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May-hem and Destruction

A month long race report for Charles Elder

The grieving process takes time, and until now I have not been ready to relive the race that severely injured my beloved two wheeled ride.

My race season began in early May at the Fort Custer Stampede on May 4. After the harsh winter we had and little riding opportunities, I am sure I was not the only one feeling unprepared for this race. My wave took off at a faster than normal pace heading into the single track. I knew at that moment I was in trouble. Overall, it was an uneventful race (on my part), finishing middle of the pack in the sport class.

Amidst traveling for work the following week, I came across a Wednesday night race series where I was in North Carolina. Every Wednesday night mountain bikers met in different locations of Greensboro for the Racing in the Woods summer race series. New trails, new riders, new sights: why not? I raced sport class on a whole new hilly terrain. It was a constant course of down hill, up hill, corner, and repeat. The climbing made it hard to gain any type of momentum. I finished dead last. Looking at the results, the sport class riders which I raced, were posting the same lap times as the elite riders. No wonder I was feeling slow. Regardless, it was still a fun way to spend a Wednesday night while on the road. Definitely beat sitting in the hotel. (Side note: the trail system and mountain biking trails are amazing, and easily accessible through almost anywhere in the city. If you are ever near or in Greensboro, I highly suggest checking some out.)

In just a couple of short weeks it was time once again to hit familiar trials and race Yankee Springs TT. My recollection of this race is about vividly in my memory and as I think about it I still get choked up, or rather feel like choking someone. The start felt great and I was imageable to catch about 10 riders within the first 2 miles. Finally, I was in my groove. Around mile 4 I got a little too familiar with the terrain when I flew over my handlebars at a corner. Pick it up and keep on going. I was riding solid while struggling on the up hills. With about 3 miles left, a pink jersey rider flew past me and became my “rabbit”. With the finish line in sight I saw my “rabbit” only 6 bike lengths ahead with one rider in between us. I gave it all I had on the last corner and the flat and pushed forward. I flew up next to him ready to pass reaching 22 mph and my “rabbit” did not want to be passed. It gave the spectators quite a show when I flew over the handle bars off of the course a remarkable distance. The response told me it didn’t look good, and there was definitely some amazement that I was uninjured. My bike, however, didn’t make it out as easily. I ran my bike, with its wobbling bent front wheel, across the finish. Not the fastest, not the slowest, but I finished. Then I had to make the phone call home and break the bad news. My wife always tells me to not hurt the bike. “You’re insured, the bike is not” she says. Well, sorry to disappoint this time, but the bike took the brunt of the fall and it will never be the same again.

I ended my month of May with a Christmas gift. My wife and I were registered to run the Seahorse Duathlon on May 25th at Coldbrook Park. Luckily, this was not a race that required my mountain bike. Coming into this race I do not think I had even ran six miles, total, for the entire year so I was not expecting much. The run was challenging mixed with trail, paved and unpaved road and even some stairs. There were only 12 participants in the duathlon. I was happy to see that I was the third fastest on the bike portion overall (especially considering the beast, Danny Wolin, was number 1). I was 1st in my age group, as well as the only one in my age group. The highlight of this race was seeing so many other WSI teammates on the course and after.

May was eventful, to say the least. My mountain bike has been repaired and put back together. It’s rideable, but not the same. My custom Project 321 red rims no longer match. Still grieving (a.k.a. pouting). *insert sad face*

Race report written for Charles Elder by Nikki Elder (give credit where credit is due).

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Rollin’ on race days

Carson, Charles, Tony, Dwight, and Travis
Carson, Charles, Tony, Dwight, and Travis

Summer marks a busy season for WSI cyclists. Of course there are races almost every weekend. In addition, WSI loves to support the local community by volunteering at races. The past 2 weekends they have had the pleasure of leading out for both the Cereal City Classic on June 14th and the Cheetah Chase on June 21st.

The Cereal City Classic, an annual race held during Battle Creek’s Longest Breakfast Table Festival, is hosted by one of our great sponsors, the Battle Creek YMCA. They reported over 650 racers this year participating in both the 5k and 10k events. Racers even had the pleasure of meeting Tony the Tiger, himself.

Dwight, April, Angela, Mike I., and J.J. at the Cheetah Chase
Dwight, April, Angela, Mike I., and J.J. at the Cheetah Chase
The Cheetah Chase is a unique 5k through Binder Park Zoo. The course is a challenging run for racers, winding through the zoo and making use of it’s many terrains. Definitely not a course for the road bikes. This year the Cheetah Chase boasted over 1,500 runners for the 5k event.

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Girls on the Run is so much fun!

It was a beautiful sunny evening as cars busses and groves of people filed into Binder Park Zoo. The attraction today was not the animals, but over 700 3rd-5th grade girls from Calhoun County. The vibrant spirit in the air matched the bright green of the girls’ shirts and one could definitely feel that this was a special kind of event. Each and every one of these girls would be accomplishing great things today. Today was the culmination of a 12 week program where the girls learned about being joyful, confident and giving while incorporating running. Today was their final 5k and WSI was honored to once again be a part of the event.

Dwight, April, Rose, Marie, Andy, Angela, Paddi and Kevin
Dwight, April, Rose, Marie, Andy, Angela, Paddi and Kevin
As the girls filed into the start corral with their families lining the start line the excitement was overwhelming. The WSI riders rode past making their way to the start and a cheer rose up from the crowd. It was almost time. And what better way to support a Girls on the Run race with a cycling crew of mostly women? (Go girl power!)

The girls shouted out a “boom chicka boom” cheer and the race began. The WSI cyclists led the girls through the zoo, up the paths and boardwalks of Africa and back out into wooded trails all the way to the finish. As the cyclists rode back by signaling that the lead runner was a step behind, the spectators all rose to attention and cheered. Our cyclists did not stop there. They continued to pedal back into the woods riding in, encouraging and cheering on more and more girls until each and every girl had crossed the finish.

Although Katie and Nikki were not on bikes, they have had the honor of being coaches for the last 12 weeks.
Although Katie and Nikki were not on bikes, they have had the honor of being coaches for the last 12 weeks.
Volunteering at events like these is definitely a rewarding experience. Being able to see these girls and the pride and joy on their faces as they cross the finish line will make you want to come back every year, which is exactly what we have done. WSI Cycling has and will proudly support the achievements of our local girls working hard on building healthy lifestyles and self-confidence.

Girls on the Run is so much fun!
For more information about Girls on the Run locally please visit www.gotrofcalhoun.org

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Du-what? Another Seahorse Race Report

Today I competed in my first duathlon. 3.3 mile run, 20k bike, 3.3 mile run. The weather was beautiful and temperature perfect, although those competing in the triathlon may have thought differently with the water temps being a whopping 67 degrees.

imageMy theme today was slow and steady. I was doing this for me and no one else, I was my only competition. Within the first 10 minutes of the start I needed to remind myself of just that. I know my limits, I know my strengths and there was no way I was keeping up with the rest of the runners in the duathlon. Mind you, there were only about 12 of us so the field was small.

My biggest fear going into this new challenge for me was being last, I did NOT want to be last. I know, it doesn’t matter because I’m out there doing it, but last………

I was so incredibly nervous about the bike portion that my typical first mile nerves were present for the entire first run! And what a run it was! The Seahorse advertises the run as a fun course that keeps you going and having fun. Sure, if you consider crawling up steep hills, dodging roots, crossing moving bridges and climbing flights of stairs fun. In all honesty it did help the run fly by but the nature of the course was definitely challenging. Every turn I took there was a race director in a golf cart or the lead biker in front of me probably making sure I hadn’t passed out in the woods or gotten lost, because I was the last of the duathletes still running. I’d like to consider them my own personal escorts because I am THAT AWESOME!

As I ran into the bike corral I noticed about 3 bikes left in there which either meant there were 3 people behind me from the triathlon or three people already done with their bike and heading out on their run. I’d like to think it was the first option. Again, my fear is being dead last. And now for the moment of truth, exiting the transition area and clipping into my pedals in PUBLIC. I did it, without falling! Woohoo! That set the bike portion off to a great start!

imageThe first few miles were a breeze. I could catch my breath, get a drink and ……Lord Almighty, look at that hill! The “rolling hills” or as I would like to refer to the second half of the bike course, the never ending hill, was a challenge. I passed 5 cyclists. Yes, I counted every single one only because I couldn’t count the number of cyclists that passed me. Not only did they pass me uphill like I was standing still, but they were on their second loop of the course doing the Olympic distance triathlon! On a side note, I am humbled, grateful and encouraged beyond belief at the fact that almost every single one of them encouraged me to keep going with a “good job” or a “keep it up”. All of them amazing athletes both physically and personally! It’s the little things that keep us going sometimes and they definitely helped.

Nerve racking moment number two: dismounting. Slowing down, unclipping and running the bike back into transition area. I escaped embarrassment completely today. Zero falling, tripping or sprawling out flat on my face!

I knew the last run would be a grueling one because I had just done it. Déjà Vu in full effect as I was running through the swampy trail with nothing but the sounds of my breathing and the boisterous bullfrog, crawling up the hill in the woods, and heading over the river and through the woods. (No, I did not end at Grandma’s house.)

I finished. Dead last in the duathlon, but there were still triathletes behind me in the course so no one knew the difference. Shhh!

imageThere was a great presence there by my WSI cycling teammates. Many of them walking away with medals in hand. Imagine my surprise when my name was called at the awards. 3rd place. Only because there were only 3 females in the “Heifer” category. No, they do not really have a heifer category. I lovingly refer to it as that. In multi sport events when you are over a certain weight the men are called Clydesdales. I could never remember the name of the category for women (which I now know is Athena). I have jokingly always referred to it as the heifer category. So there it is, 3rd place, by default, which I have also already been told I need to stop referring to it as that and just claim my 3rd place. Again, just keeping things in perspective. Did I work hard for it? Sure. But I have to keep it real: real slow and real steady. That’s how I roll (and run).

~Nikki

Update: Apparently I was 3rd in my age group, not Athena. My surprise at even receiving an award blocked my ability to hear what it was for. Ha.

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Dashing through the snow……

December 14th, WSI Race Team volunteered their services at the inaugural Tinsel Toes 5K on one of the snowiest days of the season so far. The snow was falling all day leading to 4-5 inches of accumulation by race start. Running in the snow is tough; riding in the snow is even tougher. But what would a winter run through the lights be without a little snow? Almost 400 runners braved the cold and snow to participate. The WSI Race team led runners along the streets of Downtown Battle Creek and the unplowed linear path through the 5k course lit with beautiful Christmas displays. The lead runner finished in less than 22 minutes despite the snow. He even gave the bikers a run for their money on the unplowed paths, at times passing them. It has been rumored that Rudolph was also spotted on a bike that night!

A huge thank you to J.J. Ramon, Dwight Dunisick, Mike DeGraaf, David Goff, April Parrish, and Charles Elder for answering the persistent call of a crazy race director guiding the way “through the white and drifted snow.”

Charles waiting for the start

This event was a fundraiser for Girls on the Run of Calhoun County. Almost $8,000 was raised for the cause by this event!