Hopefully this the closest I'll ever get to a mug shot!
This is it... Today was the first day I truly felt that the 2009 Rock and Ice is just around the corner...oh wait a second...
The preparation kicked off first thing this morning with the gear check at 8.30am - where everyone got signed off on their equipment for the week. Since I consider Mike to be my main competition, I wasn't too concerned about how light/heavy the others (runners) were, just as long as I was in the same ball game as he was. The lightest sled on the table today was by the Salomon Flight Crew's Jason Loutitt who weighed in at just over 20lbs! Then again, I'm not sure if his crazy carpet contraption will survive the rugged terrain - or his oil/Vega supplements (instead of real food) for that matter - should be interesting! Mike and I are about the same - right around the 30lb mark.
Matrix Camp - The organization's hub for most of the week and our Day 3 Camp.
Gear check - I played translator for a half dozen athletes from France
Team Salomon: Andrew Cameron, Greg and Denise McHale and Liza Pye (missing in action: Jen Segger and Jason Loutitt)I had an interesting trip on my way back from the morning briefing as one of my skis blew off the rear bolt...not good- but at least it happened today! So I spent the afternoon operating on the sled and filling the area with epoxy - Not too sure how it's going to hold up but I guess I don't really have a choice!
Either way, Helmut is as good as he is going to get for now - falling apart is no longer an option!
I've still got a lot of last minute organizing to do so that's it for me...Since I'll be out of contact most (all) of the week - you can follow my progress on www.sleepmonsters.ca (photos of today are already up!)
...Looking forward to tomorrow as I head straight into the -38C windchill!
BTW - Here are a few more blogs for you to check out: Liza Pye, Barb Campbell, Jen Segger, Jason Loutitt, Derrick Spafford...but I guess all of them will be stuck without internet for the next few days...
8 comments:
ROCK THE CASBAH, DUDE!
Translation: Go Phil Go!
Okay PV let's see what you're made of!!!
Lee & Pete
Hey man, I'm getting a real kick out of this showdown. Love it! Good luck.
Good luck dude! I hope Helmut holds his own for you!
Sounds like Day One went really well for you; keep it up! What a shame about Jason - hope he's okay.
keep on running phil, and greetings to your trusted friend herbert, or hector, or hubble...or whatever his name was...
follow the gripmaster!
Okay PV I can't wait to see at what point you pull out the wiley veteran moves and leave this nordic superhero in your snowtrail!!! My bet is it happens sometime today.......stage 4.....don't make me look like a fool!
Lee
Okay okay so you are saving it for the final day.....I should have known. I understand, let him get just 32 seconds of confidence and then take it all away at the line when the crowd is watching. Give it all you got buddy!!!!
Lee
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