CLR Team Major Chaos

05/08/2020

Hey Guys,

I'm hoping you guys are all doing well, keeping busy during our current lockdown period and are super happy! Ok, well maybe not the super happy part.

As of today, CLR is on and still scheduled for 31 July - 01 Aug. CLR folks are basing that on the our current situation, and do provide updates on their main website https://cascaderelays.com/covid-19/. Unfortunately the Bend Beer Chase had to be re-scheduled for this Fall.

This reminds me of a crazy assessment & selection course I completed a long time ago....multiple weeks of pain, injuries, suffering and sleep deprivation. Everyday we would wake up after getting a few hours sleep and attempt to stand in a formation to receive our briefings on our "task of the day." We only received one "task" per day, some were easier then others, some sucked really bad, but every-time the instructor would end his presentation by saying "candidate do the best you can." You can imagine I got sick of this praise do the best you can every single day, but after several weeks I realized they weren't looking for the professional athlete, nor were they looking for the crazy masochist...….they were looking for inner resiliency and personnel strength.

I would argue that each and everyone of you have those same traits of inner resiliency and personnel strength. Each one of you have completed multiple relays, long runs, training events and difficult challenges in life just as I have and these times are no different. Everyday I get up and say that stupid phase to myself....Mike, do the best you can (yes I do talk sometimes 3rd person which is completely normal). I would encourage you to find whatever method works best and do it.

I will continue to keep you guys updated on info as it is released by the CLR team. Whatever happens with this years' relay, I will be looking forward to hanging out, having an incredible Oregon microbrew and sharing the stench of your sweaty ass in the van soon again.

Keep healthy and be safe.

Mike

A Message to our Cascade Relays Family: COVID-19 Update Last Updated: May 7th, 2020 RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS – STATE OF OREGON In light of Governor Kate Brown’s recent announcement to begin a phased reopening of the State of Oregon and its impact and restrictions on sporting ...

03/23/2020

Team MAJOR CHAOS

Hope all of you are staying mentally & physically healthy! The CLR is a long way off and as of right now it is still a go. For those who have not paid yet, don't worry about it until this bug is completely gone and the relay is 100%.

The races I signed up for in April have been cancelled so hopeful this will pass soon and we can get back on it!! If anyone of you living or traveling to Central Oregon want to join me on a training run, just let me know. I am virus free and have had every immunization known to mankind so I'm confident I will not get you sick...….or you can just run 6 feet behind me and stare at my backside :) I will be spending most of my time at the cabin and the firepit benches have been positioned for proper social distancing so visitors are welcome!

Keep safe & healthy!

Mike
Team MAJOR CHAOS

CLR 2020

Tentative Van Assignments
Van 1
1 – Anthony – Preferred Slot
2 – Bill – Preferred Slot
3 – Reggie – Preferred Slot
4 – Isaias
5 – Robin
6 – Arturo

Van 2
1 – Daniel
2 – Chelsea
3 – Tammy
4 – Jen
5 – Amy - Preferred Slot
6 – Mike - Preferred Slot

10/14/2019

Team Major Chaos will be at it again, running the CLR for a 12th year!!

08/07/2019

Doing it again!!

08/04/2019

Yesterday CLR Team Major Chaos finished their 11th year running the Cascade Lakes Relay. I want to thank the team for their hard work, strong abilities to deal with pain, the smell of runners in the morning, and for their flexibly for changes at the last minute. I especially want to thank Elise for her last minute offer to help the team and earn some pain and suffering herself. Thanks a bunch Elise.

For the rest of the team members, I am already planning for a 12th year of running the CLR so lets keep in touch!!

07/29/2019

Team Major Chaos,

Yes we are just one week out!! Hope everyone is doing well and ready to have some pain/fun next weekend.

My cabin has plenty of room for the entire team; beds, couches, floor space or if you want to camp outside tent-space (van 1 will have the Team Room, van 2 will have the main cabin). For those who have not completed the CLR before, here is a short list of things I bring that works for me. For those who do not know me well, I can live anywhere and with whatever, so my list might be short....so please add as you desire, but the van storage is always a little tight:

Personal Items (Fits into 1 med size bag/backpack)
- Sleeping system (inner bag, waterproof bivy sack, sleeping pad, poke-proof ground cover): Sliver Lake, La Pine High School and Elk Lake are the CLR official rest areas. All are great, but only La Pine HS has cots. Good to have your own so you can close your eyes when you can.
- Snacks, breakfast items, hydration powder/tabs/mix: There are a few spots to grab food during the CLR, but it is limited. Good to have something just in case. I usually carry tabs, gels and snacks to keep my body going. La Pine has a Subway (open 0700-2200hrs) and McDonalds (open 0530-2300hrs)….limited but works when needed. There are a few stores in La Pine, but don't count on them being open while traveling thru due to their limited hours.
- Protection from the Elements: I usually care sun screen, bug spray, and a small first aid stuff (band aids, bio-freeze, Ranger candy, Body Glide, 100mph tape).
- Clothing: This year the temps will range between lower 40's at night to mid 80's during the day. I usually carry a layering system and always have a light weight rain-jacket just in case of the passing t-storm. I also carry extra socks, shorts, and shirts for each leg.....don't want to kill everyone off in Van 1!
- Safety Equipment: Everyone needs their own (1) reflective vest, (2) headlamp, (3) red flashing lights for your back.
- Hygiene Kit & towel: Cold showers at Silver Lake and hot ones at La Pine HS (towels & soap included with donation to the local sports programs)...….plus plenty of lakes & rivers to jump into along the CLR.

Van Items
- Both vans need a med/large cooler: I have one for van 2, and I believe Angie has van 1 covered
- Both vans need a water jug/system: There are water points along the CLR, but might be limited depending on the time you pass thru the exchange points. Count on having extra water in your van for your segment (6 legs) to ensure all runners have enough water for that section.
- Race Guide and map: I have a copy for both vans
- Runners on Road signs: These will be picked up when van 1 checks in the team at Diamond Lake early Friday morning.

Here is the link to everything you need to know about the CLR:
https://cascaderelays.com/overnight-relays/cascade-lakes-relay/prepare-to-race/

Hopefully this info helps you to prepare for the run, and if anyone has anything to add PLEASE send it to all :)

Mike

07/09/2019

Hey Team,

Hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend! We are a little more then 3 weeks out, so let me pass you guys some info:

Link Up: We will be meeting up at my place, anytime after 3pm on Thursday 01 August to meet each other eat and hydrate!! This will be a Pasta potluck, so below is the breakdown on what to bring. Please pick something and let us know.....so we all don't get the same thing :) If you have any dietary restrictions please let me know.

Pasta & Sauce: Mike
Chicken (boneless, skinless):
Sides:
Salads:
Snacks:
Non-Alcoholic Beverages:
Beer:
Etc ??:

Sleep-over at the Cabin: I have plenty of room at the cabin for the entire team, so unless you live close (Bend), bring your sleep system and pillow for Thursday night at the cabin. Van 1 will need to leave for the starting line and check-in around 6am Friday, and Van 2 will probably leave the cabin around 1pm for the link-up.

Van Decorations: Angela, Stacy and John have volunteered to develop some creative designs to decorate our vans so if you have any ideas and/or want to be involved with this, please let them know! Angela is looking for some additional paraphernalia for the race.

Van Equipment: Both vans will need the following, so please bring your gear:
1 - Reflective vest for all runners
2 - Headlamps for all runners
3 - Four red flashing lights for front & back for the runners (2 sets in each van)
4 - "Runners on Road" signs and orange safety flag, provided at the start line
5 - Large cooler/ice chest, large water jug for each van.
6 - Personal running gear (if you have any question on this, reach out to me directly)
7 - Race Guide and Relaty Map. Already printed out, and at my cabin.
8 - Individual sleep system, shower/hygene kit/towel, sun screen, bug spray, hydration systems (bottles and/or bladders).

Van 2 Additional Cost: Angela was very helpfull and volunteered her van for Van 1, but I had to rent a van for Van 2. All riding with me in Van 2, will be asked to share the cost for the van rental and we were fortunate to receive a donation from Lori who could not run. The total cost, minus the donation is $80/runner in Van 2. If this is an issue, please contact me directly.

This a ton of stuff, but if I left anything out, or if you have additional questions please shoot me and/or the group a message. I also place these emails on the https://www.facebook.com/CLRTeamMAJORCHAOS/ so we get the info out.

Talk to you again soon!

Mike

CLR Team Major Chaos has been running the Cascade Lakes Relay since 2010. The team is comprised of people from all over the PNW!!

07/03/2019

Have a great 4th holiday! Remember safety during this festive day with illegal fireworks, but in reality all I need is your legs & lungs next month.....so fingers are optional! ;)

07/01/2019

Guys,
Just received our team start time! Van 1 will kicking off our pain, sweat and fun Friday morning at 8:00. Below are the final van assignments and associated legs. Here is a link for the course map, to check out your legs:

https://cascaderelays.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/CLR_atlas_2019_LowRes.pdf

Van 1
1 – Reggie (1, 13, 25)
2 – Isaias (2, 14, 26)
3 – Robin (3, 15, 27)
4 – Angela (4, 16, 28)
5 – Josue (5, 17, 29)
6 – Bill (6, 18, 30)

Van 2
1 – Noel (7, 19, 31)
2 – John (8, 20, 32)
3 – Michelle (9, 21, 33)
4 – Arturo (10, 22, 34)
5 – Stacy (11, 23, 35)
6 – Mike (12, 24, 36)

Little more then a month away, so PLEASE stay healthy and keep on training! I will send additional details regarding our link-up location and times for our potluck meet-greet on Thursday 01 August.

Mike