Hardwater Snowshoe Race
Gemini Adventures extended an invite to my HS'ers to participate in snowshoe race. problem was, the two race distances were 20k and 30k and I was worried they would not make the whole way. Race director opted to let us try the 30k as a relay, so of course we were in!
Got to bed around 1;30 this morning as we were gathering gear for the kids (I have not done a whole lot of mountaineering type stuff since my frostbite incident, so lots of stuff needed mending and washing...) kids met at the house at 7-7:30 (supposed to leave at 7:15...)
As we were driving up to nederland, we commented on the complete lack of snow visible to us. We were kinda hoping this wouold turn into a footrace instead...
Reached 8250 ft and found--SNOW! reached the rec center almost as the race director was leaving for the trailhead. Quickly secured numbers, turned in waivers and off we went for the 15 minute ride to the trailhead.
Arrived at the trailhead to hear the 5 minute warning. Spent some time making sure the kids were equipped and THEN tried to get my gear put together/on. Hobbled to the start line with one shoe on/one off while my son was dressing me and Coach Mitch was trying to get my other snowshoe on. i was giggling which made it more difficult.
Off we went, and unprepared me settled near the back of the pack. Mitch and I planned to run up the mountain with Eduardo for 10k, where he would "hand off" to Stefan for his 10k leg. At that hand opff point, the 20k'ers would turn around to dash down the mountian back to the sart, while the 30k'ers (and our relay) would lollipop for 10k, and hand off where we were turning around, with Drew (my son) the anchor for our relay team.
With Mitch running ridiculously hard with Eddie, i opted to be social and fell abck with some ladies that had planned to do the 30k, but were starting to think more and more about the 20k. We looked at animal tracks, talked about girl stuff and, of course, took a wrong turn. No harm, it was quick as we soon realized that there were few if any snowshoe tracks going our new way.
We doubled back, had a laugh and some gus and chews and off we went. The trail was pretty packed by the time we crossed, though the edges were certainly post-hole quality (as I found out time and time again when I would fall into the snow--just to check of course!).
The first 10 k was primarily uphill, so we opted to walk the ups and run the flats and downs 9until of course on of us would inevitably fall....) At some point, we caught up to Eddie and Mitch. Apparently our school snowshoes that have not been trail tested since the fire disintegrated upon contact with frozen water. Mitch's crampon had completely removed itself from the shoe, so he had to unlace his running shoe to tie the snowshoe onto his actual shoe.
We sent Eddie on while we finished playing and I stayed back with Mitch while he hobbled the rest of the way to the turn around. our plan was to switch out shoes with Eddie and then make it back.
Up at the adi station, we found out the many of the snowshoes were having difficulties. Drew volunteered to run with one shoe, but was quickly overruled by mom/coach. Mitch traded out a shoe leaving Drew with two left snow shoes, which was better than none. I let Mitch relace his shoe and started back down the mountain (knowing he would catch me as we descended for our final 10k).
At some point during the race, i accidentally mooned some skiers that were off trail (as i was off trail taking care of some business...) OH what a day!
Mitch caught me about halfway down and we decided to walk/jog until we relaized that people were actually catching us. We then decided to RACE down the hill, til we both felt like puking, and then ran some more. We put a significant amount of distance between us and the two folks that were coming up on us.
SO, not sure what place we took or what our time was...we won a hat and water bottle, so probably not too good! At the end we were laughing so hard at our race day antics that we nearly forgot that the boys were still up t he mountain. OOPS! only one boy would be making it to where we finished, so Mitch changed, downed a sandwich and went in search of the other two that we left at the aid station (where they had several vehicles that they could stay warm in...we're not completely bad...)
Waited for Drew to finish and found out that the same place i got lost (once going up and agian coming down) was the same place he headed off trail. So proud! Drew was ecstatic and stated tht next year, he wants to do the whole 30k!
We thanked the race director, who gave the boys some neat hats, changed, drank yummy chocolate milk and made our way down the mountain right before sunset (only because I got lost on the way home).
Full day, but definitely amazing. i hurt so bad..........Thank goodness we have a long run tomorrow..........Yikes! |