Righting a Wrong...

I seldom suffer from post-race depression.  In fact I may have never suffered from it.  The City Chase has come perilously close to plunging me into a sad state as I contemplate going 360 days until the next one.

Maybe it was partially the cameras...  I sort of understand why people cry when they get booted off of reality shows now.  It's pretty fun to be the star.  It makes your whole life seem just a bit more interesting.  Don't ask me why that camera crew isn't still following me...  you should see how exciting it is to watch me type!

On the other hand, I think it was the City Chase itself.  Cameras don't explain why Mark and I are seriously discussing competing in Montreal in July...

Anyway, in our agonizing effort to put the experience behind us (or drag it out just a bit longer... you decide), we concluded that we needed to right a wrong that we committed on race day.  

Stealing bottles from the homeless man/woman (?) definitely scored low on the ethical scale.  Mark at least suggested that we leave money, which to my dismay I responded with "Can we return that Ketchup bottle?!")

Here we were yesterday making amends.  Hopefully all bad karmic energy has been balanced by this...

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Mitsubishi City Chase - Race Report

City Chase Explained (from the website)

The City Chase is a unique urban adventure that requires participants to exhibit teamwork, resourcefulness, determination and the ability to make decisions on the fly as they search for ChasePoints scattered in unknown locations throughout the city. ChasePoints are designed to test teams with a variety of physical, mental, and otherwise adventurous challenges.

To conquer this 4-6 hour urban event, 2-person teams will run, walk and use public transit to navigate their way throughout the city, while calling family and friends for help, accessing the Internet, and even employing assistance of total strangers. The first team to complete the required ChasePoints and cross the finish line WINS!

Team Last Minute - Race Report

Team Members:  Mark Vaughan, Meyrick Jones

Chase Points Reached: 10

Total Time: Approx. 3:29:00

Place: 17 out of 289 teams

                                                    Mark and I hanging out at the finish line

To tell you all about our race would take A LOT of writing...  the nature of the race (10 checkpoints and the journeys between them) and the fact that we had a camera crew with us made for so many stories that it would take way too long.  I find it incredibly interesting - though I fear you may not...

I have tried to summarize to give you an idea of how the day went:

Ten Chase Points

1. Get blood type test at Canadian Blood Services. (Mine AB, Mark O-) - then had to have a Tarantula crawl across my stomach and eat a mealworm.  No problems.

2. Direct Mark through the Maze at Van Dusen Gardens.  Was Easy.

3. Toss a quarter into one of three beer mugs from about 5'.  Partner walks on stilts around a course (short if you hit the right mug, long if you hit the wrong mug.)  I hit the short course mug and Mark walks well on stilts.

4 +5.  Go to G.A.P. Adventures on 4th Ave.  Get one Chase Point for having raised $50 for Right to Play.  The other chase point is a search for three cars with clues in a six block zone, unscramble the clues.  We made friends and got the answer from some nice folks in about 10 seconds.  (This is allowed by the way.)

6.  Return 20 bottles to the West Side Recycling Station - we had been collecting for a while, got about 10 at a Subway, rooted through some garbage cans...  returned them.  Easy.

7.  Go to Jericho Sailing Centre and paddle a Paddleboard out around a buoy (maybe 30 metres out and 30 back).  Mark rocked it.

8. Go to the Ropes Course at UBC.  I did the "Leap of Faith" - climbed about 80 feet up a tree, leapt off a platform, grabbed a rope and rang a bell.  All roped in - easy and pretty fun.  Then we both had to do a low ropes course - basically walking a tightrope and passing each other in the middle - WAY harder than the high rope...  but we nailed it first time.

9. Thunderbird Stadium.  Mark put on football gear did an obstacle course, tagged me and I nailed a fieldgoal (1st try!)  

10.  Back to the UBC Aquatic Centre.  Roll a pair of dice (7), double it (14) and jump that many metres as a team.  So I jumped off the 10 metre, and Mark jumped off the 5 metre platform.

Chase Point Summary:  They were pretty easy but offered a nice variety of things and a few 'thrills'.  My favourite parts:  The 10 metre platform, the leap of faith and my majestic field goal.  Mark rocking the paddleboard was awesome too because it looked pretty tough.

Strategy Summary:  This is where the game is won and lost in my opinion.  The points aren't too tough so it all comes down to how fast your route is...  We got off to a great start and made one terrible mistake that I am sure cost us at least 30-45 minutes - we missed the free car ride from the blood challenge to Granville Island (for another checkpoint)...  instead Mark and I ran about 6 or 7 minutes uphill to Van Dusen Gardens and then back to Oak (oops, should have gone to Granville) and waited for a bus for about 8 minutes on Oak and then ran a further distance to the Molson challenge...  ouch!  And even though the car was random and you couldn't guarantee catching it - we know we could have caught it because we were the second team to the blood challenge (the car took two teams.)  That was our BIG MISTAKE because instead of being dropped at the doorstep of the Granville Island Challenge we did all that running and still had to go to another "Mandatory" stop (the mega run into Jericho and out again.) That cost us the race.  But, that is the race... so no use crying about it.

Physical Challenge Summary:  We probably ran about 10-12 km.  Way further than I expected (and way further than we should have...)  We had a few 'all out' two block sprints to catch buses.  Longest run was into Jericho Sailing Centre from Broadway... and back out.  Fitness definitely makes a difference in this race though it is no substitute for a great route strategy.

Questionable Ethics:  We 'stole' 2 bottles from a shopping cart 'home.'  At the time I was rabidly searching for bottles anywhere they could be found... now, after it is all said and done, I do feel a bit bad about stealing from the homeless.  (I know that part will end up on TV.)

Embarrassing TV Moment:  Apart from stealing from the homeless.... it had to be getting my shorts caught on a fence and wiping out.  Oh well...  I can always hope that bit of footage hits the cutting room floor...  yeah right!

Proudest Moment:  Nailing the Field Goal.  It was beautiful...  Unfortunately we had temporarily lost the camera crew.  When we went back later with the crew to "get the shot" I hit it again a few times but never with the same authority.

                                   Couldn't recreate that moment for the cameras.... Damn!

Scariest Moment:  I didn't expect to ever be scared during the race - and I wasn't.  But after the race, during the 'pick-ups' with the camera crew, they asked me to do a crazy horizontal cable ladder rope challenge that was 1000% harder than the Leap of Faith.  It definitely gave me pause...  balancing on a cable-strung, ladder rung with my running leg is not a solid feeling at 80 feet.  Even roped in it was nerve-wracking (the camera didn't help a whole lot.)

Team Summary: Mark was awesome. He gave it everything he had and ran his ass off. I think he was pushed beyond his comfort zone a few times and never complained. He also had us so dialed in with computer experts, maps and everything else. Great partner!

Race Summary:  This race is really a blast!  I can't convey it enough in writing.  If you get the chance call a friend (maybe not a spouse) and register.  It is awesome.  I am making this one an annual event and I am going to be SERIOUSLY motivated next year.  I felt we were really close even with the stupid mistake.  There is something about getting the brain involved with the body in a race that makes winning and losing a bit more personal....

Thank You's:  Mark for the idea and all the hard work.  Jeff, Tanya and Seela for backing us up on the computers.  The CBC for picking us for the cameras - what a blast that was!  Innovative Fitness for allowing us to film in the gym and getting us fighting fit.  Sacha for letting me do this stuff when she is due in 12 days.  The Homeless man whose bottles I stole - Mark was right we should have left money.  

Our camera and sound guy...  nice guys.  This was hours after the race going back to Queen E. Park for 'pick-ups'.

                                   Our Crew's director Jill, Camera guy, me, and sound guy

                         Seela was one of our team on the computers.  Also our UBC expert.

Coming home on the bus from UBC.  Do you watch The Office?  Spot Dwight Shrute...  Pretty intense.

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Tomorrow we race...

Well, I burnt through the week with no posts....  but for good reason.  It has been extremely busy the last few days.

We have been unpacking and settling into our house (though we haven't slept there yet.)  The job is pretty big because we have tonnes of junk to sort through.  I hate moving a lot.  I have dropped a ball or two dealing with this move (if I haven't returned an email or two please forgive me!)

And the other thing that has kept me busy has been the approach of the City Chase.  I think I mentioned that Mark and I were chosen to be one of the teams that does the race with a camera crew in tow...  This week we have done on-camera interviews, shot footage to be spliced in with the race and fielded several long phone calls from producers and directors.  Along with that we have been prepping for the race....  We have special maps printed, we have scouted likely locations and brainstormed routes, challenges, gear lists etc.  We are VERY well prepared (I think).  It is a very different feeling to be going into a race where you have no idea what you will be doing.  Quite a change from skiing and triathlon.  The preparations have us feeling quite ready to rock and do well.... this is good because it would suck to make fools of ourselves on National TV.

Next week it is back to triathlon and 'real' racing....  The North Shore Spring Triathlon with my buddy Justin Levine.

Look for a City Chase race report and some cool photos tomorrow or Sunday.  

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Three Topic Post

Topic Number #1

My workout at the Callaghan Valley today.  I really didn't want to do it.  I also had every excuse one could dream about with which to bail (wife due in 18 days, house move yesterday, big triathlon in one month etc.)  I was really hating the idea of going up to the Callaghan - to me the ski season is over and this was not a good fit for me mentally.  My mind was SCREAMING Bail, Bail!

I knew that if I was serious about my goal of making it to the National Team and on to the Paralympics in 2010 I HAD TO GO.  I had a National Team Coach invite me personally... and my goal is to get on the National Team.

Anyway, I went.  I dragged myself up there (kind of hating the idea) with the plan to "do my time" and get the hell out.  No offense to anyone there - I just wasn't into it.  

I got out there on the skis.  A little rusty after 5 weeks off...  But, you know, I was kind of enjoying the sensation - the altitude, the heart pounding work, the sunshine and warm weather.

Then I met up with Robin, he coached me on and off for a couple of hours and shot some video of me skiing.  Robin competed at the Olympics in Nagano and also guides his visually impaired brother Brian.  Brian is following in his brother's Olympic footsteps and looks to be set to compete as an able-bodied skier at the Olympics in 2010 - even though he is mostly BLIND!  That, my friends , is pretty incredible... 

Anyway, Robin supplied me with two absolutely stellar tips (and a bunch of other great ones that I will be working on for a while) which have already made me a FAR better skier.  I also felt pretty excited about it again.  He is a great coach and a really good guy.

The ski session ended and I packed up and hit the road - I was PUMPED!  These are the sessions where you make the biggest gains.  The ones that challenge you - mentally.  When you stare down the barrel of weakness (wanting to bail, and wanting to make excuses) and you somehow find a way to overcome the urge and get out there, you have exercised the most important muscle of all - your will!  

I am still glowing from the session... literally (see Topic #3)

Topic Number 2

Mitsubishi City Chase Update - Mark and I "passed" the screen test...  We are going to be the "stars" of a reality TV show production focused on the race.  Exciting and slightly nerve-wracking!  Should be a lot of fun....

Topic Number 3

Why didn't I put sunscreen on today?  I have a shaved head, it was sunny and hot, I was skiing, AND I am going to be on TV in a few days....  Hilarious, one day after the "screen test" I change my skin tone by about forty shades, from 'white' to 'tomato'...  I hope they have a good make-up person....

P.S.  I've been bad with the photos lately....  I have some good ones but my computer stuff is all in a box somewhere...  no card reader.  Will load some up soon...

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Training Update

I am back at the training after two bouts of illness...  the bronchitis is mostly gone - just a little coughing now...

Tomorrow I am skiing.  Yes, it's true - in May - there is still lots of snow in the Callaghan Valley.  Robin McKeever (a National Team coach) has invited me up for some coaching and training.  I am quite excited to be invited (said the Cat in the Hat)...  it is, however, an extremely hectic time with the move today and a baby due in 18 days.  I will be skiing with a phone in my pocket and the car idling...

Training Week

Monday:  Ski AM - R. McKeever @ Callaghan  

Tuesday:  Ski AM - R. McKeever @ Callaghan

Wednesday:  Swim AM, Strength PM - Innovative Fitness, Ride PM

Thursday: Brick - Bike/Run

Friday: Swim AM, IF PM

Saturday:  City Chase (I expect some running but who knows how much...)

Sunday:  Mother's Day - Pamper the wife....

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Home Front: Report

Today we hired Smoother Movers to move us back into our house after approx. 18 months of renovations.  

Not that the renos are finished... no siree... just finished enough to move back.  And not a moment too soon with Baby #3 due to arrive in LESS THAN 3 WEEKS!!!!  We will not be residing there for another day or two but should be settled by mid-week.

In other stress-relieving news we have come up with a name for the new child (a boy)....  Here is your hint:  _ _ _ _ _ .  If you get it right I'll be quite surprised...

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Mitsubishi City Chase

The next event on my schedule is the Mitsubishi City Chase.  It will take place on May 10 (next Saturday).

This is a team event and I will be competing with Mark Vaughan - together we are TEAM LAST MINUTE - referring to when we registered.  Mark is a good friend that I introduced to the joys of swim, bike, run last year.

This race is quite unlike the stuff I usually do....  this one is a lot like the Amazing Race.  I am completely surprised by how excited I am to do it.  Mark and I have been talking strategy  and I think the 'team' aspect is a nice change to my usual races.  We will have a team of three computer-whizzes on speed dial to help us break down clues, figure out routes and generally provide Bat-Cave style backup...  We have mobile internet on our blackberries, GPS... you name it - we are ready to rock.

To provide an even higher level of intrigue, we have also been shortlisted, interviewed and screen-tested to be on the CBC Sports production of the race as one of the profiled teams that does the race with a camera crew in tow.  

If chosen, the producer encouraged us to provide 'drama' by essentially freaking out at each other (or other teams) when possible...  here's hoping we won't be fulfilling that request.  It has occurred to both of us that by televising our race we enhance our chances of embarrassing ourselves by a bajillion %...  So why do it?  Why not?  We are in this to have a blast and a new experience - we might as well do it on film and laugh hard at ourselves later.  Of course, we may not get picked...

Regardless, I believe Team Last Minute will be a potent mixture of brains and brawn, speed and skill, morals and ruthlessness.  All in all it should be pretty fun. 

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