Years ago, when I was going through a difficult period in my life I decided to make a list. A list of 50 things that I wanted to do before my time was up. This weekend was a good weekend, because this weekend my list got shorter. My 6 six year quest to become a Momar champion has finally been realized and in the words of John Cougar Mellancamp "It hurt so good"
The race was tough. Race director Bryan Tasaka has already called it "The Hardest Momar Yet" The race was designed by adventure race legend Jen Segger-Gigg, who's course reflects her no-nonsense, tough it out style of racing. Starting at the recently constructed Squamish Quest University, the course began with a 1.5km Lemans style start. Past champs, Norm Thibault, Jason Sandquist, Gary Robbins and Todd Nowack set the brisk pace. Following a quick bike transition my race partner Jeff Riemer and I, most comfortable on the bikes, took the lead into the next transition where we were handed new maps for the navigation/orienteering stage. After our fiasco 2 weeks earlier at the Suburban Rush where we lost 15 minutes to Gary and Todd, of Helly/Momar on the navigation stage, we conceded to Todd's dominant orienteering skills and decided our best strategy was to try to follow our Helly Hansen brethren. Defending 3 concurrent titles, Todd and Gary were having none of it. With a pack of 7 racers watching the defending champs every move the pair slipped into the woods and literally vanished. Jeff and I attempted to follow, but ended up walking in circles, wondering where our copy cat strategy had gone wrong. Realizing that we were going to have to think for ourselves we set off half lost down the trail, before we could get into toom much trouble we ran into Bart Jamula, a strong navigator, and with a few tips and some crazy bushwacking, we emerged from the stage only 5 minutes behind Helly/Momar in 3rd place. With a return to the mountain bikes we were in good spirits. Personally I was little worried as the steep terrain of the navigation stage had really taken a toll on my legs.
After 20 minutes of climbing on the bike, we were rewarded with some great downhill singletrack. The "Powerhouse plunge" rocked, recent trail maintenance has left it in amazing shape. I felt great, we quickly moved into 2nd place and caught Helly/Momar in crumpet woods. At the next transition we donned our runners yet again and trekked off toward the rappel with Gary and Todd in chase. Reaching the rappel together, Jeff and I were blessed with some good luck, as our rope was a little faster. Capitalizing on our quick rappel, we dropped the hammer and pushed hard on the 3km trail run back to the bikes. The effort all but buried me, in the excitement of the duel, I had neglected my water stores, and was beginning to suffer the consequences of dehydration with cramping starting in my calves, quads, and hamstrings. Jeff remained strong, and continued to push the pace on the remaining km's of the bike. Nearly missing a crucial junction, I was close to panic. With my head buried in suffering I yelled to Jeff, "We need to make sure we know where we're going" He stopped, took out the map and beckoned me to share in the navigation duties. Now slurring, fighting cramping legs, and clearly at the end of my tether, I yelled at him, "Find out where the hell we are, where we need to go and don't make any mistakes." Clearly the teacher in me coming out, I can only imagine what he was thinking. 2km later we approached the University, rounded the corner to where the race started only to find the street deserted. I was dreading that we'd blown it. Fortunately Jeff spotted a couple volunteers further up the hill. Completely scribbled at this point, with almost no patience I cursed Bryan and Jen under my breath as we were forced to once again drop our bikes and run to the top of the hill. With Gary and Todd safely behind up and the finish line finally in sight, I started to finally relax and enjoy the moment. After congratulating Jeff with a "way to gay" hug, I tried to hide how terrible I was feeling. Dehydration is a bitch, and my stomach was a mess. Still it was worth it. My superstar wife Carey 5 months pregnant with twin boys was there to greet and congratulate us. After having won the solo category last year, she decided to make the trip over from Nanaimo and volunteered all day at the first transition. She's a rockstar.
It was a great day for Helly Hansen sponsored teams, in addition to Team Helly Hansen Vancouver Island/Steed Cycles and Team Helly/Momar taking the top two spots overall,
Kristenn Magnusson, and Bobbie Taylor our Helly Hansen Vancouver Island sisters also finished in 1st place for the team of two women. Check out their racereport at www.teamvancouverisland.blogspot.com
Bryan Tasaka once again pulled off another amazing event. The banquet and after party was amazing. Dave Norona was great on the mic. Huge thanks to all the amazing volunteers and sponsors. It was great to have Steed Cycles come on board this year as a series sponsor and I'm looking forward to picking up my new SRAM/RockShox equipped Giants from the shop in a couple of weeks.
Time to take a step back from Adventure racing and focus on the bike, with Test of Metal and BC Bike Race rapidly approaching. JMAR OUT
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