(Click on the image to view)Ding, ding, ding...
In the blue corner...weighing 150 pounds...
Ok, maybe not exactly your run of the mill boxing match-up but the 2009 Rock and Ice Ultra should prove to be a good battle between Mike (Argue) and myself. I've made up a little Tale of the Tape doc to enlighten you on our strengths and weaknesses...
I spoke to Mike a couple of days ago at the National Championships where he was racing (I was working). I tagged alongside him on one of the days off and did a loop of the trails with him, catching up and talking shit. The obvious focus of the conversation was on the Rock and Ice...
PV - "How's the sled coming along?"
MA - "...Uh...haven't built it yet...!"
PV - "Well, as much as I want to beat you Mike, you need to spend some time skiing with your sled - trust me!"
MA - "Yeah...I know!"
But as much as I may (think to) have the preparation advantage now, I have no doubt that Mike will be ready to go on the start line, and from there, the fun will start!
I keep thinking of different strategies for the event...but really, there's no way to know what will be the best plan to follow until we're both on the start line and ready to rock'n roll! (And besides...I don't want to give away too much info away before the event!)
Bottom line - I have no clue what to expect. I just got my -30C sleeping bag(s), liners, stove, etc...most of it I bought, the other stuff I borrowed from Will Gadd - aka Captain Adventure as I like to call him. Will's great, between him, Scott Semple, Rob Owens and EJ Plimley, all superstar mountaineers/climbers, I've been advised and setup with the lightest winter camping gear available to man. Everyone has put in their 2-cents and I've been all ears...But in the end, it's my call. I'm pretty confident on Helmut's setup - not the lightest but it's simple and solid. As far as my gear list...I'm heavy. I just weighed in at 30+lbs...everything minus breakfast/dinners. Way too heavy.
4 days to go...
4 comments:
Not following skiing very closely, I wasn't aware of Mike. You guys should have some interesting days. Great tale of the tape.
RE: Helmut...as I mentioned in my comments...
Tough to lighten up much from 30lbs. Can make calls on extra gear at the start depending on weather. Other option is to ski with a small pack as well, which might be more of a benefit for skiers than us runners.
BTW...the runners will crush the skiers if snow is like last year;). Sounds like it was fluke conditions though, so not likely.
Are you trash talkin' me? Maybe it's the green beers I've been drinking all afternoon, or maybe it's my ego...I think this calls for a wager...?
Good luck Phil and say hi to Jason for us.
My only advice for Helmut is to take lots of duct tape just in case.
No wager Phil. If the conditions are reasonable, the skiers should cross the line first.
See you soon.
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