Training Log Archive: Bash

I took AdventureDog out for what was going to be a Bash 'n' Crash interval session in honour of Crash's victory at 24 Hrs of Summer Solstice. However, even though it was breezy and 18C, he was panting at such a high rate after the 1st interval that I switched to an easy run around Palgrave West. Maybe it was the high humidity? We went to Wheelies' Pond so he could chase a couple of sticks and get thoroughly soaked, which made the last few kms a lot more comfortable in his fur coat. In spite of all the distractions, my run felt pretty good.

Congrats to everyone who rode in the Chico Racing 24 Hrs of Summer Solstice this weekend. Great to see so many AR friends in our neck of the woods! I went back today to see 'Bent finish his final lap. The weather was perfect for the first 23 hours but it turned to crap while he was on the trails with heavy rain, mud and lightning. He had a good final lap even though he spent part of it hunkering down in the storm.



Local favourite Sarah "Crash" Caylor clipped a tree with her handlebar in the dark. She'd been aiming for 20 laps for the 20th anniversary of the event but had to settle for 15 laps, a shoulder sling and the Female Solo trophy because she was so far ahead that no one could catch her.

A year ago, I was running the 120 km Lavaredo Ultra Trail in the Dolomites in northern Italy, one of the most beautiful races I've done. Today I'm watching it online and feeling envious but a lot wider awake and less grimy. If you run trails, this event (120K, 48K, 20K) is worth putting on your list.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153862...

I ran to Albion Hills to visit 'Bent and other friends at the Chico Racing 24 Hrs of Summer Solstice mountain bike relay. I watched the start then went to 'Bent's campsite to cheer on a few friends doing the first lap - Crash, Storm and FB.





There are 2400 riders in this 20th anniversary edition of the event. The organizers did not win the weather lottery; some people are saying we got a 100-year storm on Thursday. The Humber River is high and some campsites had to be moved because of mud and standing water. Riders say the course is in fairly good shape though, and most of the campsites are fine too.

I returned via a slightly longer route through Wheelie and KBash woods, which let me run on more trail.

Browner came over a little while later with Scout and Contour, who ran around with BazingaDog and AdventureDog until they all looked ready for a nap. Then Browner and I drove over to Albion Hills for an evening of visiting friends, cheering for racers and a BBQ dinner. (Thanks for the beer, Browner!) Nice to chat with Simpy, Storm, Bugsinteeth, Osteo, Double_Downon11, FB, Frankenjack, Timato, Greg Diamond and Rich Miller. 'Bent's next lap is around 1 a.m. but I'm not going to stay awake to find out how it goes. Zzzzz!

Hard to sleep with rain pouring down all night - 50 mm in 12 hrs, if the rumour is true. I feel so sorry for the organizers of the 24 Hrs of Summer Solstice MTB relay! They'll make it work somehow; they always do. But I'll bet they'll need to modify the course to remove some of the more sensitive trails. Anyone camping should think about ways to stay off the wet ground - chairs, cots, etc. Some sites will drain more quickly than others.

An update from Albion Hills within the past hour. Wow!

It would have been fun to run through the puddles after the latest torrential rain storm but it's a big weekend in the ultrarunning world so I caught up on my Youtube watch list instead.

Pro tip: Never take Heed electrolyte drink from an aid station then leave your hydration bladder in a duffel bag for 1.5 weeks. Even ozonated water from the dental office couldn't get the smell out! Bleagghh.

According to the forecast, this was the last sunny day until the 24 Hours of Summer Solstice mountain bike relay this weekend. Chico (Adam Ruppel) announced this morning that the race course will be closed to pre-riding tomorrow and maybe Friday too. He recommended that people come out today.

I'm not racing this weekend; it's my turn to feed and hug the dogs while 'Bent races. But it's always fun to head to Albion Hills and ride the marked Solstice course since it links trails and trail segments in unusual ways and sends us up some one-way trails backwards, which is normally verboten.

I rode over to Albion Hills and ran into Chico for a chat before heading out onto the course for an easy ride. It's a fun route. By AR standards, the trails are in great shape but compared to my ride there last week, there's a fair bit of mud with a few serious puddles. The northwest section was dry. The wettest part was the quadrant of forest closest to the chalet.

I rode the Start lap (which only one rider per team will do) and missed the markings a couple of times but I'd guess the lap was just under 18 km. Without the Start lap, it will be a little more than 17 km. With all the recent rain, I'd expect a healthy mosquito population, especially around dawn and dusk.

Good luck to everyone who is racing! I'll be over to visit.

Rodney Yee Yoga for Flexibility

Boot Camp - Hard work but I don't think this one will hurt as much as last week. We had surprise cupcakes, champagne and gifts afterward to celebrate Caron's big birthday this week.

Kelly Anne Wald had planned a 4-day block of trail running at least 20 km per day. She invited me to join her today in Hockley Valley for her 4th and final day. Naturally, she was fatigued but she stuck it out for an easy paced, modified Hockley Loop. The south side of the valley was hit harder by the storms this weekend, making the trails wet and lush, and the mosquitoes especially nasty. But it was a beautiful day and we discovered we have a lot in common. :)