Day kicked off with a 2k swim at 6am -- two laps around the small lake next to the Mike Wiegele heli skiing chalets where we were staying. I was a little late getting going as all the work and the relative lack of sleep is catching up. Then, we had a 7k run prescribed. I decided to do it as the 7 x 1k interval bonus set, so I had set out on a likely looking bit of flat road to measure off the 1k. Hoped for doing them under 4:10 for two bonus points and hit a few right on 4:10 but mostly 4:15 to 4:20. Have to be satisfied with that at this point in the camp.
Breakfast was best so far. Michelle was making huge buttermilk pancakes. There was some friendly jostling for position to get them you can be sure. I doused mine in butter, blueberry preserves, and maple syrup. A great way to fuel up for our monster 210k ride to Jasper.
The ride was nice and civilized to the first aid station at roughly 60k. Afterwards people were free to fly to the KOM point 80 klicks up the road. The peloton stayed together over the mostly flat lead in to the climb up thru Mt Robson provincial park. Newsom put in the first attack, an attempt to go Hans Solo from something like 30k out, but was chased down. Phil attacked the first climb but the bunch regrouped on the descent, so everyone was together to kick things off on the decisive climb. I put things into steady mode and the race went up the road, Shannon floating up the climb and the boys working hard not to get chicked. Zach took things out from Kid Stanford in a sprint, I was told, with Shannon chicking Petro. The Internet never forgets.
After the regroup it was all about finishing the 80k as quickly and sanely as possible. The ride itself was spectacular, following the Moose river thru an alpine valley with 10,000+ crags to either side. "One Pull" Molina was good for several, Zach "Metronome" P, and Petro all putting in big shifts to pull us home. Barry got tired of riding on the bull horns and decided to go to the front so he could "rest" on his aero bars. He proceeded to put it in "Beast Mode" and it was hard work hanging on to his draft.
Unfortunately, Adam "Kid Stanford" Krez had a major mechanical. His rear derailleur hangar cage cracked, the derailleur pulled up into the wheel. I felt no small amount of empathy for him. Hopefully the bike manufacturer will replace the frame under warranty. Amazingly Adam borrowed a bike after getting to Jasper in the van and proceeded to knock out the 60k he missed before dinner.
Into Jasper and the usual rush to sort out rooms, gear, get showered up, and try to catch up with my better half. Today was my turn for being interviewed for the IM Talk podcast with Bevan, so I prepped by getting stuck into a high ABV brew on minimal food. Afterwards I got a chance to talk with Phil and others. I had roomed with Phil already so you would think I'd know a lot about him, but in you are so focused on eating, training, recovering, staying in touch with those at home, and sorting out your shit for the next day that there's in actuality there's not so much time for deep conversation. Phil has a 50+ hour work week and a young family and a typical training week for him is "only" 8-10 hours. I find it amazing how fast these athletes are on the life mandated "minimal" training protocol and how well they can absorb the odd 45+ hour week. Good genes and quality sessions I reckon.
Molina was in fine fettle and had us in tears before and during dinner.
All good fun.
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