Two weeks ago I competed in my first solo race (aside from some early highschool swimming). Some of you know it well; the Pole Pedal Paddle in Bend. Its a multi sport race that starts at the top of Mt Bachelor and finishes in downtown Bend. I knew a few other people racing it in various teams, but in my solo male category my only real (friendly) competitor was Kalin. I think there were about 30-40 others in that division, with a total of over 3000 competitors total in the race! We both (mostly) trained seperately for the race around Corvallis, but did do a few training paddles together on the river before hand. During these padddles I realized that Kalin was a stronger paddler than I, and thus, I would have to work on getting stronger there.
The race legs are as follows:
downhill slalom ski/snowboard
8k skate ski/xc ski
22 mile bike
5 mile run
~1 mile river paddle out and back
1/2 mile sprint finish
Kalin was out of the gate first, as I slowly put my snowboard on, but I caught him mid way through the skate ski (got too excited and wrecked trying to pass him the first time) and was able to slowly pass the competition on the bike into town. I think we both had similar times on the bike leg, but I know I lost several precious moments in the clusterfuck of spectators and support crew at the bike-run transition. The run was an out and back, and once I rounded the half way point, I realized Kalin had made up a ton of time on me during the run. We both came into the run-paddle transition a couple seconds apart, and in a terribly uncompetitive moment helped carry both boats to the water together. That is when I knew he would win. As stated, I was aware he was a stronger paddler, and as we worked our way up nad down the river, I watched him ever so slowly inch away from me. I ended up finishing 29 seconds behind him, with a total time of 2:30:14; 10th place in the age group I think. Regardless of the competition, I was veeeery pleased with my time. I was really hoping just to get under 2:45, but had no clue really where I would be. Training pays off; who knew! Now I am going to focus on mountain biking and climbing for the rest of the summer!
As far as trips for the summer go, I have some really good adventures planned out. Just got tickets to Kona, Hawaii for a week, and also got reservations on the West Coast Trail in Pacific Rim National Park, BC! Soooo excited for that one. It is a very adventurous coastal trail that should take about a week to complete. Kona should be nice too; it has been about 15 years since I've been to the Robart's family house and I am really excited to revisit it and the rest of the area. The bossman grumbled a bit about the amount of vacation I am taking during summer, but ya know, thats the best time for vacation, and its just what I need. :) I am also really excited that my dad has taken up mountain biking at the ripe old age of 62, and will be coming up this summer to tour the trails around Oregon for a few days with me!
Yesterday some friends and I summited Mt Shasta by way of Casaval Ridge. We had attempted it 2 years ago but had to do an easier variation on the route because we weren't prepared for the steepness it offered, but this attempt we came prepared and had a really pleasant trip. I was able to actually get some sleep the night before at our high camp, and was also able to get some turns on my splitboard as we descended an easier face (though best and largest portion of the descent was too icy for me to board down. It was depressing to have to slowly walk down, board unused, the face that I had been salivating over for several years. That aside, the climb was really fun. There was an ominous helicopter circling overhead periodically through the day though; there were several rescues on the mountain that day. Very sobering. Pictures soon!
Oh, wow, I had to edit this too, because I just found out that after posting the first time, I am going to be a wedding officiant for some close friends soon! Can't tell who yet (wouldnt want to spoil the surprise) but if you are a freind from Corvallis in the first half of the decade, you probably know them... :)
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