*note* This is an old race report that I wanted to include in my blog archive. This was my first attempt at doing an Adventure Race. What a great experience and fun way to be introduced to Kentucky. Hard to believe that it was that long ago now. Adventure Racing is probably the most enjoyment that I’ve had doing endurance sports. And some day maybe I’ll find a team that wants a runner, sometime triathlete with weak rowing and climbing skills… you never know. Enjoy. *end note*
Jeep Kentucky Adventure Race - 2002
I made my way to Kentucky after a summer of mowing lawns, little exercise and one triathlon. Athletically it had been a depressive season. To make things worse, my first impression driving into Lexington, Kentucky were not that great. But to my relief, I found two groups of athletes:
A. dedicated triathletes at the University of Kentucky
B. the Todd’s Road Stumblers - a running group that meets on Saturday mornings
With a new scene and the social urging of Tyson Carroll, Eric Atnip and Beth Atnip I started a slow path to fitness. This adventure of fitness took a rather quick turn back into competition.
Team New Balance:
The local New Balance store was looking for a team to put into the Jeep Kentucky Adventure Race. Eric ended up getting in touch with the store manager and began to put together a team. The team needed four members which most likely was not going to include me, but one of the guys ended up not being able to participate. This open space was filled by me! The team members were now: Eric Atnip, Tyson Carroll, Dave Kundig, and myself.
Getting to Know Kentucky and Mountain Biking:
Everyone on the team had spent the summer competing in triathlons. This meant we needed to practice off road riding and riding as a team. While I originally had low expectations for Kentucky, these practices allowed me to experience Kentucky. I soon discovered that the outdoors in Kentucky are B-E-A-UTIFUL! There seems to be limitless possibilities of outdoor activity within a short drive of Lexington. To practice for the race we made frequent trips to Capital View Park (Frankfort), Carter Caves and Cave Run. These trips were for training purposes, but they became my weekly escape and rejuvenation. It is amazing how beautiful scenery, exercise and a few friends can change a person’s attitude.
Our Introduction to Adventure Racing:
For the four members of Team New Balance, this would be our first adventure race. We felt confident that we had the physical ability to be competitive, Tyson and Eric coming off Ironman Wisconsin, Dave returning from a summer at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and I, well that has been discussed. The areas we felt a little uncertain were: paddle sports, caving, team cohesiveness and navigation. What we discovered was some of these things work together.
The Race:
The start of the race went well as a short run lead into the mountain bike. The biking went fairly well considering the rough course due to the rain, the race the day before and Tyson using a brand new bike. The special challenges also gave little hindrance because the climbing was easily set up and Eric can pull a jeep without much help (got to love those big guys!). It was after the special challenges where our race truly began.
Navigation, Directions and Teamwork?
Wanting to make up time off the bikes we decided to use our finish and close some gaps. We took off running, gear on our backs but heads in the clouds. Running through the course, it became somewhat difficult to keep the team together (mistake #1). Moving quickly through check points we knew we had the caves just ahead. At one point we came to a junction where we took a left without too much thought or reference to our passport (mistake #2). The thing that got my attention were two guys just below the junction in a river bed, unfortunately I didn’t say anything. This was mistake #3 because you should never assume someone just happens to be in a river bed washing off?
As we continued up the other side of the river bed we quickly lost our way (we were way off course). This is where adventure racing and team competition really takes on its life. Wrong turn after wrong turn ultimately put us nowhere near our course. It also started damaging our team morale. As Tyson tried to put us back on course, Dave and I proceeded in frustration and Eric kept things as civil as the occasion allowed. Eventually we made our way back to our missed junction and passed the check point. Then we made another wrong turn (mistake #25 by this point)?! This time we were a little smarter and turned around making our way back to the caves. All said and done, 50 to 55 minutes passed from the time we first missed the cave entrance check point until the time we entered the caves.
Our Finished Adventure:
We used the caves to catch our breath and regain composure. At the exit of the caving section, Team New Balance began to shine. Check point after check point we found ourselves passing teams and gaining on the lead team. By the time we made the canoeing section we found ourselves back in first place, with the canoeing and a short rock scramble left.
Team New Balance did cross the finish line in first place, but it was a bitter-sweat feeling. We knew that a better race could have been run and there were two person teams and individuals that crossed that line before us.
Lessons Learned:
The sport of adventure racing is not a triathlon. Skills are needed, fitness is essential but so is knowledge of topo maps and team cohesiveness. There are also times in a race, even a sprint adventure race where you need to stop and evaluate the next move.
Thanks!! None of this would have been possible without the help of the New Balance Store-Lexington, Kentucky and the New Balance Company.
but Nikki has and she said this event is discussed in the book also.
