Teammates Megan Matty and Andy Brazle are gettin' hitched today!
Real photos to come...
10.10.2009
9.17.2009
9.14.2009
Nationals Training Race
The qualifier team (Megan, Tyler, Fletcher) are heading down to Little Rock, AR this weekend for a final preparatory race before nationals. Raid the Rock. This race has a good reputation for being a challenging mid-length course (~40miles) and we are looking forward to it. There is a deep field with some very tough teams, so we'll see how we do. Megan has the captain's duties for this race, and with her fiance Andy and another crew member Chris (supported race!), we should have a great race! The plan is to update the Facebook fan page & twitter via text messages of our progress throughout. Wish us luck!Website is up!
We're slowing getting the site up so you can follow the team better. It has info on our background, race history, contact info, as well as links to photos, merchandise, and of course this blog. Coming soon are interactive bios of the racers, and slideshows of the team. Sponsors will be updated as they are obtained. Thanks and happy racing!
www.teamtorti.com
www.teamtorti.com
New Sponsor!!
Dr. Jesse Walden over at Quest Performance Center is the most recent sponsor of Team Torti! Check him out for all your sports therapy/rehabilitation. He is trained and licensed in both chiropractic and active release therapy.
http://www.questperformancecenter.com/
http://www.questperformancecenter.com/
8.28.2009
Torti Photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teamtorti/
A lot of these photos are on the blog, but from now on here is where all Torti documented activity will be archived. Soon to be link accessible from the website!
A lot of these photos are on the blog, but from now on here is where all Torti documented activity will be archived. Soon to be link accessible from the website!
Ten Tired Turtles
Big T...little t
What begins with T?
Ten tired turtles in a tuttle tuttle tree!
Thanks to the guys at worth1000.com for having this available.
Hopefully I will have the Seuss orignal up soon!
8.14.2009
Lucky New Jerseys...
Time to catch up again. Jerseys are in and look great! But not only do we now look stylish, we win events.
We, of course, came up the night before for meeting, maps, etc. Doing the ritual plotting exercise that has become second nature (Nikki's first time), we strategized our best route and approximate distances. All this while being documented by Tyler.
Next morning (4am) we awoke, dressed and dropped bikes at their designated location before ariving at the percieved starting line, Hitchcock Nature Park. It seems to be a common theme this season to bus racers to another starting point to throw them off. It happened again.
Believe it or not, we made up a lot of time on the water. The canoe seat and kayak paddles made a huge difference! After catching 6 or 7 teams on the 10 mile float down the Muddy MO, we transitions fairly quickly to the urban orienteering section. These CPs were easy and designed as such, but still 100 degrees in the city is even hotter. We stopped at the host hotel for fluids (mmm...Pepsi). We caught up with several more teams during this leg and were making up time on the deep field.
L&C was the trails section. And given fresh legs and cooler temps, it would have been a blast. They were fast, windy, hilly trails and before the end we needed a break to cool down. We stopped at and overlook in the shade and took in the view and breeze. When we had finished this section, we had overcome another 3 or 4 teams, but we didn't know how much longer we could make it in the heat. After a half hour cool down, we headed on making our route decision point-to-point. Things got rough between CP 21 and CP22 and we almost turned for the finish line, but through positive interaction with another team and an awesome local (who provide us cold bottled water), we pushed on. We crossed the finish line sans CP24 (the one furthest out of the way) in 12 hours and forty minutes. 1st place 3 person coed! (6th overall)
Tyler, Nikki, and I went up to Omaha for the inaugural Wild Hares 12hr last Saturday (aug. 8th) for a brutal pounding in the heat. With temps in the triple digits and nothing but sun, all the teams struggled to keep down their cheerios during the race.
We, of course, came up the night before for meeting, maps, etc. Doing the ritual plotting exercise that has become second nature (Nikki's first time), we strategized our best route and approximate distances. All this while being documented by Tyler.
Next morning (4am) we awoke, dressed and dropped bikes at their designated location before ariving at the percieved starting line, Hitchcock Nature Park. It seems to be a common theme this season to bus racers to another starting point to throw them off. It happened again.
We began the race on foot at Dodge State Park along the Missouri River. It was an seven point orienteering section that was about 10 miles. We started in first, but were gradually overtaken by the Proformance teams. A second guess later (& poor map reading) had us finish this section as last on the water.
Believe it or not, we made up a lot of time on the water. The canoe seat and kayak paddles made a huge difference! After catching 6 or 7 teams on the 10 mile float down the Muddy MO, we transitions fairly quickly to the urban orienteering section. These CPs were easy and designed as such, but still 100 degrees in the city is even hotter. We stopped at the host hotel for fluids (mmm...Pepsi). We caught up with several more teams during this leg and were making up time on the deep field.
The rest of the race was to be on bike. We headed up the levee and under the highway via drain pipes. This is when we stumbled upon the first of several sick teams. But, the RD was waiting on the other side of the highway with icewater! We quickly made our way to Lewis and Clark State Park. By the way, we were in Iowa at this point!
L&C was the trails section. And given fresh legs and cooler temps, it would have been a blast. They were fast, windy, hilly trails and before the end we needed a break to cool down. We stopped at and overlook in the shade and took in the view and breeze. When we had finished this section, we had overcome another 3 or 4 teams, but we didn't know how much longer we could make it in the heat. After a half hour cool down, we headed on making our route decision point-to-point. Things got rough between CP 21 and CP22 and we almost turned for the finish line, but through positive interaction with another team and an awesome local (who provide us cold bottled water), we pushed on. We crossed the finish line sans CP24 (the one furthest out of the way) in 12 hours and forty minutes. 1st place 3 person coed! (6th overall)
Munchies, awards, hose showers, and a 3 hour drive back to KC followed.
7.29.2009
One Hundred Days and Counting...
It's 100 days until Nationals and I/we have so much more training and racing to do in the mean time. Next up Wild Hares 12hr on August 8th!
7.17.2009
Top 20!!!
As of today, Team Torti is ranked 20th in the nation! http://www.usara.com/current_rankings.aspx
Lots of racing left, how long do you think we can stay there?
Any sponsors want to help?
Lots of racing left, how long do you think we can stay there?
Any sponsors want to help?
7.14.2009
7.13.2009
Other big news from this Spring/Summer
- Jake & Jessica Larsen had a little boy (Jack) in May
- Megan is now engaged (late June) to longtime boyfriend Andy Brazle
- We have new/prospective teammates Nikki Gillen & Chris Stauffer
Were not in Kansas anymore...just Nebraska
After many hours and calls, I finally filled the roster for the Run, Row, and Roll less than 10 days from the race. An up and coming race director and fellow Kansan, Charmion Harris joined Jake and I for the duration of the course. She was planning on sitting this race out after finding out that it was three member teams only, but she gladly filled our hole and challenged her team to "keep up."
June 19th
2:30pm - lonely drive up Missouri and across Nebraska (no phone reception)
6pm - met up with Jake at race HQ and got race packet(s)
6:30pm - got Subway (seems to be a race tradition)
7pm -plotted map and organized gear
8pm - drove part of course
10ish - bed
June 20th
5:15am - rise and shine
6am - bike drop
7:30am - prerace meeting
8am - start
We began this race with a mysterious "red neck subway" (horsetrailer) ride to the start. We exited in mass to a 3-4 mile run to our first "challenge." Build a raft from innertubes and a 2x4 ladder that matched a diagram. With that successfully done, we took two paddles and floated/walked it ~1.5 miles down the Little Blue River. After loading the "raft" back into another trailer we ran another half mile to the bike transition. We picked some time and spots during this first wheeled section. But the flat and rolling hills, pavement and gravel quickly became dirt and grass tracks into canyons you wouldn't expect to find in the Midwest (especially Nebraska). I think the barefoot running through the river caught up with me, because hike and bike with my cleats caused some wild calf/achilles cramps. Also the wet sand started chewing my feet up pretty bad. Oh well, no pain... Anyway, the other team events were fun (archery, stationary calf roping, mud plinko) as well. We continued on throughout our difficulties and the rain, having an awesome trekking section. One more long ride, and a total of just under 9 hours later we finished to a BBQ sandwich meal! Yum!
I was so brain dead after this race though, that I left my bike shoes at the finishe line. Thankfully, Jim Craig (angry cow adventures owner) got them back to me quickly (and clean!).
Before and after with Jake, Charmion & the Lake Adventures crew.
7.07.2009
"We're on a MISSION from God"
Mission AR...that is.
Tyler, Megan, & I successfully endured another qualifying race.
Here is the race rundown...
-Friday we arrived just in time for meal & meeting (timezone change - oops!)
-Cheap and gimpy TA tent (good times - ask anyone of us)
-No prerace strategy, map, or coords. (maps were handed out at starting line)
-Began race in Thunderstorm at 6am
-Road muddy singletrack until bikes would no longer roll
-Subsequent brake problems from mud (Megan's back brakes went out - ask her about her raspberry and road rash)
-Missed CP7 because of brain fart (novice plotting mistake)
-Canoed up and down the Ohio (yes, the big river) while towing our bikes in an inflatable raft
-More fast biking (no brakes - reverse towing: Tyler & I were Megan's brakes down a couple big hills)
-High ropes (Megan volunteered to be blindfolded)
-Awesome night trek/orienteering (Powerhiking...nuff said)
-Marinara Meatball sandwiches at midnight (check out that alliteration)
-NO CRAMPS! (I love you e-caps!)
Photos of our fun...
Tyler, Megan, & I successfully endured another qualifying race.
Here is the race rundown...
-Friday we arrived just in time for meal & meeting (timezone change - oops!)
-Cheap and gimpy TA tent (good times - ask anyone of us)
-No prerace strategy, map, or coords. (maps were handed out at starting line)
-Began race in Thunderstorm at 6am
-Road muddy singletrack until bikes would no longer roll
-Subsequent brake problems from mud (Megan's back brakes went out - ask her about her raspberry and road rash)
-Missed CP7 because of brain fart (novice plotting mistake)
-Canoed up and down the Ohio (yes, the big river) while towing our bikes in an inflatable raft
-More fast biking (no brakes - reverse towing: Tyler & I were Megan's brakes down a couple big hills)
-High ropes (Megan volunteered to be blindfolded)
-Awesome night trek/orienteering (Powerhiking...nuff said)
-Marinara Meatball sandwiches at midnight (check out that alliteration)
-NO CRAMPS! (I love you e-caps!)
Photos of our fun...
7.06.2009
A Tale of Two Races - part II
What can only be said of the LBL is ouch!
We knew going into it, that we would be up against some of the toughest competition in the midwest and in some regards U.S. We didn't quite realize, however, the magnitude of the course Jason from BonkHard Racing had in store for us...
Arriving the evening before the race, we (Jake, Tyler, Megan, and Fletcher) checked in at both race and motel, dinned on typical prerace pasta, set up gear, and attended the "meeting." We learned of a provisions drop about 2/3rds of the way through the course, of which we were later very much thankful. Received 2 huge maps and as well as 3 pages of coordinates/notes, and a handful of other helpful warnings.
When then spent the next 3-4hrs plotting and checking coordinates, copying & laminating maps, and packing bags. Post 12am sleepytime. Tommorrow, our first race together as a new team!
Early morning bike drop, breakfast, & potty...We lined up with nearly a hundred other competitors at the start and at 8am, it was go time.
3...2...1...GO!
The race started with a running/trekking section that was 3-5miles and took us to our bikes. We then headed counterclockwise along some of the sweetest singletrack I've seen, before heading over every surface imaginable on our first 35mile+ biking leg.
Midway through this section (about 5hrs into the race) I began having heat cramps in quads which slowed us down considerably. I hyperhydrated, unlayered, and took a couple tows as we pushed through them. We eventually made it to the next TA, and on to another Trekking section (9-10miles).
We make steady and quick work of this trekking section, posting a time only slower than the top 5 teams (without running). Thanks to Google for helping us embelish our maps the night before!
We then entered the lake. With two canoes and a singleblade paddle a piece, it was a fight to make up time against the field (mostly sporting doubleblade kayak padddles). We slowly watched most teams disappear around penisulas as the light gradually faded to night. Just after dark the wind picked up. So much so, that we had to rake our canoes to keep the bow pointed into the waves (2-3' swells). Very Scary!
We survived the 5+ hours on the water (did I mention this was only Tyler's 2nd time canoing?) and got warm by the fire before embarking on another 12-15miles of biking. The cooler temps and extra hydration seemed to have curred me of my cramps, because I flew through this section. We quickly made it to the refueling drop and transitioned for the night orienteering.
This prooved to be a lot harder than we expected, probably due to exhaustion, pain, etc. We struggled to get as many as possible by 6am, so we could push to the end. I think we got half and some chaffing. We then planned a condensed route back to the finish to avoid a few tough hills.
We skipped a checkpoint, but were making great time on bike. Then all of a sudden we were reminded of a couple things mentioned the night before. "There will be several routes, but not all of them have been cleared." We almost instantly hit thick clay/mud roads and a tangle of fallen trees (a major ice-storm had hit this area earlier in the year) that we bike-whacked for several miles until we rejoined the major trail/road system again. Within minutes we met up with teams that had left the TA at the same time as us. So much for a shortcut.
We were pushing hard to the finish, every minute feeling more like we wouldn't make the cutoff. We finally caught a break, finding the paved hike&bike trail and making up some major ground. We were within 5-10miles of the finish with a little over an hour, when we hit trouble again...
Jake's bike hit a large root at just the right angle and nearly through him over the bars. Thankfully he was okay, but the front brakes were completely jammed. We struggled to knife out the brake pads and we cautiously raced to the finish sans some stopping power.
It was a great feeling to know we made it with time to spare (~27hrs & 90+ miles) Baked potatos and sour cream never tasted so good. After loading up bikes and gear, we cleaned up and went for a meal. Gotta love crackerbarrel! And then we pushed all the way back to KC, nearly sleeping at the wheel. What a rush! I'm never doing that again...
We knew going into it, that we would be up against some of the toughest competition in the midwest and in some regards U.S. We didn't quite realize, however, the magnitude of the course Jason from BonkHard Racing had in store for us...
Arriving the evening before the race, we (Jake, Tyler, Megan, and Fletcher) checked in at both race and motel, dinned on typical prerace pasta, set up gear, and attended the "meeting." We learned of a provisions drop about 2/3rds of the way through the course, of which we were later very much thankful. Received 2 huge maps and as well as 3 pages of coordinates/notes, and a handful of other helpful warnings.
When then spent the next 3-4hrs plotting and checking coordinates, copying & laminating maps, and packing bags. Post 12am sleepytime. Tommorrow, our first race together as a new team!
Early morning bike drop, breakfast, & potty...We lined up with nearly a hundred other competitors at the start and at 8am, it was go time.
3...2...1...GO!
The race started with a running/trekking section that was 3-5miles and took us to our bikes. We then headed counterclockwise along some of the sweetest singletrack I've seen, before heading over every surface imaginable on our first 35mile+ biking leg.
Midway through this section (about 5hrs into the race) I began having heat cramps in quads which slowed us down considerably. I hyperhydrated, unlayered, and took a couple tows as we pushed through them. We eventually made it to the next TA, and on to another Trekking section (9-10miles).
We make steady and quick work of this trekking section, posting a time only slower than the top 5 teams (without running). Thanks to Google for helping us embelish our maps the night before!
We then entered the lake. With two canoes and a singleblade paddle a piece, it was a fight to make up time against the field (mostly sporting doubleblade kayak padddles). We slowly watched most teams disappear around penisulas as the light gradually faded to night. Just after dark the wind picked up. So much so, that we had to rake our canoes to keep the bow pointed into the waves (2-3' swells). Very Scary!
We survived the 5+ hours on the water (did I mention this was only Tyler's 2nd time canoing?) and got warm by the fire before embarking on another 12-15miles of biking. The cooler temps and extra hydration seemed to have curred me of my cramps, because I flew through this section. We quickly made it to the refueling drop and transitioned for the night orienteering.
This prooved to be a lot harder than we expected, probably due to exhaustion, pain, etc. We struggled to get as many as possible by 6am, so we could push to the end. I think we got half and some chaffing. We then planned a condensed route back to the finish to avoid a few tough hills.
We skipped a checkpoint, but were making great time on bike. Then all of a sudden we were reminded of a couple things mentioned the night before. "There will be several routes, but not all of them have been cleared." We almost instantly hit thick clay/mud roads and a tangle of fallen trees (a major ice-storm had hit this area earlier in the year) that we bike-whacked for several miles until we rejoined the major trail/road system again. Within minutes we met up with teams that had left the TA at the same time as us. So much for a shortcut.
We were pushing hard to the finish, every minute feeling more like we wouldn't make the cutoff. We finally caught a break, finding the paved hike&bike trail and making up some major ground. We were within 5-10miles of the finish with a little over an hour, when we hit trouble again...
Jake's bike hit a large root at just the right angle and nearly through him over the bars. Thankfully he was okay, but the front brakes were completely jammed. We struggled to knife out the brake pads and we cautiously raced to the finish sans some stopping power.
It was a great feeling to know we made it with time to spare (~27hrs & 90+ miles) Baked potatos and sour cream never tasted so good. After loading up bikes and gear, we cleaned up and went for a meal. Gotta love crackerbarrel! And then we pushed all the way back to KC, nearly sleeping at the wheel. What a rush! I'm never doing that again...
New Stuff Coming...
So...I haven't been able to put words or thoughts down on paper or screen very regularly this spring, but that is about to change. I have a lot announcements to make and new things to share, and before I can do that I need to catch up the race reports from earlier this year. So...I will be posting at least once a day for the next week to try to make up for lost time.
Up next...
A tale of two races cont'd.
Up next...
A tale of two races cont'd.
4.20.2009
A Tale of Two Races
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." -Dickens
This could be said of almost any adventure race, but I find it fitting to recap the last two in which I participated.
The first race of the pair was the Milford Extreme Spring Sprint AR. Now every sprint race prior to this that I have participated in has been in the 3-5hr range. This race was upwards of 6-8 hours for the majority of the field. The teammates that I had gathered for this race were relative newbies to AR and did a fine job of pushing each other to a third place finish. The raceday went down as such:
We arrived and had only minimal time to check-in, stage bikes, pack, and plot coordinates (10 minutes with maps prior to race start).
The race started with a fast 1mile sprint to CP1 and then to the bikes. We took a quick trail into the woods, nabbed this point, and were first on the bikes. Having never raced together before, our pace line into 25 mph headwind was scattered, but we continued to jockey for first through CP2 & Cp3. We were the first to start the orienteering section and headed directly to the climbing tower.
The tower was our first physical challenge as we had to climb ropes up the outside of the structure using mechanical ascenders within the 30 minute time limit. We hadn't attended the training camp, so our knowledge of ropes was less than stellar. I fastened in looser than I should and end up over extended and supremely tired by the time I reached the top. Having learned alot about how to setup the harness system from my near failure, I helped my teammates (Jake, Max, & Julie) get situated.
After our team ropes challenge, we set off on the rest of our orienteering loop. This is where having only mere minutes to plot the CPs cost us...they were slightly off. We searched the shoreline of the lake for quite some time before pulling out the map and replotting. After doing so, we made our way along the cliff line and stumble across the CP. We then dove out of sight of before nearby teams could see. We trekked field and shore to the next 2 CPs and then headed back toward the bike drop. It was about this time that the slight cramps started...
At the bike drop, we were informed of the paddle section in which we needed to collect song titles and bands. This actually proved the hardest section of all. The 25mph winds were by this time even gustier. Between the wind, a broken boat, and some paddling inexperiencce, I am surprised we stayed as dry as we did. That being said Jake, me and the broken boat nearly got capsized as we got banged against the shore.
The exhaustion of the boats (also the long portage) was followed by a final ride to the finish by way of CP6. This was probably my favorite section barrelling down gravel Kansas backroads. We finished with worn out smiles on our faces in 7:38:06. Then after a photo and an apology to our supportive guest (Max's wife), we went for some post race grub (BBQ sandwiches & Beer, mmmm).
This could be said of almost any adventure race, but I find it fitting to recap the last two in which I participated.
The first race of the pair was the Milford Extreme Spring Sprint AR. Now every sprint race prior to this that I have participated in has been in the 3-5hr range. This race was upwards of 6-8 hours for the majority of the field. The teammates that I had gathered for this race were relative newbies to AR and did a fine job of pushing each other to a third place finish. The raceday went down as such:
We arrived and had only minimal time to check-in, stage bikes, pack, and plot coordinates (10 minutes with maps prior to race start).
The race started with a fast 1mile sprint to CP1 and then to the bikes. We took a quick trail into the woods, nabbed this point, and were first on the bikes. Having never raced together before, our pace line into 25 mph headwind was scattered, but we continued to jockey for first through CP2 & Cp3. We were the first to start the orienteering section and headed directly to the climbing tower.
The tower was our first physical challenge as we had to climb ropes up the outside of the structure using mechanical ascenders within the 30 minute time limit. We hadn't attended the training camp, so our knowledge of ropes was less than stellar. I fastened in looser than I should and end up over extended and supremely tired by the time I reached the top. Having learned alot about how to setup the harness system from my near failure, I helped my teammates (Jake, Max, & Julie) get situated.
After our team ropes challenge, we set off on the rest of our orienteering loop. This is where having only mere minutes to plot the CPs cost us...they were slightly off. We searched the shoreline of the lake for quite some time before pulling out the map and replotting. After doing so, we made our way along the cliff line and stumble across the CP. We then dove out of sight of before nearby teams could see. We trekked field and shore to the next 2 CPs and then headed back toward the bike drop. It was about this time that the slight cramps started...
At the bike drop, we were informed of the paddle section in which we needed to collect song titles and bands. This actually proved the hardest section of all. The 25mph winds were by this time even gustier. Between the wind, a broken boat, and some paddling inexperiencce, I am surprised we stayed as dry as we did. That being said Jake, me and the broken boat nearly got capsized as we got banged against the shore.
The exhaustion of the boats (also the long portage) was followed by a final ride to the finish by way of CP6. This was probably my favorite section barrelling down gravel Kansas backroads. We finished with worn out smiles on our faces in 7:38:06. Then after a photo and an apology to our supportive guest (Max's wife), we went for some post race grub (BBQ sandwiches & Beer, mmmm).
Exhausted, but satisfied.
To be continued...
3.17.2009
LBL Team is set!
As of a little over a week ago, we finalized our team for Bonk Hard Racing's Land Between the Lakes Challenge. Megan and myself will be joined by our new team members Jake and Tyler for their first ever 24hr race. Night and distance will be daunting, but even with our relative inexperience, I think we will have a successful go at the course. I see this adventure as a chance to push ourselves and each other to finish as best we can, while bonding our team together for future race opportunities this season!
2.23.2009
Back in the Saddle
Well...it's been awhile.
Since USARA Nationals I have been put through the ringer with physical therapy, the holidays, and many extra hours at work. I struggled regularly with leg (knee/shin) pain and have slowly been reducing this through rest and rehabilitation.
To test the waters, though, I have participated in a few Possum Trot Orienteering events. I took 20th in the SMP Score 'O' without any formal training for nearly 2 months.
I am now on a path to salvage this AR season by ramping up my training and gathering new and addtional teammates. We are registered with the USARA and our first official event of the year is the Milford Lake Spring Sprint on March 22nd. Hopefully with a few more weeks of training and that race behind us, we will be ready for the LBL Challenge.
More regular updates to come...
Since USARA Nationals I have been put through the ringer with physical therapy, the holidays, and many extra hours at work. I struggled regularly with leg (knee/shin) pain and have slowly been reducing this through rest and rehabilitation.
To test the waters, though, I have participated in a few Possum Trot Orienteering events. I took 20th in the SMP Score 'O' without any formal training for nearly 2 months.
I am now on a path to salvage this AR season by ramping up my training and gathering new and addtional teammates. We are registered with the USARA and our first official event of the year is the Milford Lake Spring Sprint on March 22nd. Hopefully with a few more weeks of training and that race behind us, we will be ready for the LBL Challenge.
More regular updates to come...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)