The gun sounds and we are off into the darkness but where are we going? All we know is the little red needle is pointing toward the 52¼ mark on the compass and we are RUNNING! Before the race each team was issued three orienteering points (OPs). Teams plot these coordinates on their maps and follow a bearing using a compass to reach each point. "There it is, come on follow me I see it." "It" is a light stick. We record the special code from the OP on our passport and move quickly in the direction of the next OP. "Yee-ha, there is OP2. We are smoking this orienteering course. Hey is that a light? Yeah I see it too. Let's go! Hey, where did it go? There it is! Over there! Come on, follow me!" We soon realize we are chasing stars or aliens or far off lights that make us think it is the OP. Our navigator pulls us all together reminding us that we must use our map and the compass or we will be wandering in the woods all night. OP3! Who's your Daddy?! The team is totally psyched as this little mistake could have cost us hours but we regrouped and made it back on track. Arriving at CP1, our navigator checks us in with race officials as the rest of the team gets the bikes ready to go. Mounted on our noble steeds, we head out into the night headlights blazing and rear, red lights flashing… it's a beautiful thing. Our muscles welcome the downhill but we are chilled to the bone. In search of CP2 we question our position and stop to study the map. Imagine the scene… Four shivering well-educated adults huddled in the middle of a road trying to decide where they are as the wind blows cold rain sideways… making a tough situation even more challenging. A decision is made, and we are off once again. Finding CP2 brings a sigh of relief, as navigation was tough due to so many different trails and roads along the chosen path. Continuing our journey through the night we find our other CPs without much trouble and roll into the paddling transition just as the sun is coming up. Wetsuits will be necessary, as we will be sitting in cold river water for the next several hours. It's nice to sit down and rest the legs as we paddle in unison as the dawn of a new day gives us energy and the sense of accomplishment after completion of the first leg of the race. The river runs fast and the Class III rapids along the way make it an exciting twenty-mile trip in the rubber kayaks. Pulling the boats on shore we grab our gear, toss some iodine tabs in the water we scooped out of the river and set out to find the climb site. It's midday, the sun is out and life is good but the long trek ahead can take its toll as athletes have now been awake for over 36 hours. This is the time stomachs start rebelling against race food, feet begin to blister and the inner voices taunt us to give in to exhaustion. We set a good pace and alternate running with walking breaks. When two of our teammates are having trouble keeping up, we quickly redistribute weight from the slower mates' packs and keep moving. Having stronger teammates carry a heavier load is one of the best ways to equalize a team.
A quick, "On Rappel" then off we go one by one down the 125' rock face into the trees below. At the bottom, we attach to a zip line stretched across a river with our exit point being the middle of the river. The race staff cheerfully reports that the coed team just in front of us stripped down "butt naked" before they zipped across as a way to keep their clothes dry. Obviously, this was the highlight of the day for the climb site staff. A quick carabiner clip on to the rope, and away I go sailing through the air. Backpack dangling below me, I careen into the river. Splash! "Hey, can I do that again!" Slithering up the muddy bank of the river, we are all pretty stoked from the excitement of the zip line and make tracks to the bike transition. Reaching our bikes at CP7 the team is up but each one of us is remembering how cold it was last night on the bikes. Transitioning from one discipline to another always gives the team a boost of energy as you work a little different muscle group and it breaks up the monotony of the long grind. The first few miles are very technical and are proving to be very tough for one of our teammates. After a few close calls, it happens… over the bars and BANG down on the rocks -- a textbook "endo" right in front of me and all I can do is watch and hope that he is okay. "Dude, are you alright? Don't get up, catch your breath, relax, are you hurt?" Whew! He's okay and we are moving forward, walking our bikes as he regains his composure. A motto in all ultra endurance sports is CFM Constant Forward Motion. It doesn't always have to be fast, just constant. Before long, we are stopped in the familiar situation - huddled in the middle of the road, cold and wet looking at the map. After a quick review we decide to bushwhack, as there is no trail on the map connecting to the trail we need. The mountain laurel and rhododendron are so thick that we can hardly move. We end up throwing our bikes over the underbrush and crawling (literally) over it for hours. Finally, we emerge from the bush onto the trail and see some other teams coming toward us. "Hey, did you guys bushwhack?" "No way man, there's a great downhill trail that connects these two trails just east of our current location." Bummer! During the bush crawling session two of our mates started bonking pretty hard. After getting some food down we decided to tow the two bonking mates to equalize the team once again. Bike tow systems are typically made with an elastic material connecting two bikes together allowing a stronger rider to help the other along.
We hit CP9 and take a quick break to look at the map and head out. Looking for a trail off to our right, we stop several times to check out numerous possibilities. Finally we see our trail and make the turn, only to discover that it's going to be mostly a hike-a-bike. This is very typical in adventure racing and causes you to wish you could fold your bike and put it in your pack. If you are not riding your bike, it becomes a real burden as it gets caught on tree limbs, seemingly gaining weight as you push it up the steep hills, and every so often the pedal swings around and buries itself in your shin. 27 hours of non-stop adrenaline-pumping fun brings us face to face with the moment of truth as we hit the witching hour in the worst possible situation. We are pushing our bikes up steep rocky hills, through thick forest with blow down everywhere. It's cold and drizzling and we have on every piece of mandatory clothing trying to stay warm and at the same time stay awake. The pace is slow but there isn't much chance of speeding up until we make it through this section. Just when you think you can't take anymore hike-a-bike and we are literally dragging our bikes up slippery steep slopes, we come out on our anticipated fire road.
At this point I'm having a quiet personal celebration as I lead the team in a pace line on the road toward the finish. We push the pace and the team rolls strong as a unit quietly celebrating our accomplishment. Our navigator hollers, "There's our trail on the right!" We barely even slow down as we hit the rolling double track that takes us to the finish line. Now the energy is released, this is the stuff you don't know you have, the stuff you wish you could have used earlier in the race when someone was towing your bonking butt up a hill. But now, the horse smells the barn and the muscles suck up every bit of glycogen available and you're able to get out of the saddle, giving it your best Lance Armstrong impression, as you sail toward the finish line with smiles plastered on your face. For me, the feelings are overwhelming at times and the joy busts out as uncontainable elation knowing that I conquered my inner demons and worked with my teammates to push through the pain to victory. I'm feeling the love as the team hug is underway and the champagne is spraying. As the celebration subsides, it's on to telling war stories with the other teams that have made it in, race staff and volunteers. As I tell stories, I can't quit smiling. This is my tenth adventure race, but the feeling is the same each time… oh what a feeling to push your body and mind past the comfort zone, among friends, to see what you can really do, and realize once again the human body and mind is totally amazing given the chance to perform. Godspeed!
For additional information on Adventure Racing visit the author at Slow Twitch Athletics, 118 Spencer Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829 (719) 685-4433 www.slowtwitchathletics.com
Adventure Races:
(keep in mind that many of these are annual even if the dates are past)
**SPOTLIGHT**
September 2004
Capital City Adventure Challenge
Harrisburg, PA www.capcitychallenge.com
This exciting 4-6 hr. event tests the mental, physical and emotional skills of each 3-member team as they run the gauntlet of trials. At least 25 miles of on and off road mountain biking and running; canoeing the mighty Susquehanna River; and team obstacles throughout the entire course. The CT&A Staff have actively participated in this race for years.
Nov 15-16th, 2003
The 3rd Annual Raging Russell Adventure Race
Cornelia, GA www.ragingrussell.com
18-20 hour "dusk to dawn" format that covers 70-75 miles of US Forest Service terrain in the Northeast Georgia mountains.
December 3-7, 2003
Maui Adventure Race
Maui, Hawaii www.mauisportsinstitute.com
The Maui Adventure Race is a Pan Pacific Adventure Race Series Championship Event. A continuous 36-48 hr, 180 mile expedition style event held on the exotic island of Maui Hawaii.
January 16-18, 2004
The North Georgia Adventure Race
Blue Ridge, Georgia www.ngar.org
30-hour adventure race will take three person teams through some of the most beautiful & scenic sections of the north Georgia mountains.
March 27th, 2004
AdventureXstream Adventure Race Series
Moab, UT www.GravityPlay.com
12 and 24-hour courses that will take solo athletes and teams into the most spectacular venues in the rocky mountain region.
April 3, 2004
Youth Odyssey Adventure Race
Corpus Christi, Texas - Mustang Island www.youthodyssey.org
2 person teams. Mt. Biking, Trail Running, Sea Kayaking.
April 3, 2004
5th Annual Ascent Outdoors Adventure Race
Nchatchez Trace State Park, Wildersville TN www.ascentoutdoors.com
Canoeing, orienteering/land navigation, trekking, and mountain biking. |
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