Monday, June 7, 2010
Fat Otter RAID: more to WI than the Frozen Tundra
Along with the plethora of Wood Ticks, the Fat Otter RAID delivered Team Gore-Tex a satisfying win and a surprisingly fun adventure. I have to admit, before we arrived on site, my Wisconsin adventure-factor expectations were low. My wife having grown up in Green Bay, I had visited the flat, featureless Frozen Tundra over several holidays. During each visit, I was denied any real adventures, but not for lack of trying. My closest encounter with an epic adventure was when I tried to cross-country ski along the Fox River through a windchill of about 60-below; most locals were on the couch eating Brats and drinking Tom&Jerry's, with TV's poised and ready for the next Packers game.
Luckily, the Raid took place on the WESTERN side of Wisconsin, far away from that frigid escarpment of Green Bay that I had anticipated. The western WI landscape, having been carved up by glaciers, is a conglomeration of wild rivers, lakes and curious hills called "mounds". The race director, Rod, did a great job of linking a series of these mounds like sausages, strung together over 300+ miles with a mix of forested trails, country roads and waterways.
For me, the highlights of the race were reaching a checkpoint on top of a new mound, each one as unique as a bag of cheese curds: climbing the pinnacles of Castle Mound; rappelling off the cliffs of Wildcat Mound; riding epic single track surrounding Levis Mounds; navigating the bluffs and ravines of Bruce Mound.
Our team found a comfortable rhythm right from the start of the race, and we transitioned from stage-to-stage, from day-to-night with seamless efficiency. The map preparation and route execution by our new navigator, Brad, was flawless. The leadership of our fearless captain, Julie, always came at just the right time. Our engine, Peter, assumed the pointy-end of the tow line early and often.
And I did my part for the team by eating early and often, providing vivid descriptions of my hallucinations, and singing polka songs off-key (on purpose, of course, for effect).
Submitted by Mike Dawson
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Fat Otter RAID and racing against our biggest foe, EVER!
Tick, tick, tick, tick... I know what your thinking. Yes, covering 300+ miles of remote Wisconsin backcountry under your own power in 3 days is a race against time. The clock is often your biggest foe in an expedition length race, fighting time cut-offs during the latter part of a race is common.
But this is not about the clock, but about a small insect that shares its name with the sound the clock makes to let you know the seconds are passing...
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Ups and Downs of Wasatch Powder Keg 2010
"IT'S ALL ABOUT THE UP!" exclaims the tag line for the annual Wasatch Powder Keg ski mountaineering race. With 5000 feet of skinning and booting up and over elevations exceeding 10,000 feet, they have a valid point. Serious racers invest heavily in "unleaded, premium grade" equipment to lighten the load for the way up. Some racers take it a step further by drilling holes in boot cuffs, shaving plastic off the soles and replacing buckles with bungee straps.
I knew I would have a serious disadvantage on the ascents against the guys with the Anorexic kits. After all, my bulky 24 pound telemark set-up was no match for their wispy four pound kits. For those that measure weight in terms of 16oz water bottles, that's a difference of 20 water bottles. For those with basic Physics background, that's 100,000 foot-pounds more work, or a thousand extra 100-pound squats,Ｉwould have to produce to get through the climbs.
If the race ended at the top of the climb, it would be perfect for the lightweight freaks. Fact is, however, that half the race descends the same 5000 feet previously climbed. And much of the downhill sections comprised a mix of steep rocky chutes, wind slabs, frozen chicken heads and moguls resembling VWs in size, shape and texture.
It was astronomer Galileo that discovered on the Leaning Tower of Pisa that, balls accelerate in free fall at the same rate, regardless of their size and weight. Maybe so, but it was Mohawked Extreme Skier Glen Plake that discovered that there is no substitute for beefy equipment set-up for staying upright in steeps, bumps and crud!
Galileo can keep playing with his....objects! I'm going with Plake on this one! Because, for me, its all about the up...and the DOWN!!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Ellsworth Evolve: An Evolution in the 29" WheelRevolution
The inaugural ride on my new 29" Ellsworth Evolve a week ago was going magically. I had just finished making all the Jeckyl and Hyde switchbacks in my middle ring...on a 29" mt bike, no less -- unprecedented luck! It was like the scene in Caddy Shack where the priest was out golfing in the violent thunderstorm and couldn't miss. As I approached Ken's Crux at the top of Pinebrook, with the dark clouds gathering, I recalled that , at the end of the miraculous golf scene in Caddy Shack, the priest gets struck by lightning. I considered opting for the "Chicken-Out Jug Handle", not wanting to press my luck and get whacked by 50 thousand volts ... or worse yet, scuff-up the beautiful paint job when I crashed into the rock and scrub, as I had countless times previously. The Crux is abrupt step-up move through a gnarly, sinuous rock garden that has denied passage to me (and everyone else, except Ken Meyer, a freakishly-skilled trials rider) for the 11 years I have lived here. An image of Ken pops into my head like the Kung Fu Master urging Grasshopper ride delicately through the Dragon's jaws like passing over the rice paper without leaving a trace. Now, in my Zen-like state, resistance is futile. Before I realize it, I am on top of the Crux...still in the saddle of my trusty 29" steed...not buried upside down in brush, not charred by a bolt of lightning. A miracle has occurred !
As I had considered the purchase of a new bike, I was well-aware of the buzz about the advantages (and disadvantages) of mountain bikes with the larger 29" wheels, compared to the de-facto standard of 26 inchers. I characterize myself like the majority of off-road bike enthusiasts: an all-purpose rider who cannot afford to have a quiver of bikes for every occasion, and someone who is risk adverse when it comes to new, "non-traditional" technologies and trends.
Being an engineer accustomed to reducing every choice to a highly ANAL-ytical trade study, I had carefully weighed the claimed pros and cons...
- heavy, super-sized wheels and corresponding frame
- sluggish response due to added wheel inertia
- tippy, high center of gravity
- under-geared for steep climbs
- too tall to go fast
- not many manufacturers, so they're too expensive and you can't find components
... Hmmmm, I guess those are all cons.
...slightly deterred, I checked out what all the good bikers are riding. I found that a lot of them are "niner converts", and when I surveyed their reasons for switching to a 29" bike, I discovered that all of the claimed disadvantages turned out to be myths.
In fact, I couldn't find one rider that had ever tried a big-wheel bike and not liked it. So, I turned off my analytical brain and I took the leap of faith: I sold my year-old Ellsworth Epiphany and I bought its big brother model, the 29" Ellsworth Evolve.
Now that I have put several rides on my Evolve under various conditions, I am qualified to say that my 29" Evolve meets or exceeds the 26" Epiphany in every category. The Epiphany (my previous all-time favorite) is no slouch as an all-terrain mountain bike, but the 29" Evolve out-climbs on the steeps, out-descends on rocky single track, out-corners on tight, fast switchbacks and out-cruises on long, rolling fire roads.
Give the transformational Ellsworth Evolve a spin...I guarantee that you will join the 29" revolution.
Closing the Gap at G2G09
Spokane, Wa
Date: May 30, 2009
Event: 2 mile field run, 14 mile Mt. Bike, 9 mile Kayak, 20 mile Road Ride, 10K Run
For a race traditionally done by relay teams, they also happened to have an Ironman Solo division to appeal to some of us crazies.
Start: http://www.yakimaherald.com/galleries/2574/photos/1
With the sun already blazing, the starter's gun went off at 7:45am in warm 78 degree temperatures, guaranteeing that the day would be just as much a testament of hydration and heat tolerance as about stamina and endurance. The field of solo-iron athletes quickly spread out entering the 2 mile jeep road, allowing for a quick read on who the runners of the field would be to contest for the overall. One athlete, Darrell Sofield, chose to use their Mt.Bike cleats for this relatively short run in hopes of saving time in transition, but the clicking of the cleats on the rock road surface slowly disappeared into the background. Another athlete, Fred Mason, was clearly a triathlete by physique and racing attire and took the lead early on in the run. I was able to work through the field and get onto his shoulder for the majority of the run, he threw in a few surges in attempt to distance me of which I countered, putting 20 seconds into him prior to the Mt Bike transition.
Coming out of the Mt. Bike transition, I was debating whether to hold-up and let someone else more familiar with the course lead the race. Having previewed only the first 3 miles of the Mt Bike course the day before (2 flat tires due to goat head spurs) I wasn't very familiar with all the turns. In retrospect, I should have followed my instincts because soon after mile 5, I found myself off course and wondering where the rest of the field went. Going from 1st overall to re-entering the course 3-4min behind the leaders, I soon found myself discouraged and in 5th place. I told myself not to panic or to bury myself trying to catch back up to the leaders that were now well out of sight, but to be patient and pace my own race. I tried to stay on top of my fluids and electrolytes, but clearly the hilly terrain and heat were working against me already. After a hot and dusty 2000ft climb to the summit of the Mt Bike course, there was a steep boulder strewn fire road decent to the finish area for the completion of the first 2 stages. It was then that I found out that I was in 4th place overall and over 4 minutes down on the leaders. I knew had my work cut out for me for the later 2 road portions of the race, and made extra effort to hit the fluids and electrolytes during my 1 hour shuttle ride to start the road portion of the race.
The 20 mile road bike was staggered started according to the current placing and time gaps from the Mt Bike section of the race. As I watch the leading 3 athletes roll off the start line one- by-one I realized how long a duration 4 minutes really was. Once even a minute passed by the cyclist was already out of sight, so I knew I would need to motivate myself to continue to push myself even when there would be no other competition on the near horizon to focus on. Once I was under way and going at a good pace, I finally caught site of another competitor at 10 miles, quickly passing him as he was making effort to refuel and hydrate. It was definitely getting warm out as temperatures now were in the mid 80's and rising. Having only one bottle on my bike, I made sure I drank frequently and continued to put down even more electrolyte tablets. Approaching the steep roller-coaster hills at mile 15, I could finally see the 1st and 2nd place athletes on the horizon around 100yds apart from one another. Luckily, there was also an aid station handing out cups of water in the middle of the steep climb which I was able to get another few gulps of water heading over the top of the last climb for the day. I was able to pass 2nd place, Darrell Sofield, right near the summit of the climb a still had 1st place anither few hundred yards ahead. The only athlete left that I hadn't passed yet was triathlete, Fred Mason, who I knew would be the hardest to catch for the remainder of the race. Hitting 45mph down the long open steep descents to the bike finish, we were fortunate enough to have police escorts heading back into the city and blocking traffic at the many intersections along the way. I knew that I was at my limit as my feet and hamstrings started to cramp due to dehydration. I needed more fluids soon. Coming into transition, Frank was a bit surprised to see me on his heels as he made a super-fast triathlete-style transition to the run. I, on the other hand, had problems even dismounting my bike before my legs seized-up. I kept telling myself to be patient, and put down another bottle of water and several more electrolyte tabs slowly hobbling out of transition onto the run course.
On the Road Bike: http://www.yakimaherald.com/galleries/2574/photos/14
The 10K run course was a paved bike path along the Yakima River, essentially 5K out and back. Once I got on a clear straight away, I could barely make out Fred in 1st place a quarter mile ahead. I told myself to go my own pace, but was still fighting off cramping hamstrings each time I would try to pick the pace up. Knowing from past experience how quickly things can unravel when you are dehydrated, I took extra time at the aid stations to get a couple cups of water down as well as an additional one over my head. It was now into the low 90's on the black asphalt and I found myself going the extra distance just to run on the side of the path that had the most shade. I finally started to feel better at mile 2, and started to pick-up the pace as I saw Fred coming closer on the horizon. As I approached the turn around, Fred Mason was again surprised to see me closing as I believe he had written me off when he saw me cramping-up in transition. Fred immediate response to seeing me at the turn-around was to surge and put distance on me as I stopped and took on more water at the turn-around aid station. I told myself to let him go and focus on getting more water and the last 3 electrolyte tablets down for the final 3 mile push. I eventually caught Fred at mile 4 and it was quite apparent that he was trying to survive the heat just as I had been all day. I slowly overtook him and distanced him by 3 minutes over the final couple miles mostly due to Fred struggles with cramping more so than my pace.
Crossing the finishing line I was happy to have my patience, persistance, and experience see me through the day. The only thing I could think about crossing the line was to find some shade under a nearby carnival tent.
Ironman Male Open: 1, Peter Courogen (Portland) 3:48:56; 2, Fred Mason (Pasco) 3:51:54; 3, Darrell Sofield (Bellingham) 3:56:18;
North Face Endurance Challenge
BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON – June 6th, 2009
Tuesday June 2nd my teammate Peter sends me an e-mail with the following link http://www2.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge and the comment – “are you in or not?”
Hmmm- let me see it’s Tuesday and you are asking if I want to run a 50K trail running race on Saturday up in Bellingham, WA.
So I followed the link and found the course was rated as follows…
Technical Terrain:
Overall Difficulty:
Scenery:
Ok well at least there were only 4 out of 5 stars for the elevation change!
It sounded like a good challenge and a course full of suffering and maybe a nice view or two thrown in so I decided I was up for it.
June 6th, 2009
Race morning was cloudy and in the low 50’s and our race start time was 7am.
There was a good field of runners (110 or so) and Peter made the comment you will have some competition today.
Hey wasn’t this supposed to be a training race – why are we talking about competition?!
And we were off…the first few miles we maintained a good pace where we could easily carry on a conversation.
Around mile 4 I noticed a blue flag off to our right (blue flagging was the route we were supposed to follow) but there were runners ahead of us still running down the fire road.
I guess all the adventure racing came in handy as this was our turn but about 6 people had missed it – we yelled at them to get them back on track and off we went.
The morning was extremely humid so keeping on top of our salt intake was key and we did a good job of doing so.
On a 2 mile out and back (around the 6/7 mile mark) Peter started calling out some of the people we would pass later in the race – sure enough he was right.
I had been sitting in 4th place for the early part of the race but after mile 7 found myself in 2nd place – Peter assured me (even this early on) this is where I would stay.
After the aid station at approximately mile 18 the course got a bit harder with a long single track climb.
We were slow and steady but passed multiple people and had a guy from Salt Lake City join us up this push.
At around mile 20 Peter decided to take off as we were entering a long single track descent which he can do much quicker than me.
Brian (SLC man) and Peter took off and I assumed at this point I would not see them again…
Right before the 23ish mile aid station a tiny, compact man went flying by me on the trail.
Later I would find out this man was the 50 mile champion and he ended up beating the rest of the field by over an hour – amazing!
Anyway after leaving this aid station I headed onto another single track trail and within 5 minutes was lying flat on my face.
The trail had become very technical and my foot caught a root and wham! I slide into home plate safe!
I brushed myself off – looked at my bloody knees and hands and told myself to get going.
Within a ½ mile I was staring up at an incredible hard ascent.
One that went up 800 feet in 0.8 miles and was a rooty, rocky, scramble…
This climb was brutal and to have it come around the 25 mile marker made it even harder – the race director had to have a little evil side to place this climb where it was.
I caught back up to SLC Brian near the top of the ascent and we then spent the last few miles together to the finish.
Luckily most of the rest of the course was downhill single track and fire roads so the going was a bit easier.
After the last aid station there was 2.8 miles to go and I felt strong and knew it would be a nice run into the finish.
One of the volunteers told me as I left the aid station that it was all downhill from here.
Yeah – I’ve heard that one before.
I never believe when some says anything like – A. you are almost there or B. it’s all downhill from here.
I prepared myself for another uphill.
Sure enough after about a mile of downhill the fire road ticked back up for another ½ mile or so.
The last mile consisted of some tight twisty single track back down toward Lutherwood camp.
Finally – I could hear the loud speaker of the announcer and knew I was coming into the finishing stretch.
No matter how many times I’ve crossed a finish line during a race – I never tire of that euphoric feeling from reaching it…
The North Face Endurance Challenge presented by Gore-tex (our sponsor!) was a great event that allowed runners of all abilities to compete.
They had options of 10K, ½ marathon, 50K, and 50 miler.
Great goodies bags and a really nice festival like atmosphere for the finish.
I was happy that I had decided on June 2nd that I was indeed “in” for this race...
Stats:
Peter finished in 4th place men’s/1st in his age group in 5:13.
Right before he left me on the descent at mile 20 he waited on me for about 1 minute (to catch up to him) to give me salt tablets.
1 extra minute would have nabbed him 3rd place.
Julie finished in 2nd place women’s/ 9th overall in 5:30.
Julie Leasure
June 7, 2009
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Hearts with Soul
A couple of weeks ago, I did a 12 Hour team relay mountain bike race in Arizona with a friend of mine, Scott Richards. It was a special race, not only because we won our division with a great team effort, but also because of the significance of what Scott had overcome just to make it to the starting line. It truly inspired my teammates and I to hammer on the bikes beyond our normal limits.You see, exactly one year ago, Scott was lying in an operating room, chest cracked open, in full cardiac arrest. His heart was intentionally stopped for 28 minutes while surgeons replaced a genetically defective aorta. He lived though the life-threatening operation and then decided to use his second lease on life to, not just return to good health, but to train to become an endurance athlete. As Scott came in from his first lap, he was spent from an effort that had shed a full 23 minutes off his previous best time for the loop. As I thought about how remarkable it was what he had just achieved, my thoughts turned towards a couple other late friends that had ruled their hearts with soul.
It was twelve years ago that the huge heart of my huge friend, Jimmy, stopped beating. After forty years of fighting an up and down battle against obesity, his heart simply couldn't take it any longer. At twice the weight of a average man, he was too heavy to be a technical mountaineer, to be a ski racer, or to survive hot desert sands. But he did scale the likes of Mount Rainier, he did win NASTAR national medals and he did serve along side soldiers in the Gulf War. Jimmy showed the rest of us what you can do if you have the soul to rule your heart.
Two years ago, my friend Marc, a self-described ultra-endurance addict, dropped to the pavement and never got back up. He was just a few feet from completing the Tucson Marathon in what would have been a personal record. Marc was also forty, and he also wore out his heart. But not before he endured grueling events that most mortals would find simply impossible: The Hard Rock 100 Mile mountain run, a "triple"Ironman Triathlon, multi-day runs on an oval track. The part they didn't know is that he had survived a car wreck years earlier that had left him with a limp and badly broken body and severe brain trauma. Each heart beat he had been granted since the car accident, he cherished independently.
Marc, Jimmy and Scott -- you have all shown us how to rule the Heart with Soul.
-Mike
Friday, November 28, 2008
Gear up like a Goat !
The Mountain Goat is the symbol of sure-footed toughness, perfected over evolutionary millenia. Any climber who has ever ventured into the Rockies and witnessed this majestic animal on its home turf can attest to their superior adaptation.It is for this very same reason that my favorite adventure gear store, Backcountry.com (http://www.backcountry.com/), proudly brands itself with the goat symbol.
Backcountry.com only sells gear and clothing that stands up in the toughest environments. If their staff of gear experts decides that a product is worthy of the Goat stamp-of-approval, then it is most likely worthy of mine and yours, too. But, just in case they get it wrong, they back their claims with a unconditional, money-back guarantee, and they actively seek consumer feedback in one of the most progressive customer-service programs in the industry.
You can see my feedback on some of the outdoor products I have purchased from backcountry.com by clicking on my reviews at http://www.backcountry.com/store/profile/100002532/Mike-Dawson.html
Get Hoof'n!
Mike
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