Wish Dhutch luck!!!!

“Hey everyone, remember this thread? So, I wanna do an adventure race

Well, Dhutch's race is Saturday! She and three others are going to be doing a 24 hour (or is it more?) race in Lapeer, MI. The weather's going to make it hard on them, rain all weekend highs of 61, lows of 44. But, she's trained well and as always, has a great attitude.

So, wish her luck!!!


D, I know you can do it!!! Sure am proud that you're competing, GOOD LUCK! And don't forget lots of extra socks. ;)”

“I wish you all the luck!!! Knock 'em dead! or is it break a leg? I don't know what you call it, but...we know you'll do your best!!!!

Go get em!!!”

“Go get'em D!! Best wishes for happy feet.”

“Good Luck D, stay the course!”

“An endurance race in LAPEER!?! Jeez! The only things to endure there are boredom, lousy traffic, and very poor civil planning!”

“Oh Yeah, Good luck, Dhutch!”

“tons and tons of luck!!! wish i could be there to cheer you on in person!!”

“Thanks all. Especially Sass as she is loaning out Birch as support for the team. He has been fantastic and very generous with advice and time. But Sass is the greatest, you're the queen.

The total course 75-88 miles depending on route. Orienteering 15-18, Canoeing 14-15, Biking 45-55 miles. There's an extended portion of the race for any team making an 18 hour cutoff. We're going for it and will have 2 extra hours (up to 26 total) to complete.

If you are interested in this kind of thing, check out Infiterrasports.com”

“This race starts on Saturday? When is Birch leaving for the race?”

“Tomorrow afternoon. We have camp where there will be race instructions given out and we will plot routes using UTM coordinates to locate checkpoints on the topo. Then the team will attempt to sleep in the bunkhouse with 100 other racers while Birch, sets up in his new VW camper van. Race starts at 7”

“Buddha,
Birch could use some help and company! Wanna?”

“Good luck dhutch!”

“Good Luck and be careful”

“Diane - I'd love to! That's why I asked... but I have meetings until about 7:00 tomorrow. By the time I drive up there, the race'll be half over.

Best of luck to you! I'll be at the next one.... just give me notice!

Jay”

“KICK BUTT!! Hope you and your team does great! Enjoy!”

“Race starts at 7am Saturday morning, you'd be fine. Too bad though there'd be a really cool t-shirt in it for you!

Next one.”

“Good luck! I wish I coulda helped on this one, but there's no way fer me to get away. Make sure to bring some Bass for after the race!”

“Oh, the champaigne is already cooling Q!!! Plus probably a couple pints o Guinness. No matter what the finish, we be celebrating!!”

“Too bad BuddhaBear couldn't go, he could run the cyclists off course for ya! haha j/k!!!

Best of Luck!
Pain comes in two forms; slow and prolonged or fast and furious. which are you going for?”

“The competition really starts when the pain begins.

That may be a quote, but I cannot remember from where.”

“Good luck Diane!!! Be safe, but most of all HAVE FUN!

So... the race ends in the early morning on Sunday? Wish it were afternoon so I could get there to cheer you across the finish line!”

“Best of luck, Diane. You'll do great!

Ditto, I wish we could all be at the finish line for you. Take some pics?”

“Run 'em all over, dhutch! And I hope there's a foot rub waiting for you somewhere after the race!”

“queen schmeen! ;) Maybe the good witch, lol.

BB, You oughta go! You can sleep in the mystery machine w/ Birch. I bet he'd even let you have the top bunk!”

“Good Luck Dhutch! You'll knock em dead! Let us know how you do.”

“Good for you, good luck :o)”

“Good luck!!!!


8)”

“GOOD LUCK Diane!!!!”

“stay hard.”

“Wish I could get there to watch, support and cheer...

Go dhutch!!!!!”

“GOOD LUCK, GIRL!!! And kick some ASS!!!!!”

“Hey Di, Guess who's going to be there to help fish competitors out of the water (if need be)? Our dear friend Bert!!! =)”

“The Race: Moosejaw/Salomon 24 hour adventure rage 2003

First of all let me thank those who made this experience not only good but great in many ways:

Birch and Sass: Birch was the epitomy of a support GROUP rolled into one person. His attitude gave the team encouragement like nothing else could've. Through the transition areas he had anticipate our every need and then some. I cannot even begin to tell you how good unexpected hot ramen noodles and pizza are at 11:30?? after paddling 15 miles and getting cought in a storm on the lake. You buddy are awesome!!!

The team: A good friend and two strangers are strangers no more. Both teams struggling to maintain 4 person status, combined 1 1/2 weeks prior to the race. We came together and it was a fantastic experience to race with these guys. The personalities meshed with but few of the even minor irritations that sleep deprivation, stress and muscular exhaustion could cause seasoned teams.

Now for the race, this will be long.

Arrived at a Chrstian campsite on Friday afternoon. Picked out bunks and began organizing gear. Registration and check in were accomplished by 6:00 and with the race meeting to be held at 8:00, we headed out for one last meal in nearby Lapeer.

When we returned Birch had arrived and was already prepared for almost anything required of him. Who could've expected that I wouldn't have brought enough chocolate? 8) We went through the race meeting which lasted about one hour. The written directions (2 pages) and 9 maps were distributed along with so many oral addendums and changes that it was a chore to get them all written down. At 9:30 we began plotting checkpoints using the UTM coordinates given. Additional time spent creating the race strategy and laminating all maps together had us back in the bunkhouse at 1:30 pm. Another team had joined us and was sorting gear. Fortunately no trouble here sleeping through the comotion.

7:00 am. at the starting line on our bikes. Birch had ferried our canoe to the launch site and was there to see us off. We rode dirt and paved roads, two track and single track to CP1. Easily found. Same with CP2. 10 miles or more down, 50 to go. About 7 or 8 miles to CP3 located in a Boy Scout camp. It became obvious that I was the weakest biker on the long rolling hills but all teammates were positive and we felt excellent navigational skills and trail running would assist in gaining ground. At CP3 the outstaning accuracy of Jeff, our primary navigator proved to cost us about 1 hour in searching as the manned site had been admittedly positioned incorrectly. Many teams had spent 3 hours or more and quite a few had already dropped out of the race. (I think the number was 10 or 18, little fuzzy) We didn't know this and moved on our way to CP4. Irritated but not discouraged. The entire team handled this very well and CP4 was easily attained and we dropped our bikes for a trekking/orienteering section at about 1pm? Bushwacking and jogging through various terrain, we easily found the next 3 CP's dispite a gap between two printed that excluded a portion of the course. Putting our heads together and utilizing the orienteering experience and teamwork of Jeff and Stefan we did not lose much time here and jogged on to our first TA back at the camp where Birch assisted us through in about 15 minutes.

Fed, geared up for canoeng and with hydration packs refilled we made our way 1/2 mile to start paddling through a system of 15 miles of river and reservoir systems. Paddling was going smoothly with the heavier boat of Stefan and Doug bottoming out a little more frequently we were gaining a rythm of paddling and dragging our canoes through shallows. About 2 hours in I noticed that the boat Jeff and I were in was filling with water more rapidly than even heavy paddling could account for. Aftera period of labored paddling a listing canoe, struggling to steer and 2 Stops to dump out a 18 full boat had us looking for a place to repair. We found a beach and I ran up to a campsite to ask the dining residents for anything that might assist. Fix a flat?? Ok, we'll try. Returning to the beach with 5 children as an audience, the guys had discovered a hole in the bow that we could see through. Although the fix a flat did not work, a combination of filling, melted pop cap and duct tape (all stuff we had carried) was our patch and only hope to get through about 5 miles of remaining open water route. The campers were so helpful and intrigued with what we were doing it gave us a boost and we were off.

Navigating around the many islands to get to the first reservoir went well and we actually made better time than anticipated considering the difficulties. But, misjudging our location cost us about 1 mile paddling back to a missed CP (I lose the CP numbers in my memory at this point) We paddled on to the next in twighlight. As the dark fell upon us so did a rainstorm that brought winds, waves and pelting rain. No chance to don our raingear as we were in open water and fighting to reach the next checkpoint without capsizing. I was terrified but the only way through was to paddle hard and get there. Later finding that we had been through waves crashing over the bow made me grateful that Jeff had kept me in the dark knowing that I was near panic already. He was a steadying force and although very vocal I told him I was scared but paddling harder than I ever had in my life.

CP gained, soaked and shivering hard we got our raingear on and signed in. It was about 41 degrees and I had to be helped due to uncontrollable shuddering. But with the raingear on, a quick snack and the realization that our canoe was remaining seaworthy and the storm had all but quieted, we paddled on.

CP13 required a landing, bushwack and subsequent wade to an island in the middle of the river to gain a passport that would allow us to attempt an extended course if we made a cutoff time at CP17. We acuired the passport and made our way across smooth waters, warmed from our trek and with CP 14 in sight. The sky was filled with stars and we knew that dry clothes and Birch awaited us at this location.

Around 11:30 after the last 20 minute paddle we landed and ditched our canoes. Here Birch had prepared steaming ramen noodles for all and had a pizza waiting for us. Our transition lasted about 1/2 hour as we prepared for a major night navigation effort by changing clothes and checking necessary gear. Once again we were off and racing greatfully on foot.

CP15 proved to be difficult and it took us 1 1/2 hours to find. We met several teams that had been searching for 3 - 4 hours and actually attacked from CP 16. Through a group effort the punch was secured and we headed up a steep grate to CP 16 and a 400 foot zipline across the river. A fire kindled by the rope assistants was pure seduction but we warmed briefly waiting for our last zipper(?) Doug and moved away. CP 17 was close by and planning a 280 degree bearing we forged ahead. One hour was spent looking for the point and we ended up going back to the zip to regain bearings as we had begun to wander a bit on speculation. (doesn't work in the dark) Meeting up with another lost team, we maintained the bearing, spread out and captured the CP. I think they dropped out at that point, never saw them again.

5 additional CP's were accomplished during the night and on the way we met with and shared company with about 4 other teams struggling through this section of the race. We hit the CP's with precision, owing to a great navigational effort between Jeff, another guy and I maintaining bearings and using topo clues. Through this section, Doug thinks he slept while walking, Stefan had an existing knee injury flare up and required a make shift walking stick. Jeff remained strong and I fell numerous times due to a change in shoes. Twisting both ankles slightly, wrenching my left shoulder and wrist and at one point having a 4" rusty wire spear removed from my foot and shoe we kept going. Not really that I'm so tough, but more that I was that numb and on a wonderful second wind. All CP's attained we came to TA2 at 5:30 am. No time for a change of clothes but a quick filling of the hydration packs a resupply of snacks and change to bike gear had us on the road for about 20-25 miles more of biking, my weakest discipline. Although, Jeff assisted me with a hand on the back up the long rolling hills and I peddled hard on the downhills, it was apparent after CP16? that we would not make the supposed 9am cutoff for race completion. Tears began to roll but we pedalled on to CP17 where we found that only 12 teams of the original 44 had actually checked in. 4 teams had failed to get to the starting line, 18 had dropped out after CP3 and that left 9 unaccounted for, not including us. We pedalled on the 5 miles to CP18 Stefan and me walking our bikes on the steeper uphills, Jeff and Doug forging ahead to scout. We struggled once again as our route passed the uncharted road section of the maps and closely avoided an additional 5 mile bike by cutting through a two track/single track trail system. With the sound of bullets around us (small game hunting season) and the help of some of those hunters we located where CP18 was supposed to be after another hour. It was 10:30? and no one appeared to be there. Devastated we took a vote and although I think we would have gone on, decided that we were probably one of only two teams on course and knew we were behind the other. Knowing that we were 2-3 hours from the finish, we figured that the race was over for us due to time and abandonment of the manned CPs and made a phone call to Birch. Cell phone contact impossible, left a message. Uncontrollable tears and disappointment. Jeff and Doug rode on to the camp to have Stefan and I picked up leaving 2 bike CP's and 3 river swim CP's unaccomplished after 27 hours of racing.

Getting back to camp and the breakfast buffet we found out that there had been 7 teams still on course, and only 8 of the original 44 were expected to finish. More agony as we realized that the time limit had been abandoned and we would have been allowed to finish this race. No means of communication had been possible, but a great lesson learned. Unless they drag you away, keep going.

We parted ways and made a sleepy drive home after pulling over for a one hour nap. I spent a stiff and tearful afternoon unpacking my truck and retrieving Shanedog from the kennel. I guess the exhaustion overwhelmed me. This morning I sit, drinking coffee with bruise and cut trophies, almost no muscle stiffness, but an unnerving numbness in my right hand in acceptance of the learnings and triumphs that came out of this DNF.

1. No blisters, my foot care strategy was a complete success. Despite the puncture wound)

2. Sleep deprivation caused very subtle issues during the 27 hoursbut was not the factor I expected. Longer races, I'm sure would have been different

3. Just keep going

4. My teammates and Birch on support were among the elite of this group, especially considering we had only just formed and despite our DNF status.

5. Biking work is necessary for me to keep up with the big boys

6. Navigation skills are more important than pure physical ability

7. When is the next possible race I can do. I'm hooked!!

8. Time to call the doctor for a tetanus shot

Apologies for the length, but this was an incredible experience that would be lost in a Clif Note version.”

“NICE JOB DHUTCH!!!!!

You did an amazing job. 27 hours, jeesh, that is a long time to be physically exerting yourself like that. Eeventhough you DNF, you accomplished what you set out to do. You are no quitter, and I am both proud and impressed. Check out Fritz's account of his race, you'll see many similarities!

Way to go, rest up, and we'll see ya soon.”

“Outstanding, DHutch!

It sounds like, despite the disappointment of the DNF, it was a terrific and positive experience for you.

I hope you will soon be able to see it primarily as a great accomplishment.”

“Way to go girl!!!!!


Big time congrats!!!!


8)))))”

“dHutch. I think you did great!!! Sometimes not making it there first is just as much of an accomplishment!”

“Dhutch, you are tough! There's not too many of us, (including myself) who have the emotional stamina and determination, not to mention the physical endurance and the power to set aside fears to keep going through cold, wet, cold, weariness. You did awesome and we're really proud of you. I wish I could have been there to cheer you on. Next race I will.”

“Thanks all. Fritz, I just read your race report as well. I don't know about you but I'm soooo hooked. If you decide to do another, I'd race or support. That goes for anyone on this board. Those "disappointments" seem to be a recurring theme amongst adventure racers and are part of the learning experience necessary to improve future results. I would never trade this experience and am looking forward to more in the future.”

“Diane, just to say it again. You guys were amazing. It was an incredible experience to be a part of. I hope the pics come out well.”