My Race Report

Well, I had another goal come to life this weekend when I ran my first Adventure Race! This has always been my initial goal, way before surgery and way before I even imagined I could do it. But at my first meeting with my surgeon I told him I was going to run an adventure race and this weekend I did! For those of you who don't know what an Adventure Race is, it's kind of like a triathlon but with different disciplines like mountain biking, trail running, rock climbing and rappelling, kayaking and lots of other inventive stuff (I've heard of everything from riding a camel to inline skating to puzzle solving are involved - always interesting!) Adventure Racing is all about teamwork and navigation, not so much speed (although you are going fast the whole time!). At the beginning of the race you are given a topo map of the area and coordinates of where checkpoints will be - you map the checkpoints then figure out how to get to those places to get what they call a passport stamped. You are given points for each of these check points so it's pretty important to map it all correctly. Once you figure out the checkpoints you have to figure out the best route to get to those places while doing the required discipline - in this case we had to start with trail running for the first 6 points and end with mountain biking for the final 5. We did a total of about 12 miles for this race, but many races can go for as long as 10 days and over 700 miles! I don't think I am quite ready for those races yet We called our team Wandering Soles and had 4 hours to finish the race - we were able to do it in 3 hours and 50 minutes! That was our goal, to make it back before the cut off and we did! We actually went pretty fast but had tons of problems finding a couple of the checkpoints - we spent over an hour looking for one of them and that killed our time. But we had fun and made our goal, so it was all good in the long run. And we weren't even last - there were two other teams that beat us back to the finish but they didn't find many of the checkpoints so we ended up being 9th out of 11 - pretty good! It was a great experience and it got me totally hooked on adventure racing! I plan on doing another 4 hour race June 8th with my brother and then I am looking at a 12 hour race in July or September (am I crazy or what!) That race will be much tougher and longer but there is something about the whole thing that really made me want to continue to push myself even more. There is an amazing comaraderie among racers and an honor code that you have to help another team if they are having any difficulties or are in trouble. Lots of teams will race together to pool resources and support each other, despite also competing with the other team. It's just a great sport and one that I am growing to love. I can't wait to do more races! It's always amazing to me to be around people who don't know what my life use to be like and the weight that was such a burden to me. But what I have found in talking with other racers is that they have also overcome things in their lives to be there - cancer, divorce, mid-life crisis, etc. I'm just one of the many who has come through some sort of crazy journey and somehow survived. Just imagine if we had never had the opportunity to have this surgery what a different life we would be living, or continue to live? Through the entire race I just kept thinking about that, how much has changed, how much I have changed and how amazing it was that I was able to do all the things in the race with no problem. I can't imagine going back to what my life was before - this life is just too much fun! Sorry for my ramblings guys, just a lot I have been thinking about. I have loaded pics on my profile if you want to see the team I ran with and the area we ran in - it was a great day!

Today I was telling my husband what you did and he agrees, you are awesome.  You are the most down to earth and genuinely pleasant person I've had the fortune to meet in a long time, and yet you are also one of the most inspiring people I have ever met.  How do you not have a big head with what you've accomplished?  Look how far you've come!  Congratulations, I am smiling big for you

Your post made me cry - what is up with that girl? First you do it to Kix, and now me. But it was very sweet and thank you for that. Got to admit, I felt the same about you two - i think I need to get down there and see you guys again! (I am thinking about doing the San Antonio half marathon in November, so it just may happen) Love ya Pam

What can I say, I'm the master Half marathon, wow! 

Hey Pj,  Does one person on the team do a certain portion of each race or do you do the entire race as a team?  It sounds like a ton of fun!   How amazing you are!!! I so hope I can do things like this one day :)  Thanks for posting all you do! If you don't know it your a huge inspiration and taking the time to post and letting everyone know its possible for them too.  Thanks! Estelle

 

 

P.S   I wet on my first Adirondack hike last weekend , I couldn't help but think of you on that mountain! 

 

Estelle

You have to complete everything as a team, it is very oriented toward not so much speed but teamwork and navigation - that's why many of the participants are older (little easier on the body than say ultra marathons! - the top team in the world are all in their mid to late 40's.) It is a lot of fun and the thing about Adventure Racing is everyone is there for fun - you hear that throughout the race... "are you having fun?" It's a key part of the whole thing, which is why I love it. Everyone really cheers the other on - it's competitive but in a friendly way. And thanks for the kind words - I hope others can get as excited as I am and see that anybody can do this! Big Hugs Pam

You inspire me, PJ, and I'm so excited that you had such a great time on the first of many adventure races!  It sounds like a very cool experience, and fulfilling in so many different ways.  I just don't have words for how happy I am for you!!!! Kellie

Thanks hon - you are such a support to me and everyone else and I always appreciate it. I still want to get you on top of a mountain though - we've got to plan it soon! Hugs Pam

I saw the header and thought you might be giving an opinion on your peculiar state rep, Doug Bruce.    Your race sounds like great fun, and I'll bet you and your brother will have a ripsnorting time.  Congratulations on achieving yet another milestone! Kix

Oh Kix, please don't judge us Colorado Springers by that guy!!!! I had NOTHING to do with that.    LOL Jana