racing & company

Let me tell ya, the Sour Grapes Trail Half Marathon in Brainerd/Baxter on the cross country ski system at Northland Arboretum left me purely satisfied! I'd love to go back there when I could lay it down as one of my focal events as the course really suits me. However, knowing I've got a marathon exactly a week later kept the competitive spirit at bay. Just in the last couple years I've learned to be very disciplined in the way of sticking to my plan and making sure the B races don't turn into A races during the heat of battle. The governor was set on my engine and was ready to go only so hard until cutting out. A horn sounded and the field began to stride into this extremely turny route that consisted of grass, wood chip and loosey goosey sand!! With the trails always taking us through rollers we got a good full body workout. No major climbs to speak of but it was rare to run an 1/8 of a mile straight on flat ground. My decision to not race this effort w/a HR monitor was stupid. Especially, since two laps would be the format used on this morning. Fortunately, many helpful volunteers were out and I was able to get the time near aid stations. Early on, it was plain to see a handful of guys were out for blood and a couple others wanted a taste of it too. On a strong day, they were right at my ability level and it would have been fun to chase down the win but that wasn't the mission for this event. Letting them free had me in no man's land for the entirety which was awesome because I settled into a nice groove that was labored yet sustainable. Gobbling up a couple guys that were shot off the back of the lead group prior to beginning our second lap would keep me in this position until the end for a 6th overall finish in a 1:27:03 timing. With a delicious catered lunch following and plaque ceremony before leaving made this an organized experienced I'm certain I'll return for more.

I'd be up early the next morning as well to meet Charlie Farrow, Jeremy Kershaw, Jason Buffington & Tim Ek for an easy spin around town. We'd climb up to Skyline and roll toward Spirit in order to hit some gravel on our way down to Becks Road to find the Munger. The camaraderie in this group is always fabulous as each of them have many epic stories to tell every time I have an opportunity to ride in their presence. This was a first meeting w/Jason Buffington and found out that we're both considering the Wausau 24 on single speeds. Really friendly guy that carries a positive morale in him. We'll have to be in touch as it can be beneficial to set up our pits together for a sojourn like it. Our group would continue to break apart as Charlie and Jeremy split first and myself leaving next to head over to Mont Du Lac for some volunteering at the Dirt Spanker. Taking off muddy chips from ankles once people crossed the finish line would be my responsibility. Seeing bikes post-race had me thinking how much that sucks cleaning up. Hitching a lift w/Ton back downtown for an elk burger @ the Brewhouse & socialize w/other Peace Coffee family too was a great way to cap off a busy weekend.