Tuck Fest Weekend

So last Thursday, I was out at the Whitewater Center for a group trail run.  We had 20 or so folks show up and we ran around 6 miles.  During the course of the run, one of the runners asked if I was going to come out for Tuck Fest. “Tuck what?” They explained that it was three full days of racing.  Paddleboats, kayaks, trail runs, mountain biking, obstacle course, you name it.  Basically, you pay one fee of 35 buckaroos.  For that fee you get a race bib that can be used in as many races as you want. As Jed Clampett used to say: Hot diggity dog. I decided to give two races a try which included the 10k trail run on Saturday and the 12 mile mountain bike / obstacle course on Sunday. The 10k had about 100 people in it and was a fun race.  I took off in the lead and held it the entire race.  Several times I could see Dave Leatherman on my tail through the switchbacks, but I tried my best to hold him off.  I succeeded and took the win. Then came Sunday.  I woke up sore as a dog and wondering if I really wanted to do the mountain bike / obstacle course race or not. Yes, I said “obstacle course”. This race consisted of 12 miles on the mountain bike stopping throughout the race to do 10 obstacles.  These guys aren’t just jumping over a barrel, but instead included some serious challenges. I dilly-dallied around the house with this small chore and that until the very last minute, trying to figure out if I was going to do it or not..  With just enough time to get there and get checked in, I left the house.  I showed up, rode a bit to warm up and then lined up at the start to the front and far left. The race started with a sprint around the whitewater rapids in an effort to get the hole shot into the single track.  I followed in second place behind John Cates.  Throughout the entire race, John and I would race together, stopping at the obstacles to make our way over, under, through or across them.  He was a much better biker than I, but I seemed to do better at the obstacles.  Once we reached a huge boulder pile that we had to climb (with bikes in tow), I seemed to pull away from him.  I held onto the lead for the win. Race: Tuck Fest 10k Trail Run Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Date: April 20, 2013 Distance: 10k trail run Result: 1st Overall Products used: GU Roctane. Race: Tuck Fest Dirty Dozen Mountain Bike & Obstacle Race Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Date: April 21, 2013 Distance: 12 mile mountain bike with 10 obstacles Result: 1st Overall Products used: GU Roctane and GU Brew, Schwalbe Racing Ralph and Rocket Ron Tires, Cobb DRT SHC Saddle, ESI Grips, Crank Brothers Candy 11 Pedals. Be a Warrior, Marcus