Marysville

Oh where to start. Marc, Fitzy and I headed up Friday afternoon so we could set up prior to the night time trial. We camped in same poison ivy field as last year. It's actually a great location, it's separated from the parking lot, but you can get your car there and it's shaded. Unfortunately it's also swimming with poison ivy. So you want to wear shoes and watch where you sit things.
After setting up camp, we headed down to registration where Marc caused much confusion by registering under the name Marcus Faticus (they were not amused). Then I registered as a last minute decision. This is basically my first sport race in about a billion years. I raced a small one last year due to it being one 4 mile lap for Beginner or three 4 mile laps for Sport. So I figured what the hell, 4 miles isn't worth getting dirty for, so I raced Sport. I got DFL, but all was good. I had at least one woman in my sights almost the entire race, so it wasn't a blow out.
This past weekend, I wasn't as lucky. I knew the course wasn't to my strengths. 10 billion logs, but I've been really working on them and since Sewell was cancelled I figured what the hell.Off the start, error number 1. Take off like a bat out of hell and forget about the second rise before the woods and blow up. Ok, it's a problem, but still the beginning. I Collect myself and move on. I can still see the field in front of me. I start bobbling over the logs, one after another I'm getting more and more frustrated, but I'm still moving forward. I can still see the other women, but the gap is growing. Then I come across a guy being carried out of the woods. Yeah, this doesn't boost my confidence, but I proceed. Finally I recognize something positive. I'm climbing better than I had the previous year. Then I hit the tight twisty stuff. That section was great. I felt like I was back home riding Crack Head Bob. Finally I can see some women again, I'm gaining some ground. I keep going, plugging on. Then comes lap two. I'm riding a lot more of the logs. I'm enjoying myself. Then I realize I was concentrating so much on what I was riding, I wasn't racing anymore. Crap! I inadvertently noodled in the middle of the race, what's with that? I continue on, by now I'm way off the back. I can see some women at some cross sections, but they're way ahead by now. I finish as the Experts are starting, I didn't even get to cross the line. Yeah I suck. I finished 11 min off of the rest of the pack. Yikes! Oh well. It was a nice day out in the woods.

In addition: Marc had to pull out of the XC on Sat due to boo-boo belly. But did awesome Friday night during the time trial getting 16th overall.
Brey La-La did the TT and the Endurance Race, getting 2nd in both. Talk about two ends of the spectrum. An all out sprint and then an endurance race, all within a 24hr timeframe, wow.
Wes the conqueror sure has been living up to his name with yet another win on Sat.
Ethan won both the TT and his race Sat.
John got 2nd in the XC.
Jamie got 2nd, Andrew 4th and Fitzy 11th all in the endurance race on Sat. And I just want to point out all these guys raced the 12 hour last weekend! No rest for the weary. Great job to all!


Here's me off the front at the start. Why? I don't know.
Marc was on the side telling me to pace myself, but I don't listen. Hardheaded.



My pretty leg after all my really crappy attempts at some logs. Pedals are so unforgiving. I should just take my chances with the logs.

Cranky Monkey

Yesterday was the 12 Hours of Cranky Monkey. Oooh where to start. Saturday morning everyone convened at our house to pack as much as we could into the trailer and approximately 5 cars to head down to Quantico. Instead of packing with the when in doubt leave it out strategy, we went with everything but the kitchen sink one instead.

Once down on the base, we took off for a pre-ride of the course. We quickly got separated into two groups. Me being in the later of the two. We strolled along at a nice pace, and whenever I'd start to grind a little too much, Marc would tell me to shift down and save my legs. Fitzy got a flat so we stopped for that and we rested st the top of climbs. I started and stopped my watch when I remembered, trying to get a estimated lap time. Upon returning Amy looked at me and said, "so what do you think of the course"? I smiled and said I really liked it. With a surprised look, she said "really, even with all that climbing"? I said it didn't look that bad. It was a nice mix. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Skip ahead to race day. I raced a 3 man co-ed with Marc and Rotten Rob. Our strategy was to get an early lead by Having Rob start, then Marc a double, then Rob again, and then me before we went straight rotation. I sat and rested and ate a bunch fueling up. Nerves started to gt to me as I waited to go. I've always been 2nd during endurance races because I like to get it over with. To be set to go out on the 5th lap was more than my stomach could handle and things went south really quickly. Finally it was my turn. It was hot, my gut was a mess, we were now in 1st place and it was my turn. Yikes! Rob comes in and I I'm off. I take off up the 1st climb, then a fast flat section, then the 2nd climb, then 3rd and 4th, all fast sections in between. Oh crap no recovery. Andrew had come up on me and we rode back and forth for a while before he left me on the power climb. I keep going. I remember from the prior day where I am and vaguely how much is left. In the last 2 miles of the lap I get passed by a guy. No big deal, guys pass me all the time, until I see he's in our class. Oh crap, now I've lost our lead. Somewhere inside I dug deep to keep him within my sights. I flew along thinking, wow I can't believe I'm going this fast, but on the same hand, wow I'm going to pay for this later. And I did.

He got away, but not by much and Marc got them next lap. Unfortunately I entered the land of what Marc would probably call Zombie these days. I went back to the compound and cleaned up and tried to get myself together and eat. As I shovel down food my stomach is still very volatile. I feel comatose. I just can't get clear. I'm in a haze I can't escape. Marc and Rob both rocked great laps, then my turn. I went out as before. Consistency, that's what's key. Fell apart a little but pulled a respectable lap. 3 min slower than my first. I feel the haze getting worse. I can't bring myself to eat. I didn't even want to clean up. I was so hot. Tom followed me around until I agreed to let him pour cold water on my head to cool me down. I finally agreed. It did help, but still I felt hazy. After prodding from Marc and Tom I got some food down. Got ready and went out for my last lap.
Nothing like knowing it's going to be your last lap. It hurts so bad, but I just keep telling myself, it's ok, it'll be over soon, this is the last time I have to ride this. And I push on. Pulled a better time that was back equal to my first. So not too shabby.

We ended up getting 2nd place by I believe about 9min. We all rode our hearts out and did an awesome job. Marc did great and was in Marc mode (man on a mission). Rob was really awesome. He was able to remain jovial throughout. He smiled all day. And he pulled consistently great times.

In addition:

Wes & Matt and Jan and Blair both raced 2 man open men. Wes & Matt pulled an incredible 7 laps each. I believe at one point I remember Matt saying that he was concerned about his teammate choice as now he was going to have to work his ass off, which he did. They ended up winning their category by a lap. Way to go both of you!

Jan and Blair got 2nd. At one point Jan comes walking back over to the compound and is looking way too fresh. I asked why he was back. He said apparently Blair did a super fast lap and just took off for another one. He just sat there in a chair completely kitted up, helmet and all. His expression was great.

Ethan & Mayhew and Bob & Buddy raced in the singlespeed class. Ethan and Chris getting first and Bob and Buddy 2nd. Awesome job guys!

Buddy did 6 laps to Bob's unexpected 7 laps. I'll say unexpected because as I was waiting to go out for my final lap, Bob was walking around smiling saying how he only had 1 lap left. We all did the math and told him he'd have 2, but he was adamant about it, so we didn't say anymore. 5 minutes before the cut off in comes Buddy and Bob had to go out for his 7 lap. I didn't see him prior, but I'm guessing he wasn't as happy as the last time I saw him. They did great!

Amy "Brey-La-La" and Jamie raced co-ed duo. I'm not sure how many laps they both ended up doing, but they were both well spirited and worked their asses off throughout. They won their class. Yeah!

Levi, Andrew and Fitzy all raced the solo class. I didn't really see them all day, except for the little while Andrew and I rode together, which was really nice. Levi got 1st, Andrew for 5th (a double flat on his last lap), and Fitzy got 5th in singlespeed solo.

Meghan and Tom took care of everyone at the main tent, while Jenny tended to the solo riders over at the solo tent. They were all key as always as they were always right there willing to help out, being forever pleasant and never complaining. Tom even with a concussion and a trip to the ER worked his butt off for everyone. Thank you to everyone! I can't say enough.

Pink Problem

A couple of months ago I started messing around in the cave when climbing. At first it took everything I had to just keep myself actually having both hands and both feet attached to something upside down without falling off. Then slowly I tried moving around grabbing anything I could so I could still stay glued to the ceiling. After a while I actually started a problem, the pink problem. This problem starts on the back wall of the cave, then goes along the ceiling until you reach the outer lip, then you have to get out, up and over the top and top out. Sounds easy right, ha ha ha ha.

So I've been working on this problem little by little. Each time we climb I give it a couple shots, work on different pieces of it. Then about 2 weeks ago I had a breakthrough. I started a quarter of the way in and I finally completed the problem. This is the first time I was able to actually get out and over the top. I was so happy. So I decided to work on the first part again so I could put it all together. This is when I learned that they were shortly taking it down and rerouting it. Oh no!

This has been a work in progress for so long, I couldn't loose it now. So I asked when they were taking it down and tried to talk them into leaving it up a little longer. I had 1 week. This past week we manged to go fairly regularly. Each time I worked diligently on the pink problem. Knowing it was coming down any day. I finally managed get through the beginning without putting my feet down. Then I made from the start all the way to the lip. But by the time I got there I was so tired I couldn't top out. Afterwards I just layed on the mat waiting until my Popeye arms deflated so I could try again.

Last night was my last shot. My shoulders were already sore before even starting. My hands immediately stung as I grabbed the first hold. Probably from overuse, but hey, one last shot. I am now able to make it through the first part smoothly. Knowing exactly there I need to pivot and reposition. I tangled up for a moment in the middle just trying to collect myself as my hands seared with pain. But on I moved. From one hold to the next. As I reached the lip my arms felt like tight bands. They didn't want to give anymore. I tried to just push through. I got my feet over to the wall and I fumble. I forgot where I needed to go. As I try to figure it out, my fingers give out. Down I came. Damn!

I tried a couple of moves right from the end to figure out where I went wrong. It only took a moment to see my mistake. But it was too late. My muscles were too fatigued. The pink problem has eluded me. It will be gone by the next time I am able to get up there. I am sad, but I gave it my all & came so close.

This is an old picture of me in the cave. Back when we still had the beatiful red right hand hold. It was taken down and replaced with a very slippery blue one, which caused me and Racheal much grief for a long time.

Ooops

Last night Ethan, Meghan, Amy, Marc and I headed up to Wilmington for the Italian Festival. Parking is always a treat in the city, and we were in 3 separate cars, so we decided we'd drop off 2 of the cars at Amy's and then all pile into one and head on over. By the time I got to Amy's Marc and I had to pee really badly. So Amy let us in while Ethan waited for us. When I was done, I skipped outside (yes I skipped, I was feeling nice) and over to the red car waiting in the street and preceded to get in. That is when I noticed this wasn't Ethan's car. It was another red car. Just then the Grotto's pizza delivery guy walks over laughing saying, "you're friends car is around the corner". Oooops.
Later in the evening after partaking of some food and beverage it was time to pee again. Me and Amy headed over to the port-o-pots. There were numerous people standing around, but I couldn't tell if they were actually in line. Amy didn't care and preceded to go over to the nearest one that was green and pull open the door wide open, all the while looking at me because I'm saying I don't think you can just go in, these people might be waiting. She's looking at me laughing, not paying attention to what lay inside the port-o-pot. I then start saying "no, Amy no, you can't". Only she thinks it's because she butted, then the door slips out of her hand, only for her to rip it open a second time, while I'm still saying no. Finally she looks inside and realizes there's a guy inside taking a wiz.

Stupid 50

Went out to State College this past weekend for the Stupid 50. I had no plans to race it. I just tagged along with Marc, Matt, Buddy and Fitzy who all did race. Wes's parents so kindly put us up for the night. So that was really cool of them.

Shortly after arriving we grabbed a bite and headed off to ride some of the course. I had expressed my concern to Wes as I knew it was rocky and basically they scare me. He assured me I'd be fine and we headed off.As we drove in further and deeper into the forest (yes forest, not woods) it got hillier and hillier (mountains really). My concern grew, but I kept an open mind. Our ride started out up a long dirt road which turned into an 18 min climb for me. Yeah, by now my concern was really monstrous. I thought my head was going to pop off. Then we went into the woods. Immediately there were rocks, then wet rocks, then moss covered wet rocks. Before long I was walking. I started saying, "maybe you should point me back and you guys can keep going". But they said "it'll get better, just needed to relax. It's just a quick ride". 10 miles, 2 hours, about a bazillion "oh my's" and some other choice words, numerous more climbs and many more rocks, and me and Fitzy almost getting lost and we were finally done.

State College whooped my ass and I didn't even race!Sunday I went around with Ryan, his mom and Nancy. It was great being with someone who knew the area. Ryan would check the map and we'd take off to another spot just as the lead men were coming through. I have to hand it to everyone that did that race. It was brutal. Wes did awesome, he got 3rd overall and won the singlespeed class finishing in 4.5 hours! Matt was next to come in from our group. When I saw him about a third of the way in he was looking spry and definitely in a groove. He managed to keep that groove and finish 15th.Buddy came next, he rounding out the top 20. I felt bad because his beer he given me had gotten warm. But he was prepared and had a cold one waiting once he cleaned up. Marc came in a few minutes later. I was a little concerned since he wasn't looking so great the last time I saw him as he ripped his now broken MP3 player out his pocket saying it wasn't his day. Then I started getting reports from people that were with him at some point and said he was jovial but then he was gone. But despite having a bad day and getting off course twice he managed 21st. Not too bad.We saw many others come in, but I can't remember all the placings now. Everyone did really well. Just finishing that race was an accomplishment in itself. My hat is off to them all.

Fitzy chugging along.

Matt after the race thinking "why'd I go so fast?"

Taylor IPoding up to finish the last 20 miles.

Wes looking way too fresh after a 50 mile race. Amy just couldn't stop riding after crossing the finish.

Marc wasn't happy, but he did great. Proud of you babe!

Itchy Scratchy

The other day I'm going through the mail and get an itch on my arm.

scratch scratch...

I continue flipping through the mail.

scratch scratch scratch...

I look and think oh bumps, that's odd.

scratch scratch scratch...

Finally it dawns on me, it's Poison Ivy. Ahh, no more scratching.

Today I got an itch on my other arm.

scratch scratch...

I go to scratch it again and I pause. Make a mental note, ok to scratch, it's not the Poison Ivy arm.

scratch scratch scratch...

This went on all day until a few moments ago when I realized there's bumps on this arm too! Oh no, it's spreading!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Noodling

Went noodling yesterday with Marc.

No not that kind of noodling. Just needed a nice easy day on the bike. Rode into town and got some water ice.

mmmmm... Just what I needed.

I Love Puppies and Chicken

Had a busy day yesterday. Got up, made a list and then just started going through them and checking them off. One of them was my friend Fahey was bringing over her new puppy to show me. Her name is Natalia. She is a 16 week old Great Dane. She already weighs 36 pounds and is almost as tall as Riley, who is a 6 year old lab who weighs 86 pounds. She's so cute!

Riley and Natalia playing together.

Later in the afternoon met up with Amy for a ride. It was blazing hot and humid. After 2 hard days of riding, I wasn't sure how this was going to go. We tried to take as many shaded trails as possible stay out of the fields of fire. Unfortunately, though we had shade, we also had thick humid heavy air that just hung with no breeze. And yes I complained a lot. But it was fun.

Even better was after the ride when Amy pulled out some left over Walt's chicken she had brought. It was so good.

See I'm smiling. mmm...Amy had a little frothy beverage to wash hers down too.

All gone.