MOMAR Racing & Juan de Fuca Running

So here it is. My 5 Day Birthday Weekend Report.

Last Wednesday, after catching a late ferry over to Vancouver Island, we got up early for a 5am departure out to Port Renfrew to the Juan de Fuca trailhead. With mom as the wonderful "head of support crew" (sorry, I have to give her a cool name) I met Don Peterson and Norm Hann and we were off and running at 8am. What a great day on the trail. We had a nice easy pace for the entire 47km and I enjoyed every step (covered in mud, slipping on boardwalk and roots, rock hopping my way down the incredible beaches) as it was a constant reminder that I was home! Ah yes, back to the true West Coast where you expect rain, you plan for rain and learn how to embrace it. This is exactly what we did and as result, we had a wicked day of running in the rain! As we passed by Sombrio Beach, the surf was telling us to "grab the boards" but onwards we went, to the car at China Beach trailhead. Later that night, it was all about friends as we drank some local beers and ate good food from the Canoe Club in downtown Victoria. Friday morning it was back to Duncan to check in with the gang at Cowichan Bay Kayak and to sort out our boats for the race the next day. Always love returning to "the Bay" and saying hi. This is a must visit destination for all you paddling folks. Glen and Greg and the good people at Seaward Kayaks assigned us the Passatt G3 which is a wicked boat and has been ripping up the adventure world for quite some time. This is my choice of boat for both racing and expedition paddling. It was also just voted as The Best Tandem on the market by Sea Kayaker Magazine so you know its worthy. Check it out!

We arrived into Cumberland (a mountain biking haven) in the evening, set up camp and then waited for our other two team mates to arrive from Seattle. The VG's (Ryan and Jen), Norm and myself were gearing up for a fun day on the MOMAR course in the morning.

However, Saturday morning rolled around really quickly and YEAH, it was my 28th Birthday! Can't think of anything better than racing a MOMAR to celebrate. However, Jen had caught the flu and she opted out of racing (good call, Jen.) We were just trying to figure out how RVG and Norm were going to tow me in a double kayak to get us through the first leg when solo racer, Tom Roozenvald, stepped up to join us! Can't think of a better replacement and a greater guy to join us! Tom rocked it out there.

Beginning with a paddle, it was hard for us to match the speed of the surf skis on the water but we did our best and in the chop, the G3 was solid. We came off the water in 1hr1min, about 9min behind the lead boat. Onto an orienteering course on the shores of Comox lake via foot for 30min or so. RVG nailed the nav and we came out in 3rd place overall, just behind team MOMAR/Helly Hansen and John Markez. It was then time to hit the bikes and experience the wicked trails in the Cumberland area. Epic riding! We rode for 1hr18min before dropping our bikes, and heading out into another O course on foot. We lost a bit of time here on the leaders, as it took us 1hr31 minutes to complete this section. Back to the bikes for a few more fun trails that would take us into downtown Cumberland for a quick rogaine section through the paved streets. We finished in 4hrs49min, good enough for 1st place in the team of 4 co-ed and 5th overall.

It was a great day of racing. Mom, JVG and Jayden (baby VG) cheered us on and, as always, I had fun racing with my powerhouse DART nuun team mate RVG. Norm and Tom killed it out on the course. Mt Washington was the host site for the famous after party (Hawaiian theme) and thanks to some of my friends (yes, you Martin), it was a funtastic night, from what I remember!

No time to feel crappy in the morning. Tofino was calling me and you can read that update below. So there you have it. 5 days, lots of fun, way too jam packed. Congrats to all the MOMAR racers and to Tasaka for putting it on.