Jeff's Sporting Life

Hammer Nutrition Missoula MTB XC Race 2013 @ Montana (USA Pro XCT) #1

Saturday June 22nd, I finished 23rd place out of 23 in Cat 2 (that's Canada's Sport) results. It took me 1hr 40mins. It was three laps long for a total of 14 Kms. The total Elevation gain was 2,434 feet. I earned 590 place points. One word to describe the course would be ''wow'' nothing like that at home. This is my fourth season of racing and this was the most difficult XC race I have done thus far. I could take a little bit of Canmore and Hinton to compare some of it. I remember hearing the announcer saying this course will test your climbing ability, your fitness, and your technical riding skills, he also said if your not good in one area you won't do well, (me not great at technical) I am glad they let me finish the race (as I was under one minute before the time cut for lap #2) to post a time, It let me feel that proud moment of finishing the race. The winner was done in under an hour and I have to say the local Montana racers have the comfort level on this course and are used to breathing at this elevation, it was impressive to watch and there were some accomplished road racers in the field. It felt like the racers were faster than Canada's sport field. I had a really good second lap and pulled in more than six minutes compared to my first lap. I stayed in my clips for most of the race except for one really steep switch back with a log drop so I un clipped and bounced off the trail and wiped out sliding down the mountain on lap two, thank fully I was ok, just shook up. The race was held at Marshall Mountain and the temperature was 22 deg C. A huge thanks to USA Cycling and all the volunteers for putting on the race. There was a BBQ after the Men Elite race at 6:00pm with hot dogs, pork, ribs and beer and pop. Then a live band was on stage, it was a great way to celebrate the day. I got a chance to say hello to Geoff K and Derek Z the Canadian pro racers of Scott racing team, also really cool people.

Video of me grinding it out, up the Mountain in Missoula Montana by Martin P (24 sec)

Mass start, pic by Martin P

Down hill section, pic by Martin P

The ramp, pic by Martin P

Rolling along, pic by Martin P

Pic by Martin P

Suffer face & wishing I could use the chair lift, LOL, pic by Martin P

Pic by Martin P

Suffer face & wishing I could use the chair lift, LOL, pic by Martin P

Pic by Martin P

Organ Grinder MTB XC Marathon Race 2013 @ Canmore (Western National Marathon series) #1

Sunday June 9th, I finished 33rd place out of 43 in Solo Open Men results , Overall I was 58 out of 82 for solo open and master open men category. It took me 4hrs 13mins, (Lap1= 1hr 14mins) (Lap2= 1hr 26mins) (Lap3= 1hr 32mins) I went a total of 36 Kms. Total elevation gain 3,678 Feet. My average heart rate was 165 and max was 190. I earned 58 points in the Western National Marathon series. I had one hour left on the clock but I knew I could not complete another lap in that time. About forty minutes into the race it started to rain light and then a bit harder, it remained this way for most of the race, with about a thirty minute period with sun. The rocks and roots were wet and slick. I stayed in my clips for the bulk of the race exept for the four really technical descents, or I road it part of the way then un clipped. I am very proud I did not quit today with the tough riding conditions, it would have been easy to do so or go put my flat pedals back on. I decided to grind it out and I was enjoying myself and learned alot about my determination. I had a good day. This was my second ever MTB Marathon. The race was held at the Canmore Nordic Centre and the temperature was 9 deg C and raining. A huge thanks to Cyclemeisters for putting on the race and the BBQ chicken sausage hotdog was great and all the volunteers for staying in the rain.

Tight switch back section, pic by Jordan Bryden

Mountains in the back ground, pic by Jordan Bryden

Pump track, pic by Jordan Bryden

Iron Maiden MTB XC Race 2013 @ Canmore (Alberta Cup) #2

Saturday June 8th, I finished 46th place out of 51 in Sport results. It took me 1hr 34mins. It was three laps long for a total of 18 Kms. The total Elevation gain was 1,634 feet. My average heart rate was 185 and max was 196. I stayed in my clips for most of the race except for one really small steep up hill section and the (three down arrow section after that, I un clipped and still flipped over the handle bars on my first crash) and the (tight switch back section beside the organ donor, I tried it clipped in and crashed) I was ok after both crashes. I road the technical Devonian Drop and many other tight hard sections. The race was held at the Canmore Nordic Centre and the temperature was 17 deg C. A huge thanks to Spin Sisters and all the volunteers for putting on the race, and the BBQ burgers after were great.

June 2013 Training

Sun 30th, Road ride @ Colchester Hall for 2hrs 26mins, Average heart rate =156 max =187. Total elevation gain 886 ft. Kms 61

Mon 24th, MTB ride up Marshall Mountain in Missoula Montana for 2hrs 1min. Average heart rate =165 max =199, Total elevation gain 2,428 ft. Kms 20

Fri 21st, MTB ride pre lap Hammer Nutrition Missoula race course in Montana for 1hr 6mins. Average heart rate =153 max =189, Total elevation gain 1,115 ft. Kms 9

Mon 10th, MTB ride @ Canmore to Spray Lakes for 1hr 15mins. Average heart rate =164 max =181, Total elevation gain 1,601 ft. Kms 17

Video of me as Uncle Buck drives my truck and records, edited by James S (2 mins)

Tues 4th, MTB ride @ Millwoods Ravine for 1hr 30mins. Average heart rate =114 max =157, Total elevation gain 535 ft. Kms 21

Sat 1st, Road ride @ Colchester Hall to Beaumont area for 2hrs 36mins, Average heart rate =141 max =162. Total elevation gain 666 ft. Kms 62

Pigeon Lake Road Race 2013 (Alberta Cup) #1

Sunday May 26th, I did not finish in Cat 5. It took me 2hrs 56mins. I ended up going 80Kms because I was re routed, it was originally 63kms. I got lots of good training in so it worked out well. The total Elevation gain was 1,949 feet. My average heart rate was 174 and max 195 was. This was my first ever Alberta Cup level road race. I had been getting over a really bad sinus infection the past ten days, and felt good today. I lasted about 6kms in the main peleton and it was a big one with over 60 racers all in one huge pack. My friend and teammate Stew H was up the road so I caught up to him and from there on in we road together. I went ahead and pulled us up the hills and then he went ahead to pull me down the hills. It seemed to work really well. On our first lap we passed a bad crash and had to go really slow. On the second lap and at our 55kms mark we had to stop at the place of the bad crash. The race orginizers had to cancel the remainder of the race because they closed the road so they can get to the injured riders, I hope those injured to a good recovery. The temperature was 20 deg C. A huge thanks to all the volunteers and ERTC for putting on the race, the BBQ burgers at the end were fantastic.

Fat Tire MTB XC Race 2013 #1

Tuesday May 21st, @ Sun Ridge ski hill, I finished 4th out of 7 Results and did three laps. It was 10 kms and took me 48 mins. My average heart rate=178 Max=194. Total elevation gain 748 ft. It was 22 deg C. I was not feeling great as I have a sinus/chest infection, it was good to sweat it out, made me feel better. Thank you Sheldon S for cheering me on and providing the great video.Thanks to the guys @ Kokanee Race team Redbike and Hardcore Bikes for putting on the race.

Highlight Video from the race (3min) I am in the video at the 1:01 mark for a few seconds ripping by, LOL.

Coulee Crusier MTB XC Race 2013 @ Lethbridge (Alberta Cup) #1

Saturday May 4th, I finished 24th place out of 24 in Sport results. It took me 1hr 30mins. It was three laps long for a total of 21 Kms. The total Elevation gain was 1,604 feet. My average heart rate was 178 and max was 195. The course was a bit different this year as they added some berms and small rollers. I had been getting over the Flu/Laryngitis over the last two weeks, this is no excuse for my performance as also my legs cramped up at the finish line. I stayed in my clips for most of the race except for the second bridge over the creek and the slight up hill just after the long decent as if I fell it was a big drop to the left and into the creek. The temperature was 22 deg C. A huge thanks to Kevin N and headwinds & bert and macs source for sports and all the volunteers for putting on the race. After the race there was a learn to race clinic from 2011 National Elite MTB XC champion Matt Hadley.

Checking out the new berms pre race, pic by Stew H

Staying clipped in, looking ahead on the course.

Myself and Matt Hadley after his race clinic

May 2013 Training

Thur 30th, Road ride @ Colchester Hall for 1hr. Average heart rate =148 max =176, Total elevation gain 328 feet. kms 26. First ride on my new Trek Domane 4.5 full Carbon bike I bought from United Cycle It rides smooth, its fast, turns good, climbs great and its lite.

Wed 22nd, MTB group ride @ Queen Elizabeth to Mackinnon Ravine for 2hrs 25mins. Average heart rate =136 max =186, Elevation 1,375 ft. Kms 26

Sun 12th, MTB ride with parents @ Terwillegar to Hawrelak Park for 1hr 30mins. Average heart rate =124 max =180, Elevation 689 ft. Kms 21

Sat 11th, MTB ride @ Terwillegar to Walterdale park for 2hrs 30mins. Average heart rate =156 max =191, Total elevation gain 1,414 ft. Kms 35

Thu 9th , MTB ride @ Terwillegar Park for 1hr 34mins. Average heart rate =150 max =194, Total elevation gain 1,017 ft. Kms 20 Weight 158

Wed 8th, MTB group ride @ Queen Elizabeth to Mill Creek Ravine for 1hr 50mins. Average heart rate =141 max =178, Elevation 919 ft. Kms 16

Fri 3rd, MTB ride Pre lap Coulee Cruiser race course in Lethbridge for 38mins. Average heart rate =161 max =188, Total elevation gain 525 ft. Kms 7

Wed 1st , MTB ride @ Millwoods Ravine for 1hr 18mins. Average heart rate =129 max =172, Total elevation gain 440 ft. Kms 17

2012/2013 Non Contact Hockey League Season Recap

This was my fifth consecutive season playing in an organized men's league and first in the NCHL, first with the Garbage Goals. We were in division #6/7. I played 26/30 games and had 21 Goals 13 Assists 34 Points and was seventh in division scoring. I played 3/4 Playoff games and had 1 Goal 6 Assists 7 Points and was second in division scoring. We finished with 20W 8L 2OTL 42PTS that put us in first place. We had a bye in the first round of the playoffs, won the second round elimination game, then won 2 of 3 vs the Crusaders to win it all. The team played in Calgary for provincials and lost, I did not play as I was MTB XC racing in Lethbridge. This was a close nit team, with varying skill levels and as the season went along we just seemed to gel as a team, and the proof was the championship series, The Crusaders have better individual players than us and on paper should beat us, we relied on strong goal tending and timely goals. It was a fun season playing for the Garbage Goals.

Back row LtoR: Nick D, Seth W, Scott C, Paul R, Carl T, John L, Dennis P, Me
Front row LtoR: Tanner J, Vince H, Mike H, Geoff C, Rodel S
On the ice Our cup we won.

NCHL 2012/13 (Playoff Game #3) 1 Goal & 3 Assists

Sunday Apr 28th, @ 8:00, Kenilworth Arena Garbage Goals vs. Crusaders (W 6-5) My goal was from a perfect pass from Scott C. My first assist I passed it to Nick D who made a perfect shot. My second assist I kept the puck alive, shot it and Scott C got the rebound in. My third assist I got it over to Scott C who scored. I was hurting bad getting over this Flu/Laryngitis virus I have, but I wanted to win so bad and left my heart out on the ice tonight, along with my whole team. Both teams played their best and there was lead changes in the first two periods and a nice goal by Seth W. The Crusaders pulled ahead 5-3 on a sweet goal by #17 with five minutes left in the third period. We battled back and tied it up on the strength of Scott C's goals. With just 43 seconds left in the game, I scored the biggest goal of (my young hockey career LOL) I yelled with joy and skated to centre ice celebrating. That proved to be the game winning goal and we won the NCHL division #6 championship. Wow what a game and just like all season long we never gave up. First star Scott C 3G & 1A. Second star myself I was over 60% in the face offs and blocked three shots. Third star Mike H with the glove save at the end. The whole team get stars tonight as it took us all to win it. We lost Alex L to penalty infractions, so Scott C and myself double shift for the final two periods. Thank you Wendy W for the great pics and Howard C one of my best friends for coming out to watch.