Hey It's June 2023

 So how was June of 2023? Well, if we don't talk about the weather in Nova Scotia, it was not too bad. 

I switched up training to get ready for the Baddeck Duathlon, my first multisport event in a number of years. To be fair, I decided to go back and race this event because the people who host it do a great job, and it was going to be great to see some fellow multisport racers again. 

First though I was back for another crack at the Bridgewater Tire Trot. 

This is a 5K race on a crusher dust trail that has been happening for a few years now. Initially it was postponed due to extreme dry conditions and local forest fires. Luckily, a little rain made it possible to hold the event. 

This is probably the oddest 5K race I run, the trail always seems to be confusing as to if you are running a slight incline or a slight decline. It shifts a lot as it follows a river. Add in a lot of tree cover which can make GPS signals spotty and you just have to be ready to run what ya brung. 

With a tight first few corners before the transition to crusher dust, and an unfortunate trail gate that couldn't be opened before the race, I knew that a fast start was definitely needed. 

So off I went, pushed by a few other fast runners to go hard. I made it through the obstacles in first, then had the opportunity to define the pace. My next goal was to hit sub 18 minutes. Slight uphill and crusher dust are certainly not the best conditions for this, and with GPS iffy as I mentioned, I had to do the math while running. It hit the 1 km return mark needing a 3:45 km with the worst of the uphill to come. I managed a 3:41 and crossed the line in 17:55 and 1st overall. 

This was my fourth win in a row at this event, and while those wins won't last forever, it was pretty nice. It was also great seeing a huge turnout from my run club the BLT Runners. 

Back at multisport with the Baddeck Duathlon. This event was last held in 2019 and I had a blast doing it. I knew my bike riding capabilities were not where they were once, but still it was a great excuse to visit Cape Breton and get away for a few days. 

It was the same race as previous years. A tough gravel road run with massive climbing and a crazy decent to finish, then rolling constant hills on the bike, only to go back up the hill for one final run. 

Off we went. My goal here was clear, lead the first run. I knew the better bikers would over take me soon enough so I just wanted to keep my little piece of glory on that first run. 

I pushed hard on those hills, just holding back enough to be able to get through transition 1 and onto the bike in one piece.

I was a little rusty on transitions, but I got out onto the bike in relative ease and peddled away.

I was passed by the riders over the course of the next 22 km but felt good in my effort. I kept the speed up around 32 km/hr. The rust really showed though and a little bad luck. We all had to stop at a stop sign and put a foot down. I forgot to gear down as I should have, so getting started again was tough and I definitely lost some time there. The course also has one way bridges and the biggest one was unfortunately in use when I got there, so another short wait. I doubt it would have changed the results much, with maybe a slightly faster finishing time. 

I started the final run in 5th place and finished there, with a solid effort, though I was definitely more gassed from the bike ride than I used to be, and couldn't quite muster a full out hard effort on that run. 
 

Following the duathlon, we headed to the Highlands for some awesome hiking, even though it rained like crazy. Lexie joined us for turned out to be an excellent hiker.

The month ended with a nice birthday hike. I have often gone for a big bike ride or epic trail run, but this time I went for a speed hike. 15 km with a stop enroute to brew some hiking coffee and sit and sip and ponder things. It was a nice way to end the month.