Saturday, May 2, 2009

Race Report - Snake River Canoe Race

Oh wait, this is a running blog. Don't worry, I did some of that today too.

In the freezing (read: sitting on my ass and eating chocolate) dead of winter, my friend Cheryl and I decided we would try to get a Mora Classic medal this year. To do so, we need to complete all four of their little events -- canoe race, half marathon, bike tour, and cross country ski race. Because I am a medal whore (or dedicated athlete, whatever), this seemed like a good idea.

This morning was the canoe race. Twenty five kilometers on the Snake River. Using my 5K math, I guess that's about 15 miles. Um, that's a long way to propel myself using only a paddle and my arms, right?

The day was PERFECT - sunny, warm. So warm, in fact, that I stripped out of my jeans & long-sleeves on the side of the road and swapped them for running capris and a tank. Several people may have seen my underwear. Good times. For them.

Our paddle down the river was uneventful, and SLOW. It's good to know that I can at least run faster than I can paddle. My biggest fear, that we would tip over and I would drown in three feet of water, thankfully did not come true. Some girls near us? Yeah, they crashed into the shore and dumped right on in the river. I can't lie, it was pretty funny. (I did refrain from laughing until we made sure that they were okay!)

After we finished and hauled our canoe out of the river (and my friend Cheryl carried that thing about 1/2 a mile to the truck - she is a freaking Amazon), Cheryl's aunt started driving us home. And when we got about 13 miles away, we opened the doors and jumped out. And ran the rest of the way.

So there you have it. Canoe: 15 miles. Run: 13 miles. Bonus? While I was off pretending to be a multi-sport athlete, my mom sat at my house watching Sophie. And did ALL of my laundry.

P.S. I can't wait to read all the race reports for everyone racing tomorrow. GOOD LUCK!!

12 comments:

Sarah said...

Wow...sounds like fun. I have never canoed in my life. The closest I have come is the boat you sit in and make go by pedaling your feet. :)

Dontcha just loves moms? Mine like to come visit and do my ironing. :)

RunMommyRun said...

Cool. That sounds like a great day to me! And clean laundry to boot!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

hmm, i'd be the girl paddling in a constant circle, trying to go in a straight line! :D Sounds like it was a blast though! Enjoy your newest medal, and bonus that laundry is done too!

Erika said...

That sounds fun!

And I love it when my mom visits and all my laundry gets caught up. ;o)

MCM Mama

Anonymous said...

Sweet! I kayaked down the Snake over several days in Wyoming several years back and it was absolutely beautiful.

Oh yeah, send your mom down my way!

Anonymous said...

Crazy workout! Nice job all around, sounds like it was a great day. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Anonymous said...

Nice biathlon, you!

I'm afeared of canoes - they're all tippy and shit. And my fear makes NO sense in that I'm a decent swimmer, but I still get ridiculously fearful. Hence, no biathlon for me!

Running Through Life said...

Good for you!

I haven't canoed since I was a kid. From what I remember, it was not easy. What a bonus of having your laundry done. I think that is a great prize for a grueling work out such as you had.

Marlene said...

I can't canoe to save my life! Congrats!

Ali said...

Fun! It sounds great.

When my mom comes to visit she always does my laundry and ironing ... love her

joyRuN said...

That sounds awesome! And definitely no pretending there, girl - you ARE a multi-sport athlete!!

Enjoy the medal & clean laundry :)

I Run for Fun said...

Wow! That is some workout! You are definitely a multisport athlete in my book (or in any book, for that matter)