The last of its kind Race to Sunset was held just a week before the XTERRA East Championship on June 6, 2014. Initially my plan was to enter in the 5 hour solo race only to drop out halfway or when my mileage and/or effort level met the needs for the day. Then, just a day before the race, some friends from Aberdeen, SD approached me if I was interested in taking part in the 10 hour relay event. Who can say no to that?
It rained a lot on Thursday and Friday so the course's condition was a big question mark. Luckily for us Saturday turned to be a hot and sunny day so an hour delay in the morning provided adequate time for the trails to dry off.
I had the privilege to start the race with back to back laps. The nearly 18 minute laps turned out to be my slowest for the day I brought the relay in first place though our lead was shoet lived. Kevin Bjerke, Craig Harrison and I then alternated laps during the entire race. I put in a couple of back to back laps while I payed close attention to my heart rate not to jump in the red zone since the day's original workout was supposed to be a zone 2 and around a 2.5 hour ride.
I don't have to say that the whole event was a blast. For once its always better to ride in groups so its too bad I do 99% of my workouts by myself. We couldn't complain about the weather either. Then there was that healthy competition that went on between Ian Easton, Tyler Huber (who by the way was riding a single speed Ritchey) for the fastest single lap. Though by only mere seconds I claimed that title with a 16:53 lap to Ian's16:58.
Team Molnar, as our three-person relay team was named, ended up in second place behind the local warriors' Team BCBC.
I ended up riding nearly 50 miles amd 3.5 hours which was about 50% more than planned and also at a higher intensity.
Last year, though I didn't get a chance to ride due to the race having canceled at the 1pm 5 hour start time as a result of a torrential rain and unrideable trail conditions, I was lucky enough to take home a few items at the raffle. I wasn't so lucky this year and the $10 Buffalo Wild Wings gift card for second place team didn't reach too far either when I took my wife out for a delicious dinner. Note to self: BWW doesn't have the same feel to it anymore without buddies to drink with.
If I am in town next year I will sure check out the new race format that features a 26 mile and a 52 mile mtb race around the awesome trails of Harmon Lake.
Ride On!
It rained a lot on Thursday and Friday so the course's condition was a big question mark. Luckily for us Saturday turned to be a hot and sunny day so an hour delay in the morning provided adequate time for the trails to dry off.
I had the privilege to start the race with back to back laps. The nearly 18 minute laps turned out to be my slowest for the day I brought the relay in first place though our lead was shoet lived. Kevin Bjerke, Craig Harrison and I then alternated laps during the entire race. I put in a couple of back to back laps while I payed close attention to my heart rate not to jump in the red zone since the day's original workout was supposed to be a zone 2 and around a 2.5 hour ride.
I don't have to say that the whole event was a blast. For once its always better to ride in groups so its too bad I do 99% of my workouts by myself. We couldn't complain about the weather either. Then there was that healthy competition that went on between Ian Easton, Tyler Huber (who by the way was riding a single speed Ritchey) for the fastest single lap. Though by only mere seconds I claimed that title with a 16:53 lap to Ian's16:58.
Team Molnar, as our three-person relay team was named, ended up in second place behind the local warriors' Team BCBC.
I ended up riding nearly 50 miles amd 3.5 hours which was about 50% more than planned and also at a higher intensity.
Last year, though I didn't get a chance to ride due to the race having canceled at the 1pm 5 hour start time as a result of a torrential rain and unrideable trail conditions, I was lucky enough to take home a few items at the raffle. I wasn't so lucky this year and the $10 Buffalo Wild Wings gift card for second place team didn't reach too far either when I took my wife out for a delicious dinner. Note to self: BWW doesn't have the same feel to it anymore without buddies to drink with.
If I am in town next year I will sure check out the new race format that features a 26 mile and a 52 mile mtb race around the awesome trails of Harmon Lake.
Ride On!
Craig Harrison of Aberdeen, SD in action
Team Thunderbird at the Relay for Life event. I took short breaks between riding two laps to fulfill other duties..
Kevin Bjerke (Aberdeen, SD) crushing it during one of his many laps..
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