Training Log Archive: Work4justice

Event: Wilderness Traverse 2018
 

Race report coming soon. Great teammates, great time, great course, felt very strong, making the time cutoffs we had for our team and that paddle/portage section was difficult.

RACE REPORT:

Wilderness Traverse 2018

“WT: Take 3”

Immediately after Untamed New England, I really wondered about another overnight race this year. I felt a bit low from a couple of things related to the race, and wondered about jumping back in even for an overnight race. But, what really won out was the part of me that identifies with Taylor Swift – “Shake it off!”

Frankly, I have been quite inspired by Mr. Wonderful’s progress on wake up call, and set out for a BNM 2.0 for short and long term impact. And, around that same time frame, we talked about WT, realized Mark Voit was up for WT over USARA, picked up Greg VanTol on other suggestions and signed up.

As an aside, BNM 2.0 has three goals: 1) Improve agility/core strength, 2) Improve technical riding, and 3) Lose weight. On #3, I went into WT 8 lbs down from UNE with food logging/macros/exercise, but still looking to go down another 15 or so. On 1 and 2, I think I have made progress based on how I felt at the race. Over the winter, I think I will need to swap #3 at times for another goal – perhaps control count, weight lifting to failure, crafting a mock canoe and practice portaging in my suburban neighborhood, run while carrying my bike, you know normal middle aged US woman stuff…..

Back to the race. We did an assessment ahead of time, which is on Mr. Wonderful’s log, and felt like full course would always be the focus. Once we got the maps, there were a few wrinkles. In the trek, there were several options for a swim, which the guys weren’t excited about and I had hoped we would, but was outvoted on that. The bike would be the bike. And for the paddle/portage section I realize now how much we underestimated how tough the portaging would be. We were also a bit suspicious of the last trek. Mark and Mr. W. did a great job setting out our plan. We talked a bit about short course, but said, if we are making cutoffs, we are going for it. What we didn’t know at the time, and learned later, that the course ran 3 hours slower than the estimates.

Trek through CP 4/TA1:

This leg was 4 CPs that had quite a bit of route choice. For us, it went quite smoothly, and went around all the swims, found a couple of dry marshes to cross. We came in on exactly the time estimate we had, which I think caused us to be a bit nervous. I moved better in the woods than I had been, and was delighted for that. The terrain was quite nice and lakes were quite pretty. I was feeling strong and our team was working together well. Greg was great about keeping an eye on terrain, I was pace counting (and nailing it which is a relief) and Mark and Jens were doing great with the navigating. I am left wondering if we would have had a shorter time if we had swam, but haven’t done any comparisons yet to determine that. What I love about WT is there are no hidden CPs! They are almost always staffed. The transition to bike was not exactly what we wanted it to be, and I think because it started to look ominous and rain, a couple of us put on a jacket and slowed us a bit.

Bike through CP6 TA2:
Typical WT biking! Just crazy muddy technical ATV trails and Hydrocut, maybe 50k of that and about 10k of pavement/gravel. Mark went over his bars in the first kilometer! In the first few k, I needed to follow lines to get in the groove, but within a bit after that, I found that I was able to be part of the rotation to be out front and call lines and lead the way. Holy smokes that felt amazing. Of course, plenty of hike a bike with the mud and loose terrain. At CP5 we had a ferry take us to the next road, which was fun. Lost about 15 min there, but it was a bit of a crapshoot anyway. When darkness fell, we slowed a bit, and I had a couple of good falls into the puddles. Fortunately Mr. W led at that point, especially since our rolled distance was shorter than actual. Mark lost his bar light with the rough terrain, and after my experience at UNE, I had a spare!!!! In retrospect, I have to say that I loved the biking. Mr. W commented that I was riding 10x better than last year just as I was wondering if the biking was easier than last year. And, Mark was solid on the navigation again! Not sure about how to save time on that leg.

Paddle/Portage from CP 6 to CP11:
With getting in at 9:30, we were 1:15 past our estimate. OUCH. And, our TA was slow. Double OUCH. The volunteer asked “Short or Full” and I think Jens and I said clearly at the same time “Full.” No hesitation. When we got started, I was fired up to paddle hard, and Greg mentioned I should back off. :) Finding the portage sites was a bit tricky at night but Mark was great. Greg, Mark and Jens rotated the portaging. And I felt a bit useless when it came to my ability to carry a boat vs. their ability, so was on getting the paddles and making sure they had the best footing and path to get to the put in. I think our biggest mistake with the THIRTEEN portages was not having a plan. We took too much stuff, and needed to have a time goal for transitioning and to think through how it would all happen. We had teams pass us easily on that part.

When we got to the last rapids check point, it was clear that we weren’t going to make the cut off. And, in my fuzzy thinking (maybe a blessing?) had totally forgotten it meant a DQ. We arrived at 8:50, almost 2 hours past the cutoff. In retrospect, I realize we had not talked about this gamble with the team. However, after the bike I don’t see how we would have made any other decision. It was a big gamble, and I do wish we could have continued on, I think we had a great plan to finish. But that’s clearly for another day.

So in short….

Race Highlights:
• The beautiful terrain and challenging course.
• Race staff and volunteers were absolutely wonderful.
• Loved our team dynamics. Honest, supportive, focused on a positive attitude. In different moments I heard from each of them that only being positive with one another would move the team forward better. I needed this.
• I felt strong throughout, and I think it was a combination of being as ready as possible as well as having great teammates. Except for the portaging, I felt like I brought value to the team with the reminders, team health, pace counting, some of the bike lead and jumping in where I saw a need I could fill.
• A combo of espresso double shot and boost (3 and 3) in a bladder that is easily cleaned. I hardly needed to eat on the paddle and stayed quite awake. I actually ate well during this race.
• With the cold temps and water everywhere, silk and merino were my best friends.

Other notes:
• I need to work on my TA hustle. I achieved my goal, and was 2nd at TAs, but need to aim higher.
• Greg and I got ahead in the boat and sometimes bike too frequently. We need to keep tabs better. There is no value in getting ahead.
• Figure out a portaging system that is automatic.
• Still need to be a better biker and trekker—particularly in more technical terrain.

Going into WT I also had three goals: 1) To really lean in on the paddle and keep the pace going. 2) Shorten TA times, with the goal of being first or second ready. And 3) to ask for help before it’s offered. I feel like I achieved those goals—but for sure can improve.

Next year?

C • For this 8

12# pack

Ride with Mr. W...he was ripping. Had to stop to adjust my bike bag, I think the velcro is going bad on it, this is the 3rd time it has come unsecured, or it's the thud buster not allowing it to secure well.

Then I wiped out in one of the several sandy areas. It was like slo mo.

Can't wait for WT. And Python. And Dogman. And Fig. And GNC. And and and....

Just a cruise to the store for WT supplies. My legs/feet are sore from a fiasco last night...I forgot my shoes when I met Ross to do a little nav practice and quickly stopped at Kohls and picked up what seemed to be OK shoes that are just junk.

Bumping around the perm course on the old map with Ross sorting out working together. It was so green! And, I think some of the trails aren't right? Who knows. Good practice for Dogman, but maddening.

It was a comedy of errors getting there. I left early, because I heard he's an early guy, forgot compass, went back to get it. Got within a few miles of meeting and realized I forgot my shoes! Darted into Kohls and looked at treads of everything, tried on a pair and ran out. Was still only 10 min late!

Includes a little warmup and a little wrong turn. :D

Campus sprint O meet. Ooof. I got so confused. Buildings for parking lots and what’s crossable and whats not oy vey—but I think I got more the hang of it for the last ten controls. Very fun.

Modified TTC with Mr. W. Saw a squirrel hunter that creeped me out. After I said good bye went out for a smidge more. Perfect day.

Came home, prepped and canned salsa and made a peach cobbler. Let them clean the house...

C • I came home 1

Ez day

Murphy no run plus extra

Agility

Love my dirt roads.

15% incline. The conversion makes no sense.

C • way more or way less effort 2

Little bit of everything.

Rust busting on Steve’s Maybury map. Heavy pack.

I have come to the sad realization that I really shouldn’t bring my dog even for practicing O. I get even more distracted than I already am!

Started my watch about 1.5m too late. :D

First part hills and second part with Angel. Threw in some off camber.

C • Nice getting out early 1

Stupid hot.

WT paddle combos.

Just looked at Mr. Ws log. I need to paddle harder.

C • M and G are exceptional 1

Heavy pack...2 pair of shoes, water, bike gear, clothes, lights, lol. Still working on ankle agility. So friggin hot.

13ish lb pack...out to Brighton.

Had a yucky stomach bug since Friday that I think is resolved but being careful.

Off camber/woods run.

Hike with Michelle! We had planned a run, but she was swimming with her kids and jumped off some high something and hit her hip. We both chuckled about that!!! Good to see her.

Back home. Checked the progress on the badlands. They have reinforced the fencing more. So hot and humid and got home to the power being out. :/