conversation was with a group of people from Ohio. A gentleman named Joey of whom had run 20 previous Bostons took myself and fellow Saugeen runner Cathy under his wing. He was staying at our hotel and basically got us to the start line. We ended up tagging along with this Ohio group, we got to the buses early and then followed them right to the top secret indoor get ready place. A place where we could roll out and stretch and snack and have a rest on the floor and when we had to do our business, there were no line up port a potties. It was magical and I will treasure that memory for a long while.

OK, back up for a second. For the Boston Marathon I trained hard, hardest I have done. I was following a plan, doing core work and was fit. Actually, I think I was in the best shape of my life. To help get through the long winter workouts, and endless intervals, I picked up a rock and put it in my pocket on runs and to keep track of my intervals when they were endless. So at the start line, or actually a little off to the side of the Boston Marathon I left a little bit of Grey Bruce Counties. And then I cried.

Standing on the start line it was hot, I was sweating in my tank top and shorts. I had drank enough prior to the race but I knew it would be warm. I actually wasn't worried cause it was Boston and I was going to give it everything. Then I started, in every single piece of advice you hear about Boston is  the main thing you hear is not to trash your legs in the first 10k cause it is down hill, but I didn't care, I am a fantastic downhill runner, no worries. Then I started, and actually I was being conservative, then I realized I wasn;t and I was working a little to hard but I actually was going slower then I should and then realized that perhaps today was not going to be my day.

The stomach cramps started and then the race became all about running between porta- potties. The running I was doing was not bad, but it was broken up by pit stops. At one point, I thought I was going to have to ask a house owner for their toilet so I didn't poop my pants. It was a close call but I made it to the next one.

Luke had said he was going to make it to a specific spot and I counted down the miles until I saw him, I really wanted to quit cause I felt like I was going to die, I was crying and miserable. If it was not Boston I would have been quite happy to accept my first DNF. I went out of my way to avoid being near the medical aid tents cause I was sure I looked so bad they would pull me from the course.It was hard, hardest thing I have ever done, and I have given birth to two children in my bedroom.

I finished slow, but it could have been slower, the streets of Boston are just crazy with spectators. I was wearing Canada headband and my name was on my shirt in hello kitty duct tape sooo all race long I heard "Go Canada", and "Good job Annie". Of note was I put Ann on my shirt.  So because I was slow and I was not racing I did take the time to high five all the kids, kiss some girls a Weslsely, and some frat boys along the way. A little girl got my headband when I was at a low point. To be honest it was hard to run that last mile, there was just nothing in the tank and it wasn't the race I wanted. A huge disappointment. I had gone into the race wanting to re qualify but that wasn't going to happen, I actually was i injured so I knew another spring marathon was out of the question and when will I make the sacrifice to train hard to qualify again?? Especially since I do not like road running and the pavement beats me up so badly.  On to new and different things. Like Kayaking.

Around the BAY 2017 ed.

2017- 2:27:52
2016- 2:28:57-Raced

2015- 2:48:04- Gastro

2014-2:34:40- Whatever

2013-2:38:42- Ran with a friend and sang songs.

2012- 2:54:51- Paced a friend to sub three.
2011- 2:25:20- Raced- Was on steriods r/t root canals.
2010- 2:37:04- Tried to race- crashed.
2009- 2:31:27- First timers luck.

Ninth year running  Around the Bay, on paper looks like it was my second best time. However the year I ran 2:25 I also happen to be on prednisone due to some dental work I had done. Thus, I will never count that year as a true time.  Thus I would say 2017 was my best performance in steel down.

However it hurt.  I found I had to work for every step; it was a complete mental game. I was fatigued, and just had no desire to push. I had mildly tapered, and really didn’t want to come home with another bronze metal so knew I had to put some work into it.

Right from the get go I found it tough. I had actually forgotten my Garmin but thankfully my brother from another mother lent me his as he was just participating and his time didn’t mean anything to him. But it wasn’t mine and I did spend effort fussing. Thankfully I did have my pace to keep me accountable and for some reason it gave me mile, not kilometers splits. As long as I stayed below 8 I thought that would be good.

The wind was a definite distraction; I was constantly trying to find groups to run behind to block the wind.  Wore long sleeves, tights, and wind west which I found to be too hot. Was distracted by my sweating which I hate. Was running intermittently around a buddy but around 22 I told him he better go as he is a faster runner then me and I could tell I was getting pretty unhappy. At that point I ate everything I had with me, and walked ten steps on an uphill. Tracy from runners den came along and we ran together for a bit but then we hit the Valley hill in road and I told her to go on as I am slow on hills. I think I walked for 10 steps somewhere on the hill. Once I got to the 26kish  mark I realized at 25min to make 2:30 and told another girl we needed to move to make silver then just worked. I sang when I had to and crossed the line. It was not easy and I was very glad to be done. I used on phone in my waist belt to record my run on strava and for some reason it says I went 31.4k.

Next year will be 10 years straight so I guess I have to make another annual pilgrimage to Hamilton, but that will be the last, I swear.

Looking forward to April 17, I am doubtful I will be able to maintain that pace for an additional 12k to make my A+ goal of sub 3:30Guess we will see what the day brings. I think I have had a good lead up except for my long runs. I missed one, and they could have been a tad longer. We will see, in any event it will BOSTON, so all good.

What I do not Understand

Trump...

Here's the thing, who voted for him?

I am fairly active on the interwebs, I read a variety of news media sources daily and NOBODY IS PRO-TRUMP.

Have I cornered myself into a place were only liberals interact? I have gone so far as to google pro trump media just because I am always interested in  hearing of the other side, but I just can not find it.

I know of one person who has verbalized a pro Trump stance but even he has gone silent.

I understand a bit of the American system and know he did not get the popular vote, but still he got some votes. Where are these people? Not that I want to hear from them, just who supports him?