Topic: "Soldiers endure 50-km land, water race"

[mariomike]

EDMONTON - Edmonton's elite soldiers completed a gruelling 50-km land and water race to determine the fittest of the fit.
http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/09/03/15233616.html

Congratulations!

[CDN Aviator]

I've done it twice (1998 and 2000) and can honestly say that it was harder than i had imagined.

5:02:13

I wish i could be that fast 

[recceguy]

I've done it twice (1998 and 2000) and can honestly say that it was harder than i had imagined.

I wish i could be that fast 

Yeah, but you're old now

[CDN Aviator]

Yeah, but you're old now

 

[Rider Pride]

The original race, Ironman in Petawawa, is still harder. But Mountain Man is a grueling race


As a former Ironman competitor, I must congratulate all those who complete either.

[Petamocto]

Even the Pet one is only harder because of combat boots though, so even its not as hard as it used to be when it was FFO.

The distances are all generally similar though, but 5 hours covering 50 km including a portage and canoe is flying however you're covering it.  Typically the Ironman winner is approx 6 hours (higher or lower usually depending on how humid it is that day).

I did it in 2006 and I was the last guy of the top third at 7:43, and that was after months of dedicated all-day training (the CO was furious that the Engineers had won the year before so he stacked the deck).

I can not imagine knocking 1/3 off the time I got.  Averaging 10km in an hour is hard enough with nothing on just running, so basically that person ran the entire thing, and I'm not talking jogged but ran.

[CDN Aviator]

Saddly, my best time was just over 8 hours.......

I did worse the second time around.

[Petamocto]

My friend, 8 hours is nothing to be ashamed of.  Just doing it is something that 90% of the CF never attempts, and 8 hours is still a top half time for those who do.

[Tank Troll]

I wonder why it is only the 13th annual mountain Man competition, we were doing it every year in Calgary before we moved to Edmonton

[Shamrock]

I wonder why it is only the 13th annual mountain Man competition, we were doing it every year in Calgary before we moved to Edmonton

Because it became the Edmonton Garrison Mountain Man in 1997.

[CDN Aviator]

Because it became the Edmonton Garrison Mountain Man in 1997.

Well, both my 1998 and 2000 MM coins says "1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Mountain Man Challenge" so i'm not sure where this "13th annual" comes from either. The 1997 MM challenge IIRC was conductued in Calgary even though most 1 CMBG units had already moved to Edmonton. Was the MM challenge ran prior to 1997 ?

[Shamrock]

Well, both my 1998 and 2000 MM coins says "1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Mountain Man Challenge" so i'm not sure where this "13th annual" comes from either. The 1997 MM challenge IIRC was conductued in Calgary even though most 1 CMBG units had already moved to Edmonton. Was the MM challenge ran prior to 1997 ?

 

You're right.  Prior to 1998, it was hosted on Mars and was known as "No-one important was involved Man"

[CDN Aviator]

You're right.  Prior to 1998, it was hosted on Mars and was known as "No-one important was involved Man"

Fine, be an ***......good night.

[stealthylizard]

PPCLI didn't place first, because the pepper-potted the entire thing  .  Just kidding, congrats to those that participated.

[IRONMAN3]

Congratulations to all.

 CDN Aviator;

It was held prior to 97, If my memory is correct it started in 1994. Petawawa sent a team of 10 to the MM in 95 which I was a part of. It was in combat pants and boots and the portage included the 90lb aluminum canoes. I think the rucks were 40lbs, 2lbs lighter then Pet Ironman.

I remember sitting in the pre race meeting with the unit organizers and unit reps. They were outlining the timings for pre positioning of staff and equipment. One of the organizing senior NCO's was stating that no one would break the 6 hr mark so I stood up and asked them to please position themselves 15min faster then indicated, he looked at me and asked why? I replied because I am going to break the 6hr mark. LOL He agreed to move the timings up.

My time that year 5:45   Dave Cooper finished second with a time of 5:58 I believe. With a few others around that mark, they were happy that they changed the timings.

Another note for this event is that I sustained a concussion 3 days prior after going over my handlebars while doing a group ride of the course, a visit to the MRI had them advising me not to compete but I convinced them otherwise.

Congrats again to all
Andrew

[Strike]

Spent the day on the water taking photos and enjoying my leave in my kayak.

The winner hit the water at about 08:20.  The next competitor came in some time afterward.  The winner gained another 8 minute lead while on the water.  Turns out he used to paddle on the national team.

The faster times in MM compared to Pet's Ironman could probably be attributed to the river current and that more than 60% of the competitors actually seemed to know how to paddle.  Was talking to one of the competitors on the water and she said they came out a few times and even did some pool workouts.  The few times I watched the Ironman it seemed that the number of people who had paddling experience was very small.  In fact, some people lost that race on the water.

The increase in temperature while most competitors were on the water was also a benefit.  Although there was some good hobbling coming off the water, it was nowhere near as bad as I've seen in the past.

Good job to all.  Enjoy the long weekend.

[PuckChaser]

Friend of mine came second in last year's Ironman. He said he would have been 30 minutes faster, but if you're too quick and get to the canoeing early, the Ottawa River is covered in peasoup fog. He and the leader both got lost, and ended up downstream quite a ways.

[Petamocto]

Strike,

For the water, it's all about how much the unit supports it.

I was very fortunate at 3 RCR to have the unit support the team so much, because we got the days to train, the canoes to use, and the funds for supplements.

Good point too about the faster you are the more advantages you have.  Everything you do is cooler in the day, and obviously doing something for 5 hours is less work for the body than 8 hours (assuming they are both expending the same effort but the 5 hour guy is more fit).

[Strike]

For the water, it's all about how much the unit supports it.

I was very fortunate at 3 RCR to have the unit support the team so much, because we got the days to train, the canoes to use, and the funds for supplements.

Not really.  If someone is really dedicated to doing well, they will find time to train on their own.  You don't even need to get on the water to learn proper stroke technique.  A pool and a paddle is enough.

As for the second comment, I don't think you got what I was saying.  The warming temperatures meant that the competitors' legs didn't cramp up as badly while they were on the water.

[IRONMAN3]

Boots vers shoes make a huge difference with time, also getting to the water early does have its disadvantage but then again I had a map and compass with me at all times...

[Petamocto]

...As for the second comment, I don't think you got what I was saying...

Ahh, you are correct (edit) I did mis-read your statement.

I saw temps and early times and thought you were talking about the faster competitors getting more of the race done in the early morning hours before it got hot/humid thus harder.

[recceguy]

Ahh, you are correct Sir I did mis-read your statement.

I saw temps and early times and thought you were talking about the faster competitors getting more of the race done in the early morning hours before it got hot/humid thus harder.

If you call Strike, Sir again, she'll probably hunt you down and kick your ***

[Petamocto]

Whoops, has been changed.  Had no idea Strike was a woman, and it wasn't even meant in a military context.