2005 ScheduleThis year’s schedule has been about improvisation. All I knew in January is I’d be back to Leadville seeking my 8th buckle. I also figured on some MMBA mountain bike races and XTERRAs.

Out of the blue comes a low-key race across Iowa — how could I say no? The next surprise announcement was a 100-mile mountain bike race in the Manistee National Forest. That was a must-do event.

I’m just very fortunate that I have the opportunity to jump on these opportunities when they pop up. Next year I may plan my schedule early on and stick with it — naw!

Potawatomi Trail Half-Marathon (Pinckney, Michigan)

My run training went very well through the beginning of April, when I got a shin splint. I took a week off and felt good enough for 13.1 tough off-road trail miles. Bad decision! While finishing a close second in my age-group, I hurt my shin much worse meaning more time off from running. Boo.

24 Hours of Boyne (Boyne Mountain Ski Resort, Michigan)

Originally I’d planned to do this race simply for the training. Twenty-four hours of mountain bike riding can do wonders to ones abilities. However, after the promoter announced the singlespeed winner would go to the World Championships, my focus changed to winning. And that I did by 30 miles. I rode 18 laps (186 miles, 19,000 feet of climbing) in a 34×17 gear. Two solo geared racers beat me so there’s room for improvement.
XTERRA Eastern Championships (Richmond, Virginia)

The shin splint wasn’t kind to my run training and neither were the last minute changes to the Richmond course. The overnight rain caused the river to flood so the swim course was changed, which added a couple more miles of running. Bleeh! I finished a disappointing sixth place in my age-group but the bright side is I didn’t have shin pain.
results

Leadville 100 (Leadville, Colorado)

I finished my first Leadville 100 on a singlespeed. Not having a bunch of gears made this race feel a lot like my first one. Could I make it up the climbs? Could I ride for 100 miles? Fortunately the answers were ‘yes’ and I finished in 9:28. Everyone thinks I was the first singlespeeder across the line, but without having a separate race category, it’s not official.

24 Hour Solo World Championships (Whistler, British Columbia)

After spending some quality time in Vancouver and Washington, we headed north to Whistler. These trails sure are fun, even after 24 hours of riding. I had a fairly good race and hung with leaders until the early morning. I ended up in third place and one lap down on the two leaders.

This year began without many goals for the year except returning to Leadville. Slowly the goals are coming into focus…August brings a return to Leadville but for only the bike race. The goal is to get four more buckles to get the ten-buckle buckle. Last year I had an absolutely crummy race. More stomach issues and not enough training miles ahead of time. I’m in much better shape this year and may try this on a singlespeed.

You can bet I’ll be back on the XTERRA circuit gunning for another Regional Championship title. It’s going to be extra tough in my new age-group with new, superfast competition.

I’ve got a new Kona singlespeed and I figured I’d really test it at the 24 Hours of Boyne race. If I do well, I may qualify for the 24 Hour World Championships near Vancouver, British Columbia.

Potawatomi Trail Marathon (Pinckney, Michigan)

Two 13-mile laps on the hilly Poto trail can be a whole lot of pain. It wasn’t so much the pain this year as it was the lack of water. I made the mistake of relying soley on the aid stations. Still, I was lucky to avoid cramping, a two-time twisted ankle and two falls to win my age-group and take fifth overall. It was my trail marathon P.R. at 3:23:33.

XTERRA Eastern Championships (Richmond, Virginia)

Well, the undefeated streak had to end some time and it did this year. I had a fairly decent race. The lack of a swim (cancelled due to dangerous conditions) and an indexed headset on the bike added to the challenge. I still managed a third-place finish behind two very fast competitors.

MXT Off-Road Ironman (Park City, Utah)

This was the first ever off-road Ironman-distance triathlon! The swim was beautiful as was the first 40 miles of the mountain bike leg. The climbing through the mountains wasn’t too bad and the downhills were a blast. The latter half of the run was pure suffering. The temperatures hit 98F and we rode 60-some miles on an unshaded rail-trail. Still, I hooked up with my Leadville friend Adam and we rode together most of the way. I started the run and my stomach was revolting — it stopped emptying. I couldn’t drink more water without being nauseous. So, I took it easy for most of the marathon and ran slowly when I could to finish 8th overall. I couldn’t have stayed motivated without my parents, girlfriend Karen, and Michigan friends cheering me along.

Leadville 100 (Leadville, Colorado)

More stomach issues! Blah! I still managed to get a silver buckle so I’m not complaining.

Dances with Dirt 50K (Pinckney, Michigan)

This is a classic Michigan ultra-trail run. Much of it is on trail, but much of it is right through the woods, swamps, and rivers. It was enjoyable in a brutal sort of way and I finished 5th overall. It was actually longer than 31 miles since most of the top-ten racers went a couple miles off course.

North Country Trail 50-miler (Manistee, Michigan)

I’ve always wanted to run this race — an out-and-back on a beautiful trail in the Huron-Manistee National Forest. I felt strong through the halfway point running right behind 2nd place. Then came the stomach troubles. I strided back to the start and finished a decent 5th overall.