Made my third attempt today to do my annual solstice disc golf marathon where I try to play as many distinct holes as I can in a day. Two years ago I got up to 168. The primary goal was for 200+, but I didn't have exactly have the most convenient route. I'd have settled for bettering the record.
The first two attempts had been nixed by threats of bad weather (which never panned out) and recent issues with illness and fatigue, and the forecast for today wasn't looking any better, but figured this would be my last attempt before losing too many daylight hours.
I tried to give myself plenty of preparation and rest before heading out. Got my food supplies, discs and clothes ready Wednesday afternoon before heading to league, which got done with Wednesday around 7:30 then went home to go to bed. I had to be up by 3:30 to drive 110 miles to be at the starting point by dawn. Problem was my body didn't want to sleep. 10:00 passed, then 11:00, then midnight, no sleep. Finally around 3:00, I just gave up and started packing the car.
Got to my starting point around 6:00. Lost a disposable Teebird on a stupidly designed water carry hole only five holes in. Didn't shoot well, but finished the first nine holes in 22 minutes before driving 10 miles to the second course.
You know what I hate about playing in the early morning? There is sticky as hell dew everywhere, which is all the more sticky with the chum of cottonwood trees in it. After the first 27 holes, my socks were soaked (and I only brought one backup pair), which led me to start reconsidering if I wanted to go through with this.
Nonetheless, on to course #3, which is set up with all long pins and has tall grass OB. Halfway through the course, I feel myself starting to catch my groove, thinking I can pull this off.
Then I hit the last three holes and spend some amount of time on all of them looking for my disc, which just kills my mood. I stop after that round to have a Mountain Dew and a turkey sandwich, before heading to hit the monster course's easier twin, which despite being easier, is notorious for its disc eating cedar trees.
And after catching trees on the first three holes, being at about 24 hours with no sleep, and having to deal wet socks, hay fever, my sciatic nerve, mosquitoes, and the still possible onset of bad weather I decided to pack it in. To make the gas money spent worthwhile, I went downtown to the local disc golf shop to drown my sorrows in some new plastic. I went back to play the easier course afterwards to its short positions, but the air was starting to get humid and man it was like I was dragging a bowling ball around.
After I finished there, I went home. Only 63 holes into my 200+ hole quest. Some days just aren't your day.
