Roadtrip:
It began on a beautiful fall morning...well actually it was grey and rain chased us from KC down to Fayetteville, AR. Louis and I survived the first leg of the roadtrip with only one instance of missed exit and near fatal sideswipe. Megan joined us from there. We traded off driving, studying and sleeping while anxiously anticipating the race ahead. The fall colors abounded and the further south traveled the more vibrant they appeared. We, of course, had to stop for some BBQ in memphis on our way through. Interstate BBQ has some of the best brisket, pork and BBQ spagetti I've tasted! We then pushed all the way to the Nashville suburbs before packing in for the night. The second day we made good time, but lost and hour transitioning to the eastern timezone. We arrived in Blue Ridge, GA around 2:30pm after a short google maps detour up an amazing backcountry driveway. After checking in at the hotel, we found our way into the quaint mountain downtown to check in with race officials.
Check-in:
Banners surrounded the local art center and we were permitted the opportunity to view some great artwork while being shuffled through the line of awaiting race teams. We snagged some great swag from sponsors such as merrel, zanfel, nuun and others. All in all, we were getting pumped! We were then tolded to follow directions to the bike drop (Back in Tennessee!). We left our bikes, helmets, and extra gatorade with race volunteers just up the road from the Ocoee Whitewater Center, realizing we would be paddling down to get them later...
Pre-Race:
We had only enough time to dump the rest of our gear at the hotel before sprinting off to the prerace meeting. It was held at the local highschool performing art building. It was here we picked up our first groupies. A few of the race volunteers noticed us wearing the team jerseys and told us that we needed to provide them with extra ones. Later, one of them called us "[her] team." In the meeting we learned about the local wildlife, weather, and how to use the electronic punch system (dipper). Then we were given our maps and infomation packets with strict instructions not to be late in the morning (5:45) or else. We grabbed some pasta to go and Megan & I began plotting the coordinates, while Louis started packing. Only problem...a doctor named House (more on this later). Lights out around midnight...
Go time:
...4:15. Finish packing, eat, dress, stretch, get downtown. It's dark, cold, and crowded as we arrive at the park square, but we pass the scenic rail train as it is preparing for the day. hmmm. Anouncements are made, and yes we will be riding the train! We loaded up and left the tardy teams behind (6-7 miles down the road) for a 7am start near the river. The sea of racers burst forward at the sound of the shotgun start. We had 3 prologue CPs (2-3 miles) before we reached CP1 and the boat put in. We started and stayed midpack most of this early section, but were blown away by the speed of the podium contenders! The next five hours found us jockeying for spots through rapids and around dams for about 15 miles. We high centered several times, but never dumped. Just as we took out, though, it started to sprinkle. We confirmed that there were 15-20 teams behind us and then began the drudgery of carrying the whale-sized, fiberglass Old Town 3/4mile uphill. By the time we actually dropped the canoe, the rain was mounting for a full on shower. We ended up passing two teams during the next section on foot, only to be passed 7 miles in when I was treating wet, blistering feet. We soon regained ground as we instituted our tow system helping me keep as faster pace during the last mile and half to the bike transition. Ahh...the bikes. This was by far the toughest/longest section of the race and most of it was completed after dark. We made our way to the first of many wheeled CPs quickly, but that was the beginning of the end. After spending over an hour and a half looking for the next check point, we moved on. We began to make good time again, and then we took a wrong turn (we didn't know it at the time) and made even better time on an awesome downhill trail of sweet curvedness. When we came across pavement, we realized our mistake and began the extra 7-10 miles of nearly all uphill riding. It was at this point that Louis first started having leg cramps and we were subjected to hike-a-bike on much more than a 5-10% grade. We took a short food break in sopping wet gear (it had been raining non-stop for several hours at this point) until another directional dysfunctional team came across our path. We learn, however, that thanks to Dr. House (TV induced plotting) we had mismarked 2 of the CPs, one of which we thought we had already passed. This news both disappointed and reinvigorated us to get moving again as did the chill from the wet & cold. We leap-frogged back and forth with this team from Texas gathering four more CPs, more cramps, frustration, and exhaustion. As a team, we reached a point where we realized in order for us to cross the finish line together we needed to shorten the course. And we did. Starting around 1am we took backroads and county highways back to the beloved Blue Ridge city square. Together, the three of us hobble up the Art Center steps and across the finish line at just after 3:30am. We smiled for the camera, put on dry socks, downed some pop and candy, and eventually made it to the Waffle House to ease the cravings for biscuits & gravy.
Recovery:
Man did that breakfast hit the spot. We barely made it back to the hotel, before collapsing in a heap of sleep for several hours. Later that afternoon we went out one the town before enjoying yet another frigid race experience. The post-race celebration was in an outdoor house stable and training facility! But...they had heaters, fire, and warm fleece blankets as well as formerly American brew to warm us. It was a nice dinner and a great opportunity to meet other racers and teams (shout out to Berlin Bikes & Team Fortitude). Congrats to the winners, but early to bed and early to rise because we had a 16 hour push of driving the next day. The return travels were fast and everyone seemed excited to continue our efforts as a competitive midwest AR team into next season. From what I can tell, I am the only member of the Torti with a lingering injury which will hopefully be healed soon.
To recap: We qualified and competed at USARA Nationals, finishing 52nd out of 70 teams in our division. We raced for over 20 hours and about 70 miles of mountainess terrain with approximate milage splits of 15 miles of paddling, 10 miles of running/trekking, and 45 miles of biking (1/3 of which was hike-a-bike). And yes...we loved it!
Sorry this took so long to post, but feel free to ask/talk to us more about our adventure! We would love to share the gory details. Peace.
