Why run Chicopee Doonst wonders

Doonst · Postby **Doonst** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 4:51 pm

First race in the 5 Peaks series, at Chicopee ski resort. 5 Peaks has been using wave starts for a couple of years, to deal with the crowds and I must say it usually works well. Then there was today.
I was looking to start in wave 3 but so were several hundred others, seriously 150 or more. so I settled for the start of wave 4, that has worked for me before, only chip time counts for results. Today I was running third in that wave when we hit the first hill. It zig-zagged up a grass ski hill around sections of melting snow. Did I mention that it was hot and sunny? We caught the massive third wave so fast, everyone just walking up the muddy slopes. Slowed to a crawl. At the top it turned into single track, again just one pace no passing. Some tried but didn't get far before giving up. I did think of those in my age group who started earlier getting farther ahead, but I tried not to let it drive me crazy. The single track was rolling and nice running but the crowd would just jam up too often to a walk. Even the second wave after 1/3 of the crowd had finished the sport course, it wasn't a whole lot better. The grass hill was trashed by then, lots of runners sliding around and falling. The single track was quicker but still somebody else's pace. I spent half of the second loop chatting with two women about races we have done. Got past them at a water stop, then finally I had a clear section. Here around 3/4s of the way in I could finally hammer it, and only then realized how easy I had been running. Still a tough and hilly course, very muddy in spots with some fast downhill bunny slopes a meadow wide. I finished having barely broken a sweat, well it was hot. I didn't feel for the most part that I was racing, just stuck in traffic. Also I'm not a big mud fan, so not my favorite course. I finished the 8.7 K (advertised) course in 58:37, 12 out of 29 in my age group and 127 out of 258 overall. I haven't finished so poorly percentage wise in years, but I guess its partly my strategic mistake in starting where I did. The good news is I can now race the Rubble Yell tomorrow, because I didn't race that hard today. Good to see maniac peeps as usual.

Edit: link to pictures.

pts · Postby **pts** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:00 pm

I am just glad you didn't lap me. Great "easy run" Sheldon. If you can do that without breaking a sweat, you must be superman!

I agree about the logistics of this one, hard to pass (or be passed in my case!).

MINITEE · Postby **MINITEE** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:09 pm

Maybe those people didn't want you to pass

It's all in the shorts baby!

QuickChick · Postby **QuickChick** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:32 pm

Too bad about the waves. That's good to know- sounds like you have to almost research past results to see where you should be. See you tomorrow... live and in colour.

Jo-Jo · Postby **Jo-Jo** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:34 pm

Doonst wrote: I spent half of the second loop chatting with two women about races we have done.

..... I didn't feel for the most part that I was racing.

Ummm....it sounds like you weren't racing...you were busy chatting up the ladies :roll:

Were you wearing your funky tights BTW...that is a sure way to get the ladies all hot and bothered :wink:

Doonst · Postby **Doonst** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:36 pm

QuickChick wrote:Too bad about the waves. That's good to know- sounds like you have to almost research past results to see where you should be. See you tomorrow... live and in colour.

That's the thing, it was a new course. Previous wave experience has been very positive, but the best ones have 2 lane running to pass and fast downhill sections early on to spread out the crowd. Here it was up, then narrow.

Doonst · Postby **Doonst** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:38 pm

Jo-Jo wrote:
Were you wearing your funky tights BTW...that is a sure way to get the ladies all hot and bothered

Heather did, I was sporting new shorts in "jungle fever" pattern.

Jo-Jo · Postby **Jo-Jo** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:41 pm

Doonst wrote:
Jo-Jo wrote:
Were you wearing your funky tights BTW...that is a sure way to get the ladies all hot and bothered

Heather did, I was sporting new shorts in "jungle fever" pattern.

OMG...ROFL..."jungle fever" you say...no wonder the ladies wanted to chat with you :shock:

redhead · Postby **redhead** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:42 pm

Congrats Doonst!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNLu2gY2-uU

scrumhalfgirl · Postby **scrumhalfgirl** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:57 pm

too bad it wasn't the experience you'd hoped for - that passing situation sounds frustrating!

enjoy the second race tomorrow!

Annelizabeth · Postby **Annelizabeth** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:05 pm

Also did that race today.....lucky I guess I picked the right wave- start of the second. Really sucks being stuck.
After only doing horseshoe last year in the series I wasn't expecting a course so technical... fun but muddy.

Darth Tater · Postby **Darth Tater** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:49 pm

scrumhalfgirl wrote:too bad it wasn't the experience you'd hoped for - that passing situation sounds frustrating!

enjoy the second race tomorrow!

What she said!

chunkymonkeymelonhed · Postby **chunkymonkeymelonhed** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:56 am

Sorry about the logistical problems.

Benefit of that however was that the ladies actually got to enjoy the Jungle Fever as more than just a blur when you ran by :wink:

Postby **Marg** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:00 am

Sounds like it was a wee frustrating... but great racing regardless.
Way to go Sheldon, you'll need a stick to beat off the ladies in your jungle gear!

VeloCarrie · Postby **VeloCarrie** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:49 am

Me thinks it was female strategic thinking to keep the Jungle Boy with them the whole race.

cgraham · Postby **cgraham** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:49 pm

Sounds frustrating. Hope you make up for it at the Rubble Yell

AirForceRunner · Postby **AirForceRunner** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:47 pm

As if running uphill in the mud isn't frustrating....being stuck in a line to follow that...nothing like running uncomfortable and angry. :evil:

Well done all things considered.

Robbie-T · Postby **Robbie-T** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:49 pm

That doesn't sound fun, glad you had fun and made the best of it.

ian · Postby **ian** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:53 pm

I thought the whole point of trail running was to get away from the crowds. On the other hand, what's the benefit of all the new running gear if nobody sees it?

JSmitty · Postby **JSmitty** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:00 pm

Awesome looking legs Sheldon. Sorry about the race, you will make up for it, I'm sure.

West Grey Runner · Postby **West Grey Runner** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:56 pm

Sorry to hear that the race was such a blow out! Think I will stick to the OUS races.

MINITEE · Postby **MINITEE** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:01 pm

West Grey Runner wrote:Sorry to hear that the race was such a blow out! Think I will stick to the OUS races.

This was the first year at Chicopee. I think we have to give 5Peaks some credit here. It has been described by the second place runner as the toughest course in the series. Logistically, there are some bugs, but no reason to avoid an excellent and well run race series! :wink:

Doonst · Postby **Doonst** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:08 pm

MINI-T wrote:
West Grey Runner wrote:Sorry to hear that the race was such a blow out! Think I will stick to the OUS races.

This was the first year at Chicopee. I think we have to give 5Peaks some credit here. It has been described by the second place runner as the toughest course in the series. Logistically, there are some bugs, but no reason to avoid an excellent and well run race series!

Agreed, they put on great races, some of the best in Ontario. They are not this popular for no reason! I am a repeat season pass holder and satisfied customer. Ron come and do Rattlesnake Point for the most fun race in the province!

dgrant · Postby **dgrant** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:23 pm

MINI-T wrote:
West Grey Runner wrote:Sorry to hear that the race was such a blow out! Think I will stick to the OUS races.

This was the first year at Chicopee. I think we have to give 5Peaks some credit here. It has been described by the second place runner as the toughest course in the series. Logistically, there are some bugs, but no reason to avoid an excellent and well run race series!

I agree as well. A first-year-at-unique-venue bug that can be worked out. You didn't hear it from me, but old man Doonst sealed his own fate by modestly choosing a wave too far back. It wasn't like that for the second wave.

Lightning · Postby **Lightning** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:24 pm

Sorry the race wasn't the best. GREAT job at the RY today though! Were those the Jungle Fever shorts you had on today? If so, I am sure that's why those ladies stuck with you, no????

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