I awoke from La Hacienda in Las Galeras and put on my running shoes ... and headed into the juggle and mountains. I spoke with a traveller the evening prior who had taken a horse riding excursion. He told me, "You may or may not find the whale observation deck ... it's that way."
I was cocky. Pretty sure I would find it. I followed my nose ... and only after one wrong turn ... I found myself running towards the top of a ridge thinking and seeing a structure.
I then thought ... okay ... how far could Playa Fronton really be?
I retraced my steps ... and looked for a natural path to the South. About 400m into the path I there was a Dominican walking ... "Playa Fonton?", I said.
Si, "Playa Fronton", he said with a smile.
A beautiful run ... shrouded in trees ... I occasionally hip hopped my way pass fallen magos being a bit careful not to squash them. However, I landed on one ... and it sprayed my leg. I had heard that these Magos were probably full of ants - and would not be good. I was sceptical.
I continued up ... and then down ... towards crashing waves.
I was pretty sure I found Playa Fronton. This was confirmed by a group of German Tourist and their guide.
When I asked the guide if I was on Playa Fronton, he assure me I was. Commando Beaunita?, he said.
He seemed a bit sceptical.
You see, I understand that this is a good place to get robbed.
I didn't stay long on the beach ... and turned back into the juggle where I came from.
11km into my run, I heard rustling in the tree that I was approaching. I looked up in time to see a falling magoe which landed on my shoulder. I immediately thought ... okay ... these freaking magos must be good eating.
I reached below me and looked at two and choose one. Breaking the skin, I dug in.
It was delicious.
Grabbing another two ... and a third in my small pocket ... I excitedly thought ... this is heaven.
Imagine getting hit by a falling mango.
Life is good.
Friday, 12 February 2016
Monday, 25 January 2016
LIZARD SKINNER SKI MOUNTAINEERING RACE - Jan 20, 2016 - Fernie, BC
I first tried Ski Mountaineer Racing about 2009 or 2010. A long time ago. While never really training for the events, I enjoy the spectacle of the event - getting to the mountains & experience winter to the fullest.
I recently acknowledged how much I enjoy this sport, became a little frustrated with my sub-standard gear so 8 days ago I picked up the phone (on the advice on a few of Canada's fastest skimo racers including Mel Bernier) and called Telemark-Pyrenees in Spain ... and spoke to a guy, "I'm 49 years old, love this sport, and will never win a race. What gear should I purchase?"
4 Business days later - I had some very light and fast new gear! $2,500 CDN bought me some skills!
On Saturday I lined up at the start with the usual small group of 20 or 30 people.
We went up, and down, up, and down, up and down ... and covered 15 km and 1750m of elevation. For me, the ups were faster, but the downs were much slower. This gear is so light ... it made skiing down a bit scarry. I felt like a beginner. Because it had rained in Fernie the day prior, the course was icy. While there were nice patches of snow, for the most part - it was icy (and scary). A fall would definitely hurt ... so speed control was my mojo.
In the end, I was faster. I was about 50 minutes behind the winning male Travis Brown and just 15 minutes slower than winning female Kyle Toth. Normally I think I am at least an hour slower than the top males. I'll have to look back on past years results .... hmmm ... yes, I do really care. Interesting!
While the course was probably the least interesting that I've ever skiied (we didn't get above alpine), I got to see a very old friend who I met in 1990 in Guyana. Was the same day out and back 3 hour drive to Fernie worth it? Absolutely!
I recently acknowledged how much I enjoy this sport, became a little frustrated with my sub-standard gear so 8 days ago I picked up the phone (on the advice on a few of Canada's fastest skimo racers including Mel Bernier) and called Telemark-Pyrenees in Spain ... and spoke to a guy, "I'm 49 years old, love this sport, and will never win a race. What gear should I purchase?"
4 Business days later - I had some very light and fast new gear! $2,500 CDN bought me some skills!
On Saturday I lined up at the start with the usual small group of 20 or 30 people.
We went up, and down, up, and down, up and down ... and covered 15 km and 1750m of elevation. For me, the ups were faster, but the downs were much slower. This gear is so light ... it made skiing down a bit scarry. I felt like a beginner. Because it had rained in Fernie the day prior, the course was icy. While there were nice patches of snow, for the most part - it was icy (and scary). A fall would definitely hurt ... so speed control was my mojo.
In the end, I was faster. I was about 50 minutes behind the winning male Travis Brown and just 15 minutes slower than winning female Kyle Toth. Normally I think I am at least an hour slower than the top males. I'll have to look back on past years results .... hmmm ... yes, I do really care. Interesting!
While the course was probably the least interesting that I've ever skiied (we didn't get above alpine), I got to see a very old friend who I met in 1990 in Guyana. Was the same day out and back 3 hour drive to Fernie worth it? Absolutely!
 |
| LIZARD SKINNER SKI MOUNTAINEERING RACE - The Course - Jan 20, 2016 - Fernie, BC |
Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Wapta Ski Mountaineer Weekend w our Canadian Skimo Team
Sport is a funny thing - you get a taste of it, you develop it, you challenge yourself ... and it takes you places.
In 2008 after the World Championships Ironman my family was vacationing in Kona and we ended up meeting Bruno Long at a coffee planation. He was hitch hiking and needed a lift. We immediately were having a great time hanging out. He told me about his roommate Jeff who was doing Ski Mountaineer Racing. I was immediately intrigued.
Beginning that winter, I started doing the occassional skimo race. I think my first race was in either rented gear, or on my Telemark skii's. I ended up buying a used lightweight skimo boot from 'legend' Steve Sellers, that I just replaced last week. At that time, Steve also recommended I buy a $250 set of skii's on sale at MEC, and Mohair skins.
For the most part, I don't ski mountaineer. I don't train for skimo. I only 'participate' in skimo races. (I would like to do it, I would like to train for it, but I have not 'really' allowed it into my life - as it has not been a priority.) Since 2009, I think I must have done ... more than 5 ... but less than 10 races. With a good fitness base, I tend to finish mid pack.
Having the gear, fitness, and willingness to participate in Skimo ... leads you to special places, and I think, life events.
You see, a few years ago, I made the decision that I would do an Ironman race in age group, as I "age-group up" .... meaning every 5 years. I've kept that going since in my early 30's in 2001.
In November I registered to race Ironman Arizonia in 2016. To mix up training ... I decided to do some skimo racing ... I did the Vert 180 and having a not too bad a result, I invited myself along to The Canadian Skimo Team training weekend run from Bow Hut Dec 11-13, 2015.
Over the course of the 3 days we skiied 3500m of vertical.
It was pretty stellar ... I got to do more of this.
In 2008 after the World Championships Ironman my family was vacationing in Kona and we ended up meeting Bruno Long at a coffee planation. He was hitch hiking and needed a lift. We immediately were having a great time hanging out. He told me about his roommate Jeff who was doing Ski Mountaineer Racing. I was immediately intrigued.
Beginning that winter, I started doing the occassional skimo race. I think my first race was in either rented gear, or on my Telemark skii's. I ended up buying a used lightweight skimo boot from 'legend' Steve Sellers, that I just replaced last week. At that time, Steve also recommended I buy a $250 set of skii's on sale at MEC, and Mohair skins.
For the most part, I don't ski mountaineer. I don't train for skimo. I only 'participate' in skimo races. (I would like to do it, I would like to train for it, but I have not 'really' allowed it into my life - as it has not been a priority.) Since 2009, I think I must have done ... more than 5 ... but less than 10 races. With a good fitness base, I tend to finish mid pack.
Having the gear, fitness, and willingness to participate in Skimo ... leads you to special places, and I think, life events.
You see, a few years ago, I made the decision that I would do an Ironman race in age group, as I "age-group up" .... meaning every 5 years. I've kept that going since in my early 30's in 2001.
In November I registered to race Ironman Arizonia in 2016. To mix up training ... I decided to do some skimo racing ... I did the Vert 180 and having a not too bad a result, I invited myself along to The Canadian Skimo Team training weekend run from Bow Hut Dec 11-13, 2015.
Over the course of the 3 days we skiied 3500m of vertical.
It was pretty stellar ... I got to do more of this.
Castle Mountain Resort Skimo Race
On Saturday I entered Canada's first ever Skimo Sprint Race. We lined up in groups of 3 ... and skiied, boot packed, and skiied uphill, before transitioning for the downhill. The winners did the entire thing is less than 2 1/2 minutes. I finished almost 2 minutes slower, in about 10th place. ;-)
Did I enjoy it?
I enjoyed the camaraderie at hanging out at the bottom of the hill ... watching some pretty exceptional athletes prepare and execute some pretty trick moves to be fast.
In order to be fast in a sprint race like this ... there are a few requirements. While fast twitch mussels are required to win, you also need to have practised lighting fast transitions, and have pretty sleek fast racing boots and skii's.
I suffered in all departments!
Sunday was the main event ... where we lined up and skiied to the top of the mountain ... then boot packed a bit higher. I kept one of the fast girls in sight to nearly the top ... until my ski fell off a 3rd time ... when I dropped farther behind. The wind was howling, snow was blowing ... and it felt pretty extreme!
The descent down was pretty awesome ... however instead of going to the extreme bottom of the run, I turned left and got of course. I missed the climb to the top of Huckleberry Chair then Haig Ridge. I was disappointed to have missed a good portion of the course ... and was therefore disqualified.
What did I Learn ... Does this matter?
Well, I received a message from one of our best Canadian Female Athletes on Monday ... asking me if I wished to order a Skin Suit. I said Yes.
I really enjoy these sorts of endurance events ... sufferfests. I think it is the "awe" of the event. For the most part, I am just a regular guy who likes to drink beer on the couch ... but somehow ... if I'm lined up with a bunch of people ... and someone yells "Go" ... I love to just try to follow as long as I can! I see some pretty neat things ... and experience a whack of emotions in a short period of time. I Love it!
Should I invest in better, faster gear ... and then practice fast transitioning just to have a chance at being competitive?
I'm struggling with this. The sport is 'fringe'. On Saturday I finished about 10th overall ... which doesn't sound too bad. However, that was DEAD LAST! There are not a great deal of participants.
On Sunday there were about 30 people ... perhaps only 15 or so doing the longer 'competitive' course.
I enjoy the longer course ... and on this course I'm racing with North America's fastest. With lighter gear ... instead of finishing 1 hour and 20 minutes behind ... I finish 1 hour behind.
However, I think I would like to get lighter gear ... I guess the only reason I don't ... is I'm quite frugal.
Life is short.
Did I enjoy it?
I enjoyed the camaraderie at hanging out at the bottom of the hill ... watching some pretty exceptional athletes prepare and execute some pretty trick moves to be fast.
In order to be fast in a sprint race like this ... there are a few requirements. While fast twitch mussels are required to win, you also need to have practised lighting fast transitions, and have pretty sleek fast racing boots and skii's.
I suffered in all departments!
Sunday was the main event ... where we lined up and skiied to the top of the mountain ... then boot packed a bit higher. I kept one of the fast girls in sight to nearly the top ... until my ski fell off a 3rd time ... when I dropped farther behind. The wind was howling, snow was blowing ... and it felt pretty extreme!
The descent down was pretty awesome ... however instead of going to the extreme bottom of the run, I turned left and got of course. I missed the climb to the top of Huckleberry Chair then Haig Ridge. I was disappointed to have missed a good portion of the course ... and was therefore disqualified.
What did I Learn ... Does this matter?
Well, I received a message from one of our best Canadian Female Athletes on Monday ... asking me if I wished to order a Skin Suit. I said Yes.
I really enjoy these sorts of endurance events ... sufferfests. I think it is the "awe" of the event. For the most part, I am just a regular guy who likes to drink beer on the couch ... but somehow ... if I'm lined up with a bunch of people ... and someone yells "Go" ... I love to just try to follow as long as I can! I see some pretty neat things ... and experience a whack of emotions in a short period of time. I Love it!
Should I invest in better, faster gear ... and then practice fast transitioning just to have a chance at being competitive?
I'm struggling with this. The sport is 'fringe'. On Saturday I finished about 10th overall ... which doesn't sound too bad. However, that was DEAD LAST! There are not a great deal of participants.
On Sunday there were about 30 people ... perhaps only 15 or so doing the longer 'competitive' course.
I enjoy the longer course ... and on this course I'm racing with North America's fastest. With lighter gear ... instead of finishing 1 hour and 20 minutes behind ... I finish 1 hour behind.
However, I think I would like to get lighter gear ... I guess the only reason I don't ... is I'm quite frugal.
Life is short.
 |
| Canada's First Sprint Skimo Race, Jan 9, 2015. Jason & Mark Toth beat me easily in this heat. (Pic credit to Mark Gallup.) |
Saturday, 3 October 2015
Harvest Half Marathon
Recently ran into Mark at Talisman Centre. He's a happy sort of fellow who I've seen there for years. We finally got into a conversation. He's leading Mindfulness Mediation on Monday Mornings at 6am. I went this week ... as I've heard about the benefits of Mediation - and have been 'trying' it out for about a year now.
Ran the Harvest Half Marathon with friend Greg K today. I invited him to join me in Ghosting it last night. When I woke this morning I texted him ... positively inviting him again ... Let's do it. It was windy like heck ... and 0 degrees.
If he wasn't going - I wasn't going.
Frig ... he said Yes.
Ok - I'll do it too. It will be bette if he picks me up.
Cold start ... but such a beautiful course. Hilly.
I was surprised how controlled we were the first couple of kilometres. 4 min 40 seconds. I didn't feel good & this was plenty fast. Relax. Enjoy.
We were ghosting this ... running/racing for ourselves. Really - just a training run. Normally the first km of a race like this ... I would be shooting for about a 4:15 but would invariably run at 3:45 in the excitement. (Not good).
We ran shoulder to shoulder for the first 11km ... when I began to feel really good. I turned to Greg, and claimed, "I'm going to lay it down."
I ran 3min 55" for the next 2 km ... then eventually settled into about a 4min 20" pace.
Finished in 1 hour 33 min ... running fast through the shoot so as not to have a volunteer wrap a finisher's medal around my neck. (I ghosted the course ... I tried to register yesterday - and pay to enter ... but it was full at 1000 participants. ... coming from the East Coast - I'm still not used to The West's high registration fees and selling out for these types of events!)
//
I've mediated 3 our 4 days in a row using the ap HeadSpace.
//
I finished the race just a bit in front of bib #12.
I've visited the HarvestHalfMarathon.com website only about a half dozen times today ... looking to see how I ranked. Those bastards still haven't posted the results.
I'm practicing Mindfulness.
Pretty sure I still have work to do.
 |
| Committing to do Harvest Half Marathon at 6:20am today. |
If he wasn't going - I wasn't going.
Frig ... he said Yes.
Ok - I'll do it too. It will be bette if he picks me up.
Cold start ... but such a beautiful course. Hilly.
I was surprised how controlled we were the first couple of kilometres. 4 min 40 seconds. I didn't feel good & this was plenty fast. Relax. Enjoy.
We were ghosting this ... running/racing for ourselves. Really - just a training run. Normally the first km of a race like this ... I would be shooting for about a 4:15 but would invariably run at 3:45 in the excitement. (Not good).
We ran shoulder to shoulder for the first 11km ... when I began to feel really good. I turned to Greg, and claimed, "I'm going to lay it down."
I ran 3min 55" for the next 2 km ... then eventually settled into about a 4min 20" pace.
Finished in 1 hour 33 min ... running fast through the shoot so as not to have a volunteer wrap a finisher's medal around my neck. (I ghosted the course ... I tried to register yesterday - and pay to enter ... but it was full at 1000 participants. ... coming from the East Coast - I'm still not used to The West's high registration fees and selling out for these types of events!)
//
I've mediated 3 our 4 days in a row using the ap HeadSpace.
//
I finished the race just a bit in front of bib #12.
I've visited the HarvestHalfMarathon.com website only about a half dozen times today ... looking to see how I ranked. Those bastards still haven't posted the results.
I'm practicing Mindfulness.
Pretty sure I still have work to do.
Thursday, 1 October 2015
I thought I was faster
Last night was my 3rd Wednesday night of Midweek Mayhem ... a fun cycle cross Wednesday night bike race series. I signed up for the B group ... which many of my friends 'heckled' me for doing. You see ... I am racing against brand new cyclist from 12 year old girls to old guys like me who have been riding and training for years ... but have not really figured out how to be fast. (I doubt if there is anyone with as much training and racing experience as me in this B group!)
... well, that's a bit embarrassing.
When I started road bike racing in 2009, I kind of dreamed that I could get to the level of Category 3. It took 5 years ... and this year I got my Cat 2 upgrade. (Racing in the "B" group with a Cat 2 license definitely feels like "Sand Bagging" as I sit here thinking and writing from an outside perspective!)
I was not particularly keen on riding or racing last night ... as I rushed home and changed into my cycling gear. I had that grumpy feeling ... I think it may come with middle age - unsettleness. Not sure. However, these days, the hardest part of a workout tends to be getting my gear on - and getting out the door. Once I'm started ... I'm good.
I rode from home, stopping to preview a home for sale enroute to Deerfoot Park, NE.
I arrived at the start line with plenty of time ... and kind of bullied my way to an extremely good start position at the very front.
I wanted to give my best effort tonight - as I really do want to upgrade to the A group. Deep down, I want to belong there! (On Strava last week, after being heckled by my friends ... I declared that I was going to win the B Group this week.)
Right out of the shoot, about 8 guys were leading. I hung on ... and thought ... well my endurance is better ... and I'll catch them and pass them on lap 2. Heart was pounding. Towards the end of this very first lap, I lost my chain on a very steep hill. (The result of poor shifting & perhaps poor bike maintenance - my fault.) The group of 8-10 got a lead that I never did bridge ... and only lost more time in the next two laps.
I finished about 10th.
At the finish line, my son congratulated me on racing well ... then added, "You let <name> Dad beat you. He just started racing."
Another friend & team mate with TCR, Kurt - reminded me that I cut some of the course. "I was on your wheel ... and then you cut some flags ... did you hear me? ... I yelled - I'm going to unfriend you on facebook!"
Oh well ... there's always next week.
... well, that's a bit embarrassing.
When I started road bike racing in 2009, I kind of dreamed that I could get to the level of Category 3. It took 5 years ... and this year I got my Cat 2 upgrade. (Racing in the "B" group with a Cat 2 license definitely feels like "Sand Bagging" as I sit here thinking and writing from an outside perspective!)
I was not particularly keen on riding or racing last night ... as I rushed home and changed into my cycling gear. I had that grumpy feeling ... I think it may come with middle age - unsettleness. Not sure. However, these days, the hardest part of a workout tends to be getting my gear on - and getting out the door. Once I'm started ... I'm good.
I rode from home, stopping to preview a home for sale enroute to Deerfoot Park, NE.
I arrived at the start line with plenty of time ... and kind of bullied my way to an extremely good start position at the very front.
I wanted to give my best effort tonight - as I really do want to upgrade to the A group. Deep down, I want to belong there! (On Strava last week, after being heckled by my friends ... I declared that I was going to win the B Group this week.)
Right out of the shoot, about 8 guys were leading. I hung on ... and thought ... well my endurance is better ... and I'll catch them and pass them on lap 2. Heart was pounding. Towards the end of this very first lap, I lost my chain on a very steep hill. (The result of poor shifting & perhaps poor bike maintenance - my fault.) The group of 8-10 got a lead that I never did bridge ... and only lost more time in the next two laps.
I finished about 10th.
At the finish line, my son congratulated me on racing well ... then added, "You let <name> Dad beat you. He just started racing."
Another friend & team mate with TCR, Kurt - reminded me that I cut some of the course. "I was on your wheel ... and then you cut some flags ... did you hear me? ... I yelled - I'm going to unfriend you on facebook!"
Oh well ... there's always next week.
 |
| Mid Week Mayhem - CX Race - My sons girlfriend beat me. |
Friday, 25 September 2015
3rd Quarter Adventure
I just realized, the older I get, the more I think in quarters. Not so much for planning ... but how the last quarter went. Did I hit my business targets? Did I get sufficient exercise? Did I have have sufficient adventure/fun? Is my life progressing in the direction I want it to go in? Am I moving towards a designed life or am I just living day to day reacting to the circumstances around me?
A friend and colleague at work, Tim Banfield, is constantly adventuring. He frequently invites me to climb, mtn bike, ski tour, and scramble. I finally said yes ... and we picked Tuesday 22 September to do something.
On Monday we decided to do a Multi Pitch climb at the Ghost area (Don Getty Wildland). While I have ridden my road bike a little bit in this area ... I really had no idea where we were going.
Getting there is Tim's Grand Cherokee was almost enough adventure. A short hike from the drainage and we were at the base of our choosen route - Heidies with Hilties - a 5.10b route established in 2000 by two women by the name of Heidi! The last time I did a 5.10b was at Smith Rock in Oregon in 1991 with my brother ... and it was a single pitch.
Tim led the 4 pitches and I followed. At one point I thanked Tim for keeping the rope tight ... and he replied that he was giving me a 'girl friend belay'. With a taunt rope, I was able to successfully do the entire climb without falling.
Tim assured me that at no time were we ever in danger, and I acknowledge that. However, at the same time - my body was completely exhausted as we reached the top at the final 4th pitch. At he base of the climb, we had a snack before going on a short hike to find the Secret Cabin.
Completely at peace, I lied on the bunk ... so thankful to be in this amazing location.
In retrospect, the highlight of the day was not the adrenalin pumping climb up the steep wall ... but the relaxation of hanging out in this wee cabin in complete peace!
At the same time, I needed the climb to enjoy the peace of the cabin. I guess it is the ying and yang or pendulum of life - you cannot have happiness without sadness, you cannot have success without failure.
A friend and colleague at work, Tim Banfield, is constantly adventuring. He frequently invites me to climb, mtn bike, ski tour, and scramble. I finally said yes ... and we picked Tuesday 22 September to do something.
On Monday we decided to do a Multi Pitch climb at the Ghost area (Don Getty Wildland). While I have ridden my road bike a little bit in this area ... I really had no idea where we were going.
Getting there is Tim's Grand Cherokee was almost enough adventure. A short hike from the drainage and we were at the base of our choosen route - Heidies with Hilties - a 5.10b route established in 2000 by two women by the name of Heidi! The last time I did a 5.10b was at Smith Rock in Oregon in 1991 with my brother ... and it was a single pitch.
Tim led the 4 pitches and I followed. At one point I thanked Tim for keeping the rope tight ... and he replied that he was giving me a 'girl friend belay'. With a taunt rope, I was able to successfully do the entire climb without falling.
Tim assured me that at no time were we ever in danger, and I acknowledge that. However, at the same time - my body was completely exhausted as we reached the top at the final 4th pitch. At he base of the climb, we had a snack before going on a short hike to find the Secret Cabin.
Completely at peace, I lied on the bunk ... so thankful to be in this amazing location.
In retrospect, the highlight of the day was not the adrenalin pumping climb up the steep wall ... but the relaxation of hanging out in this wee cabin in complete peace!
At the same time, I needed the climb to enjoy the peace of the cabin. I guess it is the ying and yang or pendulum of life - you cannot have happiness without sadness, you cannot have success without failure.
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