- Location
- South Carolina....no public land
Since I found out about the Tsali Challenge in February, I have been stoking my self up for it. Running, mt biking and paddling (even bought a new boat). I've entered a number of road runs, and recently an 11k trail run (came in 3rd for my age / gender group). This morning was the event (actual distances: 2.8 mile flatwater paddle, 4.3 mile trail run and 12.1 mile mt bike). I had previously set a goal of 3 hours (better to set a goal you can feel comfortable meeting, than something totally outrageous - especially for the first time).
The paddling event uses a handicap system that is based on boat length and width. Basically, what this means, is a faster boat gets to sit for the number of minutes that equals that boat's handicap, while all of the other lower handicap boats get to take off at 1 minute intervals (handicap 0 = go at clock start, handicap 1 = go at 1 min, handicap 2 = go at 2 min, etc.). My boat handicap was 5 (= 5 minutes of sitting...!). Despite this handicap, I caught and passed most of the other boats that started before me. I say most, because there must have been 20 competitors that had made land before I got back.
2 minute transition time (dump the boating gear and change into trail running shoes) and into the 4.5 mile trail run. It went well, I passed more people than passed me. Then on to the mt bike. The transition felt like it took forever, but I hit the trail reasonably quickly. The first part of the mt bike is a fun downhill, but my legs were a little toasted from the run.
About mile 4 on the mt bike, my calves started to talk about cramping up. I had to really concentrate on my technique, and take whatever opportunity to stretch my legs as I could (thank god for downhills!). I passed another 5 people on the mt bike stage, and only one person got close to passing me. Luckily, that person was still behind me as I crested the hill on the fire road (~2 miles from the end). From there it was a mile (or so) of gravelly downhill, and I don't hold back, despite the two wheel drifts through the turns. By the time I got to the next hill (about 1 mile from the finish line), this person was no-where to be seen! That last hill is not too long, then a downhill finish.
My goal was 3 hours, and I SMASHED IT!!!! I finished in 2 hours and about 23 minutes (give or take , I didn't see the exact time when I crossed the line). In the end, there were 13 other people to finish in front of me. 10 men, and 3 women. That puts me 11th for the men! I'm very satisfied with these results. This is the first time for an event of this type and length for me.
The paddling event uses a handicap system that is based on boat length and width. Basically, what this means, is a faster boat gets to sit for the number of minutes that equals that boat's handicap, while all of the other lower handicap boats get to take off at 1 minute intervals (handicap 0 = go at clock start, handicap 1 = go at 1 min, handicap 2 = go at 2 min, etc.). My boat handicap was 5 (= 5 minutes of sitting...!). Despite this handicap, I caught and passed most of the other boats that started before me. I say most, because there must have been 20 competitors that had made land before I got back.
2 minute transition time (dump the boating gear and change into trail running shoes) and into the 4.5 mile trail run. It went well, I passed more people than passed me. Then on to the mt bike. The transition felt like it took forever, but I hit the trail reasonably quickly. The first part of the mt bike is a fun downhill, but my legs were a little toasted from the run.
About mile 4 on the mt bike, my calves started to talk about cramping up. I had to really concentrate on my technique, and take whatever opportunity to stretch my legs as I could (thank god for downhills!). I passed another 5 people on the mt bike stage, and only one person got close to passing me. Luckily, that person was still behind me as I crested the hill on the fire road (~2 miles from the end). From there it was a mile (or so) of gravelly downhill, and I don't hold back, despite the two wheel drifts through the turns. By the time I got to the next hill (about 1 mile from the finish line), this person was no-where to be seen! That last hill is not too long, then a downhill finish.
My goal was 3 hours, and I SMASHED IT!!!! I finished in 2 hours and about 23 minutes (give or take , I didn't see the exact time when I crossed the line). In the end, there were 13 other people to finish in front of me. 10 men, and 3 women. That puts me 11th for the men! I'm very satisfied with these results. This is the first time for an event of this type and length for me.
