The Flint Mill Grind

Race 2 of the Mountain Empire Challenge

Race Report by Yak Daddy

Fun and Finish.  It's important to remember that. The Flint Mill Grind began with some pre-event tweaking of the roster.  Captain Yak found that the chiropractic adjustments, pain killers and steroid pack could not quell the excruciating pain in his hip.  He deemed himself useless.  Forty-three years of outdoor adventure, double-dog-dare risk-taking had been resurrected by a smash two races ago. 

Never to fear.  Kai-Yak came off the couch to assure we didn't default. (All the while eating the words she had so proudly touted, "At least I don't have to run the HARD one! HaHaHaHa")  She guided us through the paddle section of the Grind and kept the yaks on the trail.

Today, the team was made up by Yakity-Yak, Kai-Yak and Yak Daddy.   

The race was a triathlon: 5 mile paddle, 16 mile bike, 8 mile run through the Cherokee National Forest around Holston Lake.

The whole race area was beautiful beginning on South Holston Lake (1,750 ft.) with Holston Mountain (4,070 ft.) leering over us.  The cycling and the running events were in the National Forest. Most all of the race occurred on the slopes and ridgeline of Holston Mountain.

	The race started late for unknown reasons. Doesn't everyone look happy about that?!
We were in one of the few canoes on the paddle section, but hung in there respectfully-- we were not last...yet.  Kai-Yak at the stern kept us straight and in productive rhythm.

The bike section transition area was the original starting line.  Paved road soon turned to forest road before entering an extended section of single track that was in terrible condition from recent rains (some the night before) and all the bikes that preceded us. Yak-Daddy spent as much time beside his bike  as he did on it during this section.  Kai-Yak was crankin' and Yakity-Yak showed was feeling his oats and demonstrating what substantial upper body strength can do for mountain biking.  Yak-Daddy took mental notes.

The bike section seemed looonnng as we climbed up and down the foothill slopes of Holston Mountain.  The downhill runs were glorious!  The uphill sloggs tedious.We received a mental boost when the support team rendezvoused near the end of the bike section.
	At the run transition area we dumped bikes, refueled, hydrated well as a race official warned us the the life-threatening feat awaiting us for the next mile and 1,800 foot gain in elevation.  But, he assured us, there was a physician at the top with an Automated External Defibrillator.  Oh, that's good to know.
Kai-Yak was experiencing some discomfort at this point.  There is no telling how much she kept to herself.  Contrary to earlier absolute statements that she would NEVER again eat the energy mixture we affectionately (and accurately) describe as chum, she actually began to request it.  She's a total major dude.

It was an ass-kicker...and tons of fun. As we climbed up we also climbed back into the spring season, enjoying blooming rhododendron, mountain laurel, wildflowers, and an emerging vista of South Holston Lake behind us.  This is why we do this! (Keep in mind, THAT is the lake we started in!!)
Down the slope of the mountain, Yakity-Yak sought refuge in his I-Pod.  Kai-Yak and Yak-Daddy took in the lush stands of fern and oddest splash of lichen we've ever seen.  it clung to a rock like sheets of peeling green paint.  It's underside was black as soot.   Our finish was sublime.  I'll leave it at that. We ground the grind into the ground.  As it did us. Excellent!