Sea to Sea Expedition Race is fixin' to happen

Tomorrow is a not a BDR, but a BDA (Big Dumb Adventure). While it looked like a fun and exciting challenge back in the fall, now that it is less than 12 hours away, it looks formidable.  I am not worried about my fitness, as I am confident that I can bike, trek, and paddle 350-400 miles over 3 days.  

What concerns me the most is being cold and wet. As of now, there is a chance of rain Thursday night into Friday morning and the nights will be in the 40's. This body loves warmth; I excel in the heat/humidity compared to others.  I have never been able to acclimate well to the cold.  It has only gotten worse since menopause.  

I also have Raynaud's, a condition where the vessels in your extremities constrict excessively in response to cold, limiting the blood supply to the affected area. Sometimes, temperatures in the 50's can trigger it.  If this happens for an extended period, I lose dexterity in my hands and feet, which makes it extra challenging to shift and brake on the bike, and for punching a checkpoint or digging in my pack to extricate what I might need at any moment.

I told the driver to take it easy in the turns.

I have all the layers packed into my "bin of fears."  This is a 27 gallon plastic tote that we have to pack all our supplies (nutrition, clothing, first aid, lights, shoes, spare parts), which has a weight limit of 40.0 pounds.  If you saw my clothing, you would think I was racing in Alaska!

I have an awesome team mate that won't let me die of exposure, but I also don't want to be a burden and I want to hold my own throughout the event, perhaps even taking the lead in case she has an unexpected issue.  So I will put on my triple G hat (grit, gristle, and gumption) and keep a positive mindset.  After all, I chose to do this, I want to do this, and it is an opportunity so many people don't have. 

I just finished watching "Society of the Snow."  If those courageous young men can survive 72 days in the Andes in sub-zero temps, surely I can survive 72 hours.

Looking forward to this on Sunday

" 'It's impossible,' said pride.  'It's risky,' said experience. 'It's pointless,' said reason. 'Give it a try,' whispered the heart." -- Unknown

Snake Creek Gap TT - 34 Mile Race Report

Blaze, 6 years old and still crushin' it!

This year marks the 20th anniversary of this race.  It has taken on several evolutions since 2005, where it started out as a series of 5 races, starting at Dug Gap and finishing at Dry Creek. This year marks the last time there will be a 50 mile offering, and along with the BEST FEBRUARY weather since its inception, everyone showed up! 

I feel very fortunate to have competed every year.  While I have not raced every month of every year, based upon my record keeping, today will be the 46th time I have toe'd the line. While I have a few 50 mile buckles, I have opted to race the "meat and potatos" version since 2019. 

With a dry, fast course and temps starting in the 40's and peaking in the 60's, this would have been the day to go for a sub-4 hour.  However, I had just completed the Huracan the weekend before ... a 400 mile bike packing ITT in central Florida. So when I woke up that morning and my Garmin told me I had a training readiness score of 5 (out of 100) and Training Peaks said my Form was -35, I told myself to just go out, have fun, and enjoy being able to ride. Is a recovery ride even possible on The Snake 😂😂😂?

It was nice not to be shivering and having to do jumping jacks at the start to keep warm. I had a wool base layer and arm/leg warmers on, along with the chemical warmers in my shoes and gloves to keep my fingers and toes alive.

With the shuttle arriving just before 8 am, I was one of the last to go off.  Perfect, as I was in my own little bubble most of the day.  I didn't even let the fact that my Garmin would not acquire GPS satellites for the first 16 miles get to me.

While pedaling along before the bridge crossing, I did set a few goals since a sub-4 hour on the course was out of the question. They were to clean the entirety of the first half and not let Sierra catch me (she was racing the 50).

Once the climbing began, I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to get my heart rate up and that the legs didn't feel too too bad.  Granny was my best friend of the day and I definitely wore those teeth down on that 52 over the course.  

I did get annoyed slightly at a couple of riders that came upon me, not wanting to pass (as I asked), but intent on being "up my butt."  I am pretty sure there is no drafting benefit at 5.3 mph.  Eventually they either fell off their bike as I hit some steep sections at almost a "track-standing" pace, or they passed me as I took a breather before the next climb.

The Pine Needle Hill re-route was a nice change, eliminating the white knuckle descent, which I have a love/hate relationship with.  Although that descent is baller fun, it has almost taken me out a time or two.

I was indeed able to "clean" all of Horn Mountain, including the clay hill climb, which was dry!  Even the section of Pilcher's Pond, usually horsed up and muddy, was in primo shape.  I rolled down into the parking lot about the hour 2 mark and had the volunteers refill my CamelBak while I consumed a gel and removed my arm warmers. I wanna give a shout out to these ladies as they have been manning this aid station for as long as I can remember.  I bet they were happy for this weather, too!

After the 2 minute aid station stop, I slowly made my way up Middle Mountain, allowing my legs to come back to life.  As a strong woman passed by me towards the top, I thought that Sierra had caught up to me.  Fortunately it was the young speedster, Ava, so my goal of not getting passed by Sierra was still a possibility. Sasquatch scared the 💩 out of the person in front of me, which was good for a laugh. 

Once on the ridge, it was a pleasant roll and I believe I even had a tail wind.  The miles rolled on as I descended down to Swamp Creek and then made my way up Hurricane.  It was here that I experienced my low ... legs were done, or at least felt so.  

As I rounded the corner to begin the last single track section, I thanked the volunteers for being there and said out loud, "It's all downhill from here."  A good friend (John Switow) told me a few years back when we raced the Appalachian Journey, that if you can make it to the last 25 miles of an event, you can finish it.  So, for me, this section was my last "25 miles." 

Despite the fatigue monster on my back, I had a respectable ride and continued my personal challenge to ride as much of the technical bits as possible.  I surprised myself in a few sections and others, well, just couldn't manage to turn the pedals over. 

I finished with a time of 4:23:20.  Good enough for 2nd in the women over 40 class.  And both mini goals accomplished. Hats off to Lisa with a time of 4:08:17.  If the course is as good in March, I know she will be able to get her sub-4; me, too, hopefully.

This was definitely a 5-G kind of day:  grit, gristle, gumption, granny, gear! 

Huracan 400 Ride Report -- Day 3

 6 am came early.  My eyelids was swole and my legs were slightly sore and tired.  But I was anxious to get the day started.  Breakfast consisted of several cups of coffee and a couple of omelettes.  We had to wait for the Winn Dixie to open at 7 am to grab some ride food to get us to the Publix in Inverness.  

Sopping up the remaining gravy with more bacon!

The five miles of the Withlacoochee Rail Trail was a nice start to get our legs warmed up.  It had rained briefly during the night making hero dirt/sand at Croom. The temperature was also a cool 60 degrees and would not get any hotter today. 

The single track was a welcome sight.  My taint was already whimpering, so I used the opportunity on the trail to stand and coast as often as possible. Despite the nuisance pains and the fatigue, I was in a happy place here.

Lindsey's still had her patellofemoral pain.  This prevented her from being able to stand and pedal out of the saddle.  She didn't complain; she just embraced the suck. After 25 miles of Croom, we then rode a section of Florida Trail, which was a couple miles of rough or plowed double track.  From there it was a pavement jaunt to Lake Lindsey.  

Mother Nature had woken up by now and the dirty devil that she can be, decided to turn the winds today to once again hit us head on. I soon figured out that by pushing a harder gear and pedaling a lower cadence, that it had less of a "meat-grinder" effect to my lady bits.  I also spent a good portion of the day standing and pedaling.  So now, I am pretty sure I could finish a race if my saddle broke.

Lake Lindsey Mall was closed, being a Sunday.  We had plenty of food, but took a short break to use the porta john and get water from the spigot.  It was a hard push into the wind for what seemed like forever before we headed north into the Citrus WMA.

Brittle Road in the Citrus WMA

This area was stunningly beautiful.  The roads were fast and the surrounding forests sheltered us from the winds.  There was even a short section of single track.

Citrus WMA single track

Trail 13 Citrus WMA

Trails 10 and 9 through the wildlife management area were a much needed respite.  We finally had a tailwind!  So strong that we were able to easy pedal/coast for a good portion.  This brought us into Inverness where we peeled off the route to hit the Publix.

Publix lunch

We pulled in and laid our gear and ourselves over the entire sidewalk leading into the store.  Some shoppers were miffed as they were stepping over us and weaving their buggies around our stuff, but we ... did ... not ... care.  I had taken an Udi's GF bagel from the Holiday Inn to which I added turkey and muenster to it.  Man, that was delicious!

Lindsey purchased a Salonpas lidocaine patch, in hopes that it would give her a little relief.  But she was having difficulties in getting it to stick to her skin.  She finally managed.  Not sure how much it helped ... placebo effect?  

15 miles of the Withlacoochee Rail Trail lay ahead of us to Dunnellon.  Lisa and I took turns pulling.  Towards the latter half of the trail, I had to stop and put on my rain jacket for warmth, along with inserting chemical warmers into my shoes and gloves.  A combination of fatigue and dropping temperatures (mid to high 50's now) was causing me to shiver and lose feeling in my extremities.  Even pushing a high gear and pulling, I could not get my core to heat up.  But once I put those items on, I felt much better and my teeth stopped chattering.

Withlacoochee Rail Trail

Once we hit the Dunnellon Rail Trail, the foot traffic became heavy, what with the evening walkers out and about. This was a very pretty section along here and just watching out for the people kept my focus away from the fatigue monster that was weighing heavily on my back.

For The Love of God ...!

One more nasty little stretch of plowed trail and then we popped out on the highway of Death, Hwy 484.  Three shoulder less miles of cringing each time a vehicle would pass, praying that today was not my time.

We stopped at Pruitt Trailhead to use the bathroom.  Not wanting to use the equine watering hole, we divvied up our remaining water and put our lights on, as it would soon be dark.  We bounced along the horse trodden section eagerly looking for the Tricycle Trail.  Lindsey finally had enough with her other cleat, as it would not clip in to the pedal.  Turning her shoe over, it looked like someone had taken a hammer to the metal ... that was one f'kd up cleat.  Fortunately she had a spare set, so we spent a few minutes changing it out.

Lesson learned: don't buy "Shimano" cleats on Amazon

Once on the Tricycle Trail, I managed to find some energy.  But it seems I always feel better on trail ... this is my jam.  The miles easily ticked on.  And then there was Razorback, in the dark.  A little bit sketchy, but still fun nonetheless.  And then back on Tricycle, which was getting old.  I was ready to be on Ern and Burn.  Finally at the end of Tricycle, I realized we had to ride Beyond West first ... OMG!  I was ready to be done.  And I was shivering again!  We stopped and I reached in my saddle bag and pulled out my night shirt, which I threw on over my race kit and then put my rain jacket back on over that.

Fortunately Beyond West was just a mile, but Ern and Burn felt like an eternity.  I was so cold (it was only 51 degrees), that my brain was having a hard time processing the trail.  Finally I saw the sign for Shangri-La.  I was smelling the barn!

Almost there!

We reached the campground and the end of the Huracan.  But we still had a 6 miles of pavement to get back to the hotel. And a closed campground gate to hoist our bikes over ... oof!  This was the second sketchiest stretch of road.  At night, on Hwy 484, with vehicles flying by without any concern that a human was attached to the bicycle, I prayed once again.  There was a bike lane, but what good is that when debris, downed branches, and overhanging limbs are present? At least I wasn't cold, as the remaining adrenalin was coursing through my veins.

We finished our journey at 9:30 pm, once again too late to enjoy a hearty meal.  But then again, we were all so exhausted, that the hunger wasn't really there.  Man, what an adventure!  And with two wonderfully strong, fiery, and feisty women! Lindsey is the Superhero of Suck, meaning her power is the ability to absorb all the bad luck and still keep going strong!

 Lisa and Lindsey, you are the absolute best, and the entirety of our adventure, the highs, the lows, and everything in between, will not be forgotten.  Loved, loved, loved it.  

And thank you Karlos, for creating this route, allowing us to pursue greatness through adversity and fellowship.

Live Oak on Tricycle

There is already talk of another BDR 😊

107 miles, 3700 feet 

Elapsed time:  14:00        Moving time:  11:36

Total distance:  402 miles

Total elevation:  10,000 feet

Total time: 60 hours 18 minutes