Paddling activity2:58:59 8.24 mi (21:43 / mi) +1m21:43 / mi ahr:76 max:126
Lovely time with Rick and Mr. Wonderful paddling the Huron out of Proud Lake. We headed upstream first to the portage, bumped around and noticed the missing boat! Bushwhacked to it...and then as I got closer it started to float away so in I went. At the end of the paddle the puddles in my boot started to be a bit of an issue. :)
Orienteering14:29:11 31.92 mi (27:14 / mi) +1426m23:55 / mi ahr:117 max:167
POCAR update. It was held at Hoosier National Forest, first 24 hour attempt. Was thrilled to have Britt (britty327) and Dusty from Rev3 to invite Maria and I, we added Brenda Carlson as well. Unfortunately, Maria could not go because a work test got rescheduled because of the ton of snow we got in Michigan. We were sad about that!
The race was a lot of fun, and learned a lot. And if Britt and Dusty get a chance to read this, I hope they comment with what I forgot or just plain got wrong!!!!
The race is operated by a group of college students (Purdue Outdoor Club) and is revealed in stages. I arrived with my pack ready for 12, not really knowing how TA or access to supplies would work. The day began with registration at 7:30, where we were asked if we wanted a 10a or 10:30 start time. We requested 10a, got our maps and were instructed to highlight certain roads and mark the out of bounds. We organized our vehicles for a TA. Then at 9ish, learned we were not coming to the car for TA and the team was allowed one bag. Surprise! Scrambled our stuff into one bag and called it good. Our cabin was next to WABAR...and don't tell them, but in addition to Dusty and Britt's mojo, I secretly tried to telepathically get some of WABARs too.
The weather forecast was perfect. 50 and sunny! At 10 we opened our envelopes for the plotting. And, I had plot block! COULD NOT REMEMBER! After a couple, got the swing of it. Britt called out, Dusty and Brenda plotted, and Britt and I checked and highlighted. We were off! Brenda and Britt started with the maps, and Dusty and Britt led the nav and Brenda and I supported. Decided our order would be Y3, W7, M9, Q5, W4, O4, A3, Fire Water (mandatory check in), then RL, S5, Z0, L7 then Headquarters. (At least I think I have the CP names right!)
Out to the first CP was a fast pace and spent a little time settling into the map and with each other. I had chosen my Cascadias to wear thinking I needed all I could get to keep up with my teammates, but 10 minutes in wished I had my O shoes. The ground in areas with southern sun was super slime, and other areas frozen. On to the next CP... and Brenda took a tumble and nailed the right side of her right knee HARD. After a minute or two, she was up and we had a slow pace to warm it up. Continues on with great nav from Britt, Dusty and Brenda. I took a tumble after another couple of hours--turned ankle. We made it to FW, and had a very speedy water refill. Then on to the next 4, which had some long legs inbetween.
Got to HQ, and while Britt, Dusty and Brenda plotted and checked, I wrapped my ankle, filled everyone's water and pulled food from the bag to replenish. We were, to the best of the organizer's knowledge, in 4th. We assumed WABAR was in 1st, and the Russians were inbetween. They staggered teams going on to stage 2 and 3. For example, we went to 3 first. When it was only 6 points, we thought something was up, so added a little extra food. We set off, and at this point I backed the nav. We went to the Firewater after just a couple of points because we wanted to know what was up. At FW, there was a spider web challenge about 40-50ft long that was about 3-5ft off the ground. A teammate had to go through the web. So, we hoisted the smallest teammate (hint: NOT ME!!) into the web and used flat backs for her to crawl over. Then we got the extra 8 points. Saw the Russians come back through FW, and never figured out why they came back. We headed out for the big loop, and Brenda was still powering through. She is PURE GRIT. Our plan was W3, M8, S4, X4, R1, G1, S3, R8, D4, X8, T9, and X9.
We started to lose light and the headlamps came on around 6p. (BTW for those privy to the great ZebraLight discussion in Michigan, it worked GREAT. 6 hours on Medium with occasional high beam and shout out to Mr. Dubs and Tone for battery supply-only needed a second for a couple hours.) Wound up going back to FW when we realized how long the leg would be in that we slowed in the dark. Discovered the first couple misplaced CPs. The clue was correct, but the plot coordinates were wrong. We heard from WABAR on the other stage there was a problem in the cemetery.
Made our way back to the last 2 CPs near HQ, and I have to add a sidebar that we had some really fun conversations. (How did you get into AR? Who's the best looking guy to ever race on Tecnu? What was the craziest CP?) But what is said on the course, stays on the course.
Around this point my garmin died, no surprise. Figured it had about 14 hours-ish in it. Dusty tracked too, and will update when her data comes along.
Brenda was really hurting no matter what, and we decided that we needed to talk at HQ. I took her pack, then Britt had it. We got to HQ and found out we were still in 4th. What I learned most here, is that in our team, Brenda really needed to be the one to make the decision. And, knowing her, I can only imagine how much she struggled. After about 20 minutes of looking at the map, knowing we were in 4th by a length, talking to WABAR about stage 2 and considering her ski race season, we decided to pull. It's hard when it's an all or nothing race, but nonetheless, I was super proud of what we had accomplished. At the end, I felt great physically. And since, I have felt a little stiff.
Hands down, I would go anywhere, anytime, in any condition with these folks. Super stars, indeed.
Shout out to WABAR for their very nice congratulatory note. Love those guys.
Suggestions for me in the future: 1. Thin red and black sharpies for O kit 2. No matter the length of a Rogaine, O shoes are best. 3. Monkey Butt Paste is a miracle worker on chafing. And good for preemptive too. 4. Green tea extract was great for caffeine. 5. Practice plotting just before a race. But I don't need rulers anymore. 6. Check out sustain instead of ecaps. 7. Night nav should dial to the next bigger feature to attack from in some cases. 8. Burned about 4500 cal, so this is a good measure. 9. Don't use compression socks, use merino or swiftwick. I think this contributed to the slip slide issue in my shoe.